Spotlight: Arena Dances

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 5:19 PM

ARENA DANCES

Opens Thursday: Choreographer Mathew Janczewski has been behind the scenes for the past few years directing Arena Dances but he'll return to the stage to perform a new solo work that celebrates the fierce and confident self. The program also includes a new quartet ,"Huddle," about the expectations and surprises within male friendships, plus the local premiere of "Everything Reflects," an exploration of the sort of close, personal connections that seem almost uncanny. (8 p.m. Thu.-next Sat., 5 p.m. next Sat. [pay as able], 7 p.m. next Sun. $20. The Lab Theater, 700 N. 1st St., Mpls. 612-333-7977, www.thelabtheater.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER

BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT

After his brilliant star turn in the down-and-dirty "Shakes the Clown" some years back, and his more recent (and we presume more lucrative) double role writing and directing the latest Robin Williams flick, "World's Greatest Dad," it's nice to know that nonpareil whiner Goldthwait hasn't grown too big for stand-up in a comedy club, his first forte. Anarchic yet industrious, Bobcat has had a career that's all over the map, with touchstones including: close boyhood friendship and later working association with SpongeBob SquarePants (aka Tom Kenny); Nirvana pal and opening act; "Police Academy" movie series regular; veteran of two Twisted Sister videos, and former director of TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live." In person, you'll feel his pain, and laugh at it mercilessly. (8 p.m. Thu., 8 and 10:30 p.m. next Fri. and Sat. $18-$33. Acme Comedy Co., 708 N. 1st St., Mpls. 612-338-6393.)

TOM SUROWICZ

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