Fringe Festival: 'Winesburg Ohio' redone as opera

Answered Prayers

A successful conclusion to Nautilus Music-Theater's trio of operas based on Sherwood Anderson's "Winesburg, Ohio." Jim Payne's evocative libretto conveys the thwarted aspirations of Anderson's characters. Robert Elhai's vivid score references show tunes, art songs and opera, all rooted in hymn tunes. JP Fitzgibbons and Norah Long are heartbreaking as a lustful, tortured pastor and an independent spirit struggling against the strictures of society. Joshua Hinck is equally strong as the aspiring writer. Keyboardist Jerry Rubino and violinist Elizabeth Bell provide crisp accompaniment. (8:30 p.m. Wed., 10 p.m. Thu., 4 p.m. Aug. 11, Rarig Xperimental, 330 21st Av. S.)

WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD

Ms. Luisa Eats

Personality and charm can take you pretty far. Ms. Luisa (Parker Genn) is a loopy gal who has come out under the Big Sky to search for a man -- preferably "a man with the tight pants and the strong hands." Between snacking on a banana, cupcakes and spaghetti, Genn's alter ego narrates the sad/funny stories of her recent bad luck in romance. And all the time, the quizzical Guitar Dude (Ty Otis) waits quietly for the moment she might invite him to be her magical man. The show is dumb like a fox and very enjoyable. (5:30 p.m. Sat., 7 p.m. Tue. & Thu., 2:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Patrick's Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Av.)

GRAYDON ROYCE

Pretentious Conversations

LISA BROCK

BOOGIEography

This infectious dance revue from Blue Umbrella Productions imagines a world where Nancy Sinatra and Janelle Monae are spiritual sisters, Jerome Robbins choreographed "West Side Story" to MC Hammer, and Beyonc has a five-o-clock shadow. Director/choreographer Windy Bowlsby and her exuberant troupe borrow from Broadway, Bollywood, vaudeville and opera (classical and the Jerry Springer variety) for 14 numbers infused with energy and humor that will have audiences boogieing in the aisles. (8:30 p.m. Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun., 10 p.m. Wed. & Aug. 11, Patrick's Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Av.)

CYNTHIA DICKISON

Carol and Cotton: Minnesota's Crime of the Century

CYNTHIA DICKISON

Mary Mack's Anti-One Woman Show

A self-effacing attitude pervades Mary Mack's solo riff on her anxieties and dysfunctional family issues. She says she tried to be an alcoholic but kept getting full. She points out how she has the voice of a 5-year-old, yet has the body of a fourth grader. A dazed and haunted facial expression is matched with quirky comments about New Age mysticism, repressed emotions of Minnesotans and her mother's pet raccoon. Though she rambles far too much, Mack is strangely effective and likable. (7 p.m. Sat., 10 p.m. Mon., 7 p.m. Aug. 11, HUGE Improv, 3037 Lyndale Av. S.)

JOHN TOWNSEND

Not Dead Yet! The Return of Mr. Elk and Mr. Seal