Performance spotlights: 'Dial M for Murder' and 'The Princess Bride: A Drinking Game'

Every time the Jungle has staged Frederick Knott's Alfred Hitchcock-inspired stage thriller "Dial M for Murder," it's been a smash. Director Bain Boehlke is hoping to show he has the touch again with the story where the motive for marriage and murder are the same: money. Husband Tony Wendice plans the perfect murder of his wife, Margot, but things don't go according to plan. Michael Booth and Cheryl Willis depict the couple. --Rohan Preston

Favorite flicks from the '80s get the drinking-game treatment as Los Angeles' popular "A Drinking Game" series comes to the Twin Cities. It kicks off with Rob Reiner's classic fairy tale "The Princess Bride," for which local actors will do a live stage reading of the script -- think "Rocky Horror Picture Show" minus the actual film -- peppered with drinking cues. Upcoming films have not yet been announced, but expect favorites from the L.A. version, such as "Beetlejuice," "Back to the Future" and "Better Off Dead," in future months. --Jahna Peloquin

Beyond Ballroom always brings sparkle and verve to the stage. This Twin Cities troupe is made up of competitive dancers who enjoy the chance to celebrate their art form without worrying about scores. For BBDC's Cowles Center debut, the members have collaborated on two new works showing off their considerable comic and stylistic range. "Match Men" delves into the unpredictable world of online dating. "Night & Day" contrasts classic ballroom dancing with BBDC's more modern approach. The program also includes the colorful movement exploration "Change of Hue." --Caroline Palmer

Having closed its Pink Hobo Gallery last year, Puny Entertainment has announced its next venture: a monthly comedy show. It's not that far of a leap -- the agency is known as much for its cheeky sense of humor as for its colorful animations and award-winning design work. The show will offer a different theme each month, kicking off with the technicolor world of preschool television -- a nod to Puny's animation work on "Yo Gabba Gabba!" Headlining are comics Will Shepard (PBS's "Wordgirl," the Onion), and Rich Kronfeld ("The Choo Choo Bob Show"). Local comics Bill Young and Chris Knutson and guest improv troupes Splendid Things and 1,2,3 Improv! round it out, along with visuals by Puny. --Jahna Peloquin

Uptown is largely void of ha-has and make 'em ups, a humorless plight that Cause is aiming to fix with the debut of its open mic standup showcase. This inaugural go-round promises opening sets by a few notable locals before turning the mic over to the amateurs. Sadists will get plenty of bombing greenhorns; laugh-seekers might just catch a guffaw-worthy upstart or two. The Sauce-- a nod to Cause's bygone former name -- will begin as a biweekly experiment. --Jay Boller

Veteran alt-comic Glass made national headlines last month when he came out as gay on fellow comedian Marc Maron's popular "WTF" podcast. His rationale? Recent attention to GLBT youth suicides resonated too deeply for him to not sound off. With a road-tested and respected act that's rooted in observational rage, the 47-year-old comic has never been shy with his opinions. Career-wise, it's a boom time for comedians-turned-podcasters, and Glass is no exception; he hosts a weekly podcast, "The Todd Glass Show." His lengthy TV résumé includes "Last Comic Standing," "Politically Incorrect" and "The Sarah Silverman Program." --Jay Boller