Compulsion
Opening: Playwright Rinne Groff tells the story of an American Jewish writer who becomes obssessed with Anne Frank's story and finally tangles himself in litigation concerning publishing and producing rights to the story. Mark Benninghofen portrays the writer in a production directed by Hayley Finn at Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company. Benninghofen portrayed U.S. Grant in last fall's "Appomattox" at the Guthrie. The production also uses marionettes, as Benninghofen's character comes to imagine the people in the Frank story are visiting his home. (8 p.m. Sat., 1 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends March 24, Hillcrest Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, $18-$26, 651-647-4315 or mnjewishtheatre.org)
Graydon Royce
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Opening: Director Alan Berks has set this classic play by Luigi Pirandello in a reality television show. The episode is about to be shot when a family enters and insists that they are real characters who have come to life from the imagination of the author. Reality stars and characters then begin a struggle to persuade the production crew to their side. Alan Berks & Company are collaborating with Gremlin in the production. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 4 p.m. Sun. Ends March 24, Gremlin Theatre, 2400 W. University Av., St. Paul, $18-$20, gremlin-theatre.org)
Graydon Royce
