BLUE HEAVEN

Dancer/choreographer Lisa Conlin (well known to Ballet of the Dolls fans) tackles the difficult subject of death in "Blue Heaven." Responding to her loss of both parents as well as several other family members and friends over the course of 18 months, Conlin looks at the challenges that come with realizing the finality of a loved one's passing. While this is a sad topic, there will be moments of uplift and hope, as well. Erinn Liebhard, Brian J. Evans, Jennifer Mack, Cari Riis Stemmler, Robert Skafte and Raena Smith join Conlin for this original production. Mike Hallenbeck will provide the music and sound design. --Caroline Palmer

  • 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 3/2-3, 7 p.m. Sun. 3/4
  • $18-$20
  • Ritz Theatre, 345 NE. 13th St., Mpls
  • 612-436-1129
  • www.ritzdolls.org

T BONE N WEASEL

Opening: Playwright Jon Klein developed this play in 1986 at the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis and after circling through stages around the country, it is returning to the Twin Cities in a production by Theatre Pro Rata. Klein tells the story of two parolees working on personal rehabilitation and traveling through South Carolina. There, they encounter a pile of individuals (played by one actor) who reflect the oddball facets of the American character. Amber Bjork directs a cast that includes Mark Benzel and Theo Langason in the title roles and Ben Tallen as the everyman. -Graydon Royce

  • 7:30 p.m. Sat., Mon., Thu; 3 p.m. Sun., ends March 18
  • Gremlin Theatre, 2400 W. University Av., St. Paul
  • 612-874-9321
  • www.theatreprorata.org

PICNIC ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Opening: Theatre Novi Most (Russian for "Theater of a New Bridge") will blend two absurdist plays into an original tragic comedy about war. The title comes from Fernando Arrabal's 1961 play. Directors Lisa Channer and Vladimir Rovinsky have added to that story with Slawomir Mrozek's "Enchanted Night." The narrative focuses on a soldier whose parents have come to visit him on the battlefield. It then shifts to a hotel built on the same battlefield decades later. -Graydon Royce