Dances with goats – and bunnies, and a tortoise – at Children's Theatre

Award-winning choreographer and dancer Ann Carlson has used animals in her work before to highlight the continuities between humans and the creatures we depend on for comfort, companionship and food. But what's different about "Animal Dance," her latest show that's premiering at the Children's Theatre, is the sheer number of creatures onstage. Carlson will move among baby goats, therapy dogs, bunny rabbits, a hen, goldfish and an 80-year-old tortoise in this 40-minute show pitched to the preschool set. She's betting that this youthful audience innately gets postmodern dance, especially since it's choreographed with cute, cuddly creatures. There's also an element of unpredictability in a show that mixes the animal and the human — potentially amping up the zaniness and fun. (10:30 a.m. & 4 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m. & 4 p.m. Sat., 10:30 a.m. Tue.-Thu. Ends May 1. Children's Theatre, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. $16-$21. 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.)