Guthrie Theater 50th anniversary gala

Saturday-Sunday: The Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963, marks its half-century with a two-tier celebration. On Saturday, Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg headlines a gala performance hosted by Greta Oglesby and Sally Wingert and featuring the likes of Tony nominees Brian d'Arcy James and Tracie Bennett. Tony-winning composer Jason Robert Brown has written a piece for the evening, which also features Stephen Yoakam, Valeri Mudek, T.R. Knight and the vocal ensemble Cantus. Late night, a dance party takes over the Dowling Studio upstairs, with music of Sonny Knight and the Lakers and DJs Espada and Booka B. On Sunday, the Guthrie has a "community day" of free activities such as face-painting, tours and acting classes. (6:30 & 8:30 p.m. Sat., gala and dinner, $500, or $150-$350 for gala only; 9:30 p.m. Sat.-1 a.m. Sun., dance party, $25; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., open house, free, Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-377-2224, www.guthrietheater.org.)

ROHAN PRESTON

Eartha ... The Whole Kitt & Kaboodle

Saturday-Sunday: Actor and singer Regina Marie Williams is joined by pianist Dan Chouinard and bassist Greg Hippen as she channels Eartha Kitt in "Eartha … The Whole Kitt & Kaboodle." Williams sold out the Capri Theater last year as she purred like the onetime Catwoman known for her sultry musical performances. "Santa Baby" and "I Want to Be Evil" are Kitt's most famous numbers, songs that Williams performs with style. (7 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., Capri Theater, 2027 Broadway, Mpls., $20, 1-866-811-4111.)

ROHAN PRESTON