'Sexy Librarian: File Under Rock Musical'

The hot librarian is a pop-culture archetype dating back at least to the 1950s, so it was only a matter of time before she got the rock-opera treatment. For Joking Envelope's twist on Jekyll and Hyde, "Sexy Librarian" follows a meek librarian (Anna Sundberg) as she whips off her glasses, lets her hair down and gets in touch with her bad self after hours. In addition to a respected cast of local comedy actors (among them Sundberg, Mike Rylander and Phillip Andrew Bennett Low), the Joseph Scrimshaw-directed production will be accompanied by a live band. (Previews 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., $15. Opens 7:30 p.m. Sat., $22. Through May 21. Minneapolis Theatre Garage)

  • Jahna Peloquin

'The Year of Magical Thinking'

Nimbus gives Joan Didion's play a regional premiere with a solo performance by Barbara Berlovitz. Adapted by Didion from her own award-winning memoir, the play explores a series of tragedies that befell the author. Her husband died suddenly and then her daughter died from a hematoma. Liz Neerland directs Berlovitz, known best as a founder of Theatre de la Jeune Lune. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. & next Thu., 3 p.m. Sun. Through May 21. Nimbus Theatre)

  • Graydon Royce

'The Whiz: Moneyapolis'

Ease on down the road for this piece by New York's Nicholas Leichter Dance, with club superstar Monstah Black. This off-site presentation by Northrop Dance promises a cross-genre event inspired by the movie "The Wiz," with influences ranging from hip-hop to postmodern dance and drag performance. Local artist cameos include Leah Nelson, Shannon Blowtorch, Cee Cee Russell and Mad King Thomas. (8 p.m. Wed.-next Sat., 7 p.m. next Sun. Ends May 8. $27. Intermedia Arts)

  • Caroline Palmer