MACBETH

Opens Saturday: A Minnesota Opera favorite, soprano Brenda Harris returns as the scheming Lady Macbeth in a new production of Giuseppe Verdi's "Macbeth." Bass-baritone Greer Grimsley makes his long-awaited return as the ambitious King of Scotland. "Macbeth" is one of Verdi's early masterpieces, still imbued with the traditions of bel canto opera, but used in new ways, to create more dramatic effects. Music director Michael Christie conducts. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 28 &30; 8 p.m. Feb. 1; 2 p.m. Feb. 2. Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, $20-$200, 612-333-6669, mnopera.org)

WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD

five course love

Opening Friday: Minneapolis Musical Theatre is offering a midwinter date-night show that stars three actors and is set in five restaurants. Written and composed by Greg Coffin, "Five Course Love" takes place in a barbecue joint, a mob-run Italian restaurant, a German sausage place, a Mexican cantina and a '50s diner. Each locale has its own story line. Ryan McGuire Grimes, Joseph Pyfferoen and Amanda Weis play all the characters. Steven Meerdink directs. (7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 4 p.m. Sun., ends Feb. 16, New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $24-$29, 1-800-982-2727 or www.hennepintheatretrust.org.)

ROHAN PRESTON

MINNESOTA DANCE THEATRE

Opening Friday: Minnesota Dance Theatre will transform the Lab Theater into a cabaret setting for the premiere of a theatrically based work inspired by Dominique Serrand, who now leads the Moving Company with Steven Epp. Emotional extremes seen through the lens of experimental artistry will drive the work, as will live accompaniment by cellist Wilhelmina Smith. The program will include a reprise of MDT artistic director Lise Houlton's contemporary ballet "Rumblings" with musical arrangement by pianist Tom Linker. Vocalists Bradley Greenwald and Jennifer Baldwin Peden will also perform. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. Also 8 p.m. Jan. 29-31. Ends Jan. 31. $35. The Lab Theater, 700 N. 1st St., Mpls. 612-333-7977. www.thelabtheater.org.

CAROLINE PALMER

Ragamala Dance comes to the Cowles.

BALLET WORKS PROJECT

Opening Friday: When members of James Sewell Ballet aren't working on their mainstage programs, they enjoy collaborations with up-and-coming choreographers. This year's Ballet Works Project features new pieces from JSB member Nikky Coelho as well as local contact improvisation/street-dance artist Blake Nellis. Also on tap is a premiere from New York-based dancemaker Norbert De La Cruz III, making his Minneapolis debut. Plus JSB co-founder Sally Rousse is putting together a special choreographic initiative. One of the best opportunities in town to check out fresh perspectives in contemporary ballet. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 9, $16-$20, TEK BOX, Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., second floor, Mpls., 612-206-3600, cowlescenter.com.)C.P.

ASHWINI RAMASWAMY

Saturday: Ashwini Rama­swa­my, a soloist with the inter­nationally acclaimed local troupe Ragamala Dance, gets the stage all to herself this Saturday for the solo evening "Swarupa (Revelation)." This new work — using the classical south Indian dance form Bharatanatyam — delves into the human desire to make sense of unpredictability. Four musicians will accompany Ramaswamy's dancing, including her mother, Ranee Rama­swamy, plus Lalit Subramanian, Rajna Swaminathan and Anjna Swaminathan. (8 p.m. Sat., $15, Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls., 612-436-1129, www.ritzdolls.com.)C.P.