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New York City has its off-Broadway shows and so do we. It just may be the best-kept secret in town (no coverage from the local paper), but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time: inexpensive, fun, and best of all, full of local talent—some of it right under our noses. Last night was the debut of the Image Theater’s Mill City Minutes 2007, a show of short plays and dances performed by local actors, directors, and writers. Shown in the photo, Team Rithim, a new dance troupe of teens from Lowell and Lawrence, do an amazing dance (energy, synergy and attitude) to their own mix of rap music. The dance was one of two in the show; the other was Catch 22 Dance Troupe, which performed to original music. A great thing about Mill City Minutes is the variety and range of the show—two very different dances and seven short plays, each lasting about 10 minutes: quick snippets and then it’s on to the next story. Overall, the plays were edgy, thought-provoking, touching, or laugh-out-loud funny—just what you would expect from alternative theater and definitely worth the $20 admission fee. In addition, it showcased talent from local folks I didn’t know were involved in theater such as Jim Neary from the school department, June Sweet (our own school committee secretary), Walter Wright (fellow LTC board member), and Kate Harmon (wife of Sean from Harmon’s Paints). The show also included a play written and directed by newcomer Kate Bisantz, a LHS alumna and recent graduate of Emerson College, whose Circle of Fire can only be described as a crazy, witty dash into sarcastic surrealism. (My husband and I loved it.) In fact, we enjoyed the entire evening and recommend you experience Lowell’s other street for theater. Now playing at the McDonough Theater (LHS Freshman Academy) at 30 Paige Street, see Mill City Minutes Sept. 21, 22 at 8 p.m.