'The Unscripted Minnesota Holiday'

If you like a few surprises tossed in amid all that seasonal predictability, this improv "Mad Libs meets 'It's a Wonderful Life' " musical being reprised from its debut run last year just might be the ticket. Created and directed by Tane S. Danger of the Theater of Public Policy, the interactive show about a small town's Christmas festivities threatened by an evil villain lets the audience choose the evening's theme and which actor will play the hero. Different guest baddies for each performance include Dane Stauffer on closing night. 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 20 (plus a special late-night, racier version at 10 p.m. Dec. 18) at the Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. $13 in advance, $15 at the door, $6 for kids under 12. www.bryantlakebowl.com, 612-825-8949.

Kristin Tillotson