"Abuelita" by Prime Productions at the Capri Theater

Prime Productions is continuing their work that "amplifies the voices of women over fifty" with a world premiere new play that, while not written by a woman in her prime, is centered around several of them. NYC-based playwright Nathan Yungerberg (who has Midwestern roots) has written a fictional story inspired by his real-life experience as a biracial adoptee growing up in the Midwest and connecting to his Afro-Caribbean heritage later in life. A story of a 15-year-old boy finding his identity with the help of his "Abulelitas" (if Abuela is Spanish for grandmother, what does Abuelita mean? that you love your Abuela a lot, as one of the characters says). It's a story of community, of grief, of healing, of growing up, of not growing old but continuing to change and explore all that life has to offer. The beautiful, funny, authentic new play Abuelita continues at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis through March 29.

"A Christmas Carol... More or Less" at Yellow Tree Theatre

Holiday* comedies are a tradition at Yellow Tree Theatre since the very beginning of their 18 seasons, when co-founder Jessica Lind Peterson wrote an original play about a small town theater couple that had to come up with a new Christmas show when the rights to the show they were planning to do were pulled, because, you guessed it, the rights to the show they were planning to do were pulled. This art-imitating-life creation spawned a franchise of goofy Minnesota holiday shows that Yellow Tree did for many years, and now under new Artistic Director of the last several years Austene Van, they're continuing this holiday comedy tradition. This year's selection is one we haven't seen at Yellow Tree before, but shares a similar theme with that first holiday comedy. A Christmas Carol... More or Less is about another small town theater couple in crisis, and the theater magic they create using Dickens' classic story of redemption and generosity. It's fun and funny and heart-warming, featuring a fantastic two-person cast in an immersive and gently participatory experience in Yellow Tree's intimate space. And since I'm not the only one who loves this Yellow Tree holiday comedy tradition, the show is close to selling out the entire run, so get your tickets now!

"Kiss of the Spiderwoman" by Teatro del Pueblo at the Southern Theater

The 1993 Tony-winning best musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, with music and lyrics by Kander and Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) and book by playwright Terrance McNally, was just made into a movie starring Jennifer Lopez. What's better than seeing an acclaimed musical on the screen? Seeing it live on stage! And now finally I had the opportunity to see this rarely done musical, thanks to Teatro del Pueblo. I don't know if the timing with the movie was intentional or coincidental, but this story of two men imprisoned by a fascist regime, one of them escaping into the fantasy world of his beloved movies, couldn't come at a better time. Featuring a talented cast and impressive design in the gorgeous Southern Theater, this is a rare opportunity to see Kiss of the Spider Woman live on stage as it was meant to be, and "celebrate Latine voices, queer identity, and the power of resilience!" Continuing through November 23 only.