» Church Basement Ladies
Take a look in the basement of a rural Minnesota church in 1965 where four distinct characters organize the food and solve problems in their own humorous way. Continuing. Plymouth Playhouse, I-494 & Hwy 55, Plymouth, 763-553-1600, www.plymouthplayhouse.com
» Carousel
The Tony Award-winning Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of love and forgiveness is brought to life by the Nautilus Music-Theater. Opens Jan. 18. Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612-340-1725, www.southerntheater.org
» Democracy
Set in 1969 West Germany, this political thriller by playwright Michael Frayn captures the glory years of Willy Brandt’s rise to power as chancellor. Opens Jan. 19. Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul, 651-291-7005, www.parksquaretheatre.org
» The Glass Menagerie
The Tennessee Williams classic follows the tale of the Wingfield family and daughter Laura’s struggles, through the memories of her brother, Tom. Opens Jan. 20. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis, 612-377-2224, www.guthrietheater.org
» Harriet and Walt
Local author Nancy Carlson’s characters come to life in this story about siblings Harriet and Walt facing the first snow of the winter. Opens Jan. 19. Stages Theatre Company, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, www.stagestheatre.org
» Loot
See this outrageous black comedy of greed, lust and hypocrisy by the notorious British playwright Joe Orton. Jan. 5-28. Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, 612-333-3010, www.theatreintheround.org
» Tale of a West Texas Marsupial Girl
Follow the story of a clever and curious little girl (95 percent girl, 5 percent marsupial) as she bravely stands up to her town and learns to be herself. Opens Jan. 16. Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612-874-0400, www.childrenstheatre.org
» Triple Espresso
This hilarious comedy focuses on a trio of performers trying to make it big in a three-man show of fame and failure. Continuing. Music Box Theatre, 1407 Nicollet Avenue, 612-871-1414, www.tripleespresso.com/minneapolis
