'Stained Glass'

Opening Thursday: Reyn Guyer made his name and coin as an inventor of amusements. The St. Paul native developed Twister and the Nerf ball. Now he's pursuing another passion: musical theater. Guyer wrote lyrics for "Stained Glass," a show composed by Jeff Harrington that played New York but that he still wanted to work on. He's hired Jevetta Steele to star alongside some other gifted singing actors: Julius Collins, Jana Anderson and Larry Bagby. They star in a church-set mystery directed by Richard Thompson. (7:30 p.m. Thu. & Sun., 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Ends Oct. 27. $37-$350. Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-436-1129.)

ROHAN PRESTON

Aparna Ramaswamy

Saturday: Aparna Ramaswamy brings her new solo work, "Sannidhi (Sacred Space)," to the Cowles Center for one night only. If you haven't seen this artistic co-director of Ragamala Dance Theatre perform yet, do treat yourself to one of the Twin Cities' most transformative artists. Ramaswamy, a leading exponent of the Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, has been touring this piece nationally to critical and audience acclaim. Featuring live musical accompaniment. (7:30 p.m. Sat., $28, the Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-206-3600 or www.thecowlescenter.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER