Best of the week: 'Nina Simone: Four Women,' Gladys Knight, Robert Ellis, 'Mama Mia,' more

Last spring Regina Marie Williams killed — and took names — when she played the title role in the premiere of Christina Ham's "Nina Simone: Four Women." That show sold out its run at Park Square Theatre, where it is returning with added songs under director Faye Price and music director Sanford Moore. Cast members Aimee K. Bryant and Traci Allen Shannon also return.ROHAN PRESTON

7:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2 p.m. next Sun., Ends Feb. 26, Park Square Theatre, St. Paul, $40-$60, parksquaretheatre.org

In 2009, Gladys Knight did a U.K. farewell tour. But she's far from the retiring type. The Empress of Soul put out an album, "Where My Heart Belongs," in 2014. She has toured regularly and appeared in a few movies, including last year's "Almost Christmas" with Danny Glover and Gabrielle Union. With such classics as "Midnight Train to Georgia," "If I Were Your Woman" and "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," Knight has a top-shelf repertoire of pop-soul.

JON BREAM

8 p.m. Sat. Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake, $54-$69, mysticlake.com

It's the eighth time for "Mamma Mia!" in Minnesota, and, the producers say, it's the last. At least for a while. The show has been a box-office winner for years because, well, there's spandex and Abba songs and a quirky story about a young woman's search for her real dad among the three men her mom bedded back when she was young and carefree. Did we mention "Dancing Queen"?

ROHAN PRESTON

Houston-reared country/folk troubadour Robert Ellis' eponymous fourth album was one of the best Americana records of 2016. Singed by a bad breakup, he conversely lightened up his dark Southern gothic writing style with lovely, Calexico-like borderland instrumentation. He's playing a special "seated" show with opener Jenny O, whose new album was produced by Father John Misty's main guy Jonathan Wilson.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

9 p.m. Fri. Turf Club, St. Paul, $15, eTix.com

Historically speaking, fairy tales have inspired far more dances than New Yorker short stories. Stuart Pimsler Dance Theater does its part to right that imbalance with "Matinee." Based on Robert Coover's 2011 metafictional tale about modern-day escapism through Golden Age movies, the show is a collaboration between filmmaker Andrew Welken and Twin Cities choreographers Stuart Pimsler and Suzanne Costello.

REBECCA RITZEL

"Drop the Mic:  The Experience" is a rock-inspired dance show honoring the 50th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's famous album, "Are You Experienced." Created by the brother-and-sister team of Dario and Giselle Mejia, the show promises a range of music including Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Prince. Plus, it features an array of contemporary dance styles including breaking, zouk, jazz-funk and acrobatics.

SHEILA REGAN

7:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Cowles Center, Mpls., $22-$25, thecowlescenter.org

Last year was a blank for Skylark Opera Theatre, as the company restructured and considered its long-term future. The reboot is now complete, and Skylark re-launches with "The Tragedy of Carmen," a searing adaptation of Bizet's opera first staged in 1981 by theater director Peter Brook. Much of Bizet's music is retained in Brook's adaptation, including all the murderous sexual passion.

TERRY BLAIN

You can be a Shakespeare fan and still not want to sit through three sobering hours of "King Lear" at the Guthrie. Instead, try "S---Faced Shakespeare." The original production began running in the U.K. seven years ago, and last month added St. Paul to its roster of U.S. outposts. At least one actor is drunk at every show, and patrons are encouraged to drink while they watch.

REBECCA RITZEL

Ends Feb. 25, the Cabaret at Camp Bar, St. Paul, $20, brownpapertickets.com

Before Feb. 14 became a multibillion-dollar holiday, suitors had to be a little more creative to win the love of their sweetheart. "Ramsey After Dark" salutes Cupid with a history lesson in Victorian-era courtship. Guests can play vintage courtship games and listen to excerpts from Ramsey family love letters. Freshly baked Valentine's Day treats will be served. Reservations required.

MELISSA WALKER