'the events'

Opening: Scottish playwright David Greig's play explores a community's response to a terrorist attack. Greig wrote in the wake of a 2011 car bombing and shooting incident in Norway that left 77 dead. The play, produced by London-based Actors Touring Company, examines faith, politics and reason and how the limits of forgiveness are tested. ATC director Ramin Gray recently noted that since the play was first produced in 2013, numerous attacks have occurred. "Whether it is the Boston bombing, the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris or any number of other attacks on innocent bystanders, this play has the ability to resonate with communities," he said. The Guthrie is presenting the play through its World Stages series. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Wed.-Thu. Ends Nov. 1; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls.; $34-$64, 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org)

graydon royce

BALLET WEST

Saturday: Get ready to tap your feet to classic tunes when the Northrop dance season kicks off with Salt Lake City-based Ballet West. With works including Jerome Robbins' "Fancy Free," set to music by Leonard Bernstein, and George Balanchine's "Who Cares?"— which includes such George Gershwin classics as "I've Got Rhythm," "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Embraceable You" — the evening will hark back to Broadway's golden age of song. This is the Northrop debut of Ballet West, known for its starring role in the CW reality television show "Breaking Pointe," a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional ballet. Now you can see the stars live, accompanied by an orchestra of local musicians. (8 p.m. Sat., Northrop, 84 SE. Church St., Mpls., $44-$64. 612-624-2345, northrop.umn.edu)

SHEILA REGAN

'BELLA LUNA'

Friday: St. Paul Ballet brings back this work inspired by the commedia dell'arte tradition, and based on a "Tristan and Isolde" tale of tragic love beneath the beautiful moon. The story centers on the beautiful Izzy, who falls in love with the poor boy Arlo, though she is betrothed to a rich suitor. Their star-crossed love proves fertile ground for poetic resolution in this piece, choreographed by Peter Davison and first presented by St. Paul Ballet last year. Preceding it will be new choreography by Zoé Emilie Henrot as well as a selection from "Don Quixote" set by Lirena Branitski after Marius Petipa. (7:30 p.m. Fri., the O'Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul. $19-$29, 651-690-6700, oshag.stkate.edu)S.R.