Friday, November 18
Return of the King
WHAT: I Wish You Love
WHERE: Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
Back by popular demand just one year later, this bio-musical featuring Dennis Spears as Nat “King” Cole sold out its first run and a stint at the Kennedy Center. Spears is reprising his Ivey Award–winning role for just 16 performances. Learn more at penumbratheatre.org
Friday, November 18
Kling does Christmas
WHAT: JOY: A Holiday Cabaret
WHERE: Lab Theater, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
Storyteller Kevin Kling is back with a new holiday show, this time co-starring Eriq Nelson, Ivey Award–winner Aaron Gabriel, and singer-songwriter Ryan Lee, as directed by Tod Petersen, who knows something about holiday shows (A Christmas Carole Petersen). They’ll join forces with Interact Theatre, featuring performers with disabilities, for this inclusive, music-filled show set in a supper club. Learn more at thelabtheater.org
Saturday, November 19
First-chance dance
WHAT: Zenon Dance Company
WHERE: Cowles Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 8 p.m.
The Twin Cities’ finest modern and jazz dance company offers two world premieres in their annual fall show, as well as reprises of Danny Buraczeski’s “Swing Concerto” and Morgan Thorson’s much-loved “Deluxe Edition.” Learn more at thecowlescenter.org
Saturday, November 19
New moves
WHAT: TU Dance
WHERE: O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Paul
WHEN: 8 p.m.
Alvin Ailey veterans Uri Sands and Toni Pierce-Sands return with a world premiere—a lively and nuanced take on daydreams—and a range of repertory works, including the intimate duet “And Let Go,” bewitchingly performed to a spoken-word relaxation tape. Learn more at tudance.org
Sunday, November 20
Home play
WHAT: After Miss Julie
WHERE: James J. Hill House, St. Paul
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
Leah Cooper directs this sexy, tense update of August Strindberg’s 1888 play about taboos and class in the engaging environs of the Hill House, largely in the kitchen. Staged by Gremlin Theatre, it recasts the action in 1945, after Churchill and the Conservatives were upset in elections by the Labour Party, and, in the spirit of liberation, the young mistress of a country mansion pursues the family chauffeur. Learn more at gremlin-theatre.org
Sunday, November 20
The sweet ’70s
WHAT: Yesterday Once More: A Tribute to the Carpenters
WHERE: Orchestra Hall
WHEN: 2 p.m.
The vivacious Sarah Hicks leads the Minnesota Orchestra, joined by vocalists Joanna Jahn, John Trones, and Jen Burleigh-Bentz, in a trip through the lush, memorable hits of Karen and Richard Carpenter. Learn more at minnesotaorchestra.org
