THEME:   phrases containing seven consonants in a row   
GOOD ONES:     Number of consecutive letters… {& theme)   SEVEN   
Facetious sequence?   AEIOU [part of the theme, but I don't understand what is 
facetious about it]   
Inanimate carousel rider   SUITCASE [I thought some chaise on a merry-go-round]   
Minnesota twins?   ENS [two 
n's in the state name] [Twins, the team, comes from the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul)]      
BTW:   I enjoyed the cluing throughout and especially the theme which seems particularly difficult to devise.         
RATING:  
 
 
   Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun