While a number of shows have closed as the holidays wind down, theater lovers still have some good choices, many reviewed by the Star Tribune.

Foremost is "Motown: The Musical," director Charles Randolph-Wright's excellent, heartwarming production that does more than quicken memories formed around the songs and style of Motown, founded by impresario Berry Gordy. Performed by a stellar cast, the show transcends the jukebox musical as it simultaneously jogs memories and creates new ones around the enduring, era-defining music sung by the likes of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson Five.

8 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun. $49-$134. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 1-800-982-2787.

Green is not the color of envy so much as the color of joy at the Children's Theatre, where Peter Brosius' rambunctiously entertaining revival of "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is playing. The holiday classic boasts a frenetic, Robin Williams-esque title performance by Reed Sigmund and heartwarming, pitch-perfect singing by 9-year-old phenom Natalie Tran.

7 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 5 p.m. Sun. $10-$85. Ends Jan. 4. 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. 612-874-0400.

Over at the Ordway, James Rocco's spirited production of "A Christmas Story: The Musical" is pleasing multigenerational patrons. The show has a large cast led by Dieter Bierbrauer, Billie Wildrick and Jake Goodman as Ralphie, the boy who wants a BB gun for Christmas. Critic Kristin Tillotson called the show "a good old-fashioned crowd pleaser for every generation, adding plenty of showbiz sparkle to the classic tale of 1940s everykid." She also applauded the "great song-and-dance numbers and kid-powered energy."

7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $36-$110. EndsSun. Ordway Center for the Arts, 5th and Washington Sts., St. Paul. 651-224-4222.

Back for its sixth year, "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" takes tongue-in-cheek aim at the cool and reserve of some Minnesotans. Set in a bar in Bunyan Bay, Minn., the show features a reluctant husband who would rather go snowmobiling across a lake than celebrate. Unfortunately, he falls through the ice and goes into a coma, where he is visited by a Nordic folk legend who helps him see the error of his Christmas-eschewing ways. The cast includes Bonni Allen, Doug Anderson and Ross Young.

7:30 p.m. Fri.; 5 & 8:30 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. $24-$27. Ends Jan. 4. New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

The Brave New Workshop often finds comedy gold in everything it skewers, and the holiday season is no different. In a year when Miley Cyrus did things with people and props that embarrassed parents (but not her own), the Workshop is doing "Twerking Around the Christmas Tree." The title is just a handle, of course, for its irreverent, tried-and-true shtick.

7 & 10 p.m. Fri.; 5 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 7:30 p.m. Sun. $18-$36. Ends Jan. 31. 824 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-332-6620.

Over at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, "Hello, Dolly," about a meddlesome matchmaker, is still wowing them with a "lively and strong" production, even if the show is "showing its age," according to Graydon Royce.

8 p.m. Fri.; 1 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 6:30 p.m. Sun. $47-$84. Ends Feb. 21. 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen. 952-934-1525.

Park Square is closing out its calendar year with "2 Pianos 4 Hands," Ted Dykstra's and Richard Greenblatt charming show about good friends who also are dueling musicians vying for stardom. Peter Vitale and Michael Pearce Donley reprise their much-praised performances in this revival by director Tom Frey.

7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. $25-$58. Ends Sun. Historic Hamm Building, 20 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul. 651-291-7005.

And at the History Theatre, everybody can join in to sing, "that'll be the day, when I die." "Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story" has gotten a revival by Ron Peluso with Nicholas Freeman playing the charismatic, bespectacled rocker.

8 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 4 p.m. Sun. $15-$45. Ends Jan. 4. 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. 651-292-4323.

Rohan Preston • 612-673-4390