BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

Opening: History Theatre reprises a big hit from 2009. Nicholas Freeman portrays the hiccupy pioneer of rock 'n' roll with a backup band that is directed by Gary Rue. This popular jukebox musical runs through the highlights of Holly's brief career, which tragically ended in Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1959. Ron Peluso directs the History Theatre production.

  • 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Thu.; 2 p.m. Sun., 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul, $10-$38, 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

Opening: Nimbus gives Joan Didion's play a regional premiere with a solo performance by Barbara Berlovitz. Adapted by Didion from her own National Book Award-winning memoir, the play explores a series of tragedies that befell the author. Her husband died suddenly and then her daughter died from a hematoma. Liz Neerland directs Berlovitz, known best as a founder of Theatre de la Jeune Lune.

  • 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. & Thu., 3 p.m. Sun., Nimbus Theatre, 1517 Central Av. NE., Mpls.; $10-$15, 612-548-1380 or nimbustheatre.com

HOT JAZZ AT DA FUNKY BUTT

Opening: Interact Theater is bringing in Rue Fiya, a hot jazz ensemble from New Orleans, for this show that looks into the legendary early days of the musical form. The piece, written by Interact artistic director Jeanne Calvit and Dario Tangleson, is set in 1900 and mixes myth, voodoo and music to create a wild show. Aaron Gabriel, an Ivey-winning composer, kicks in original music, and Rue Fiya promises improvisation.

  • 7:30 p.m. Fri. & Thu., 6 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m. Wed., ends May 21. The LabTheater, 700 N. 1st St., Mpls., $15-$22 -- $75 for Sat. opening gala, 612-333-7977 or thelabtheater.org

SEXY LIBRARIAN: FILE UNDER ROCK MUSICAL

Opening: Joking Envelope, the comedy company formed by Joseph Scrimshaw, gets into the musical game with this story about a librarian who stumbles upon an ancient spell and transforms herself into a monster -- a beautiful monster, of course. It's a take on Jekyll and Hyde, with some rock music and obsession mixed in. Anna Sundberg stars as the librarian. Scrimshaw wrote the script and lyrics, composer Mike Hallenback kicked in the music.

  • 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. & Thu., Minneapolis Theatre Garage, 711 W. Franklin Av., Mpls. $15-$22, 612-280-9210 or jokingenvelope.com