Friday, March 15
Be Taunted
WHAT: Monty Python’s Spamalot
WHERE: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis
WHEN: 8 p.m.
The profoundly funny musical from 2005 returns for just three performances. This is the musical that arguably made latter-day shows like The Book of Mormon possible, which isn’t surprising given that Spamalot choreographer Casey Nicholaw also co-directed Mormon. Learn more at hennepintheatretrust.org
Friday, March 15
This Land Was Their Land
WHAT: Beauty, Heart & Spirit
WHERE: Minneapolis Photo Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The iconic photographs taken by Edward Curtis, a St. Paul native, of Native Americans around the turn of the 19th century are displayed by their foremost collector, Christopher Cardozo. The 80 images comprise one of the largest Curtis exhibitions ever, and the opening will feature live music, food, etc. Learn more at photographyatthecenter.org
Saturday, March 16
The Betrayal
WHAT: Kingdom Undone
WHERE: Southern Theater, Minneapolis
WHEN: 3 and 7:30 p.m.
This unique passion play, unraveling the last days of Jesus and Judas, debuted last year at the Southern and won praise for its ambitious and objectively challenging take. At the time, audience members proposed an annual return, making it The Christmas Carol of Easter. With such eager fans, that could well be the case. Learn more at kingdomundone.com
Saturday, March 16
Austin Comes Here
WHAT: Kat Edmonson
WHERE: Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, Minneapolis
WHEN: 8 p.m.
While Twin Cities musicians are ensconced in Austin, Texas, at the South-by-Southwest Festival, Edmonson is making the reverse trip. She opened every night for Lyle Lovett on his recent tour (he raved about her “old-time jazz quality”) and treads a similar jazz/country/pop territory. The great young Belgian singer-songwriter, a kind of quirky European Ryan Adams, opens the show. Learn more at dakotacooks.com
Sunday, March 17
Luck of the Irish?
WHAT: Musical Offering
WHERE: Sundin Music Hall, St. Paul
WHEN: 3 p.m.
Members of the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra join the Musical Offering musicians for a St. Patrick’s Day afternoon of, well, not Irish music. Viennese, if you please. Though one of the composers featured was part Irish, part Viennese. Learn more at musicaloffering.org
Sunday, March 17
A Crazy Heart
WHAT: Ryan Bingham
WHERE: First Avenue, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 p.m.
His weather-beaten vocals and simple, melodic guitar playing earned “The Weary Kind,” his single from the movie Crazy Heart, an Oscar, Golden Globe, and a Grammy. The success stunned the 31-year-old a little, but he’s back with new music that expands the palette, adding drums and keyboards and guitars that howl a bit on occasion. Learn more at first-avenue.com
