The Wright choice
In the '80s, Steven Wright redefined deadpan comedy, delivering non-sequitur jokes in a near comatose state. Stand-up has never had a smarter zombie. In the past decade, he has pulled back on talk-show appearances, which may have led fans to believe that he finally had succumbed to permanent hibernation. Not true. In addition to contributing to Louis C.K.'s TV projects, the 61-year-old comic is on a tour that will hopefully remind us that a legend sleepwalks among us.Neal Justin
7:30 p.m. Fri. Ordway Center, St. Paul. $22-$67, ordway.org
Keith Sweat (above), the new jack swing innovator known for the 1980s-'90s hits "I Want Her" and "Freak Me," headlines an R&B oldies package, a trend that seems to be en vogue these days. Also on this bill are K-Ci and JoJo, the Jodeci brothers, who are remembered for "You Bring Me Up" and "Last Night's Letter"; vocal group 112 of "Peaches and Cream" fame, and Ginuwine, who rode "Pony" to the top of the R&B charts in 1996.
JON BREAM
8 p.m. Fri. Target Center, Mpls. $52-$125, axs.com
You might call this a drive-through "Macbeth." Already one of Shakespeare's shortest plays, director Jef Hall-Flavin's condensed version — aimed at high school audiences — takes just 90 minutes (not including intermission), with nine actors playing 24 characters. We do get most of the great lines ("fair is foul, and foul is fair," "screw your courage to the sticking place, and we'll not fail"). But many are delivered like monologues at an audition, without context.
ROHAN PRESTON
Ends April 9. Park Square Theatre, St. Paul. $27-$60, parksquaretheatre.org