'RUBY! THE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES'

Continuing: Playwright Christina Ham has newly imagined the story of Ruby Bridges, the brave black girl who, at age 6 in 1960, integrated a hitherto all-white school in New Orleans. She persevered through taunts and abuse to get her education. Artistic director Richard Hitchler directs the world premiere, which stars sisters Rhapsody Stiggers and Essence Stiggers, who play Ruby at ages 6 and 18, respectively. (7 p.m. Fri., 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun., $15, SteppingStone Theatre, 55 N. Victoria St., St. Paul, 651-225-9265 or steppingstonetheatre.org.)

ROHAN PRESTON

STUART PIMSLER

Friday-Sunday: Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, now in its 35th year, has been busy touring nationally and internationally, but the troupe returns to its hometown stage this weekend for a program featuring the world premiere of "Walking, Singing and Other Habits" (conceived, written and directed by Pimsler). The piece explores the small moments in life that we may not always recognize as important, but when taken together have much to say about the nature of our existence. The other works on the program pick up on the themes of love and passion appropriate to Valentine's Day week — 2009's "Tales From the Book of Longing" (featuring music by Anthony and the Johnsons) and 2002's "Total Surrender." (8 p.m. Fri-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., $26, Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-206-3600, thecowlescenter.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER

VENUS AND ADONIS

Cupid aims his bow at the Ballet of the Dolls this weekend with the premiere of "The Blue Stockings Society's Production of Venus and Adonis." The Blue Stockings Society was a group of mid-18th-century women who gathered to discuss art, music and philosophy. What would happen if these women were to meet today for a conversation about love and romance in the age of Internet dating and Facebook? As always, choreographer Myron Johnson takes his inspiration from a variety of singers, in this case the divine Kate Bush, Patti Smith, Carole King and Tracy Chapman, among others. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sun., $18.50-$23.50, Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls., 612-436-1129, www.ritz-theater.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER