Accessible Performances

The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, or Interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Cabaret; Run: 11/7-11/30; AD 09/13, 7:30P; ASL 09/16, 2P; Bloomington Civic Theatre performs at the new Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. 952-563-8575; www.bloomingtoncivictheatre.org. The famous musical returns.Mamma Mia!, by Benny Andersson and Bjöörn Ulvaeus; Run: 11/11-12/7; ASL 11/16, 1P; AD 11/18, 7:30P; Historic Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin, Minneapolis; www.hennepintheatredistrict.com. This smash hit features 22 of ABBA's best known songs and magically transports you to a mythical Greek Island to share two unforgettable days in the lives of a feisty forty-something single mom and her daughter, whose dreams are quite different.

Family Values, by Jim Stowell; Run: 10/30-11/23; AD & ASL 11/22, 8P; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul; 651-291-7005; www.parksquaretheatre.org. One of Minnesota's premiere storytellers weaves a fascinating yarn juxtaposing the strife between Anglos and Mexicans from his childhood in south Texas and the Protestant/Catholic conflict in Northern Ireland.

The Graduate; Run: 11/18-23; ASL 11/23, 1P; Historic State Theatre, 805 Hennepin, Minneapolis; www.hennepintheatredistrict.com. A cult novel. A landmark Hollywood film. A theatrical sensation in London and New York. For mature audiences. Contains nudity.

Rigoletto, by Giuseppe Verdi; Run: 11/15-23; AD 11/23, 2P; Minnesota Opera at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 612-333-6669; www.mnopera.org. Deformed and despised, Rigoletto's only consolation is his daughter Gilda. When his jesting turns into derision, a curse seals theirfates. Sung in Italian with English translations projected and described.

Othello, by Shakespeare; Run: 11/1-12/21; ASL 12/5, 7:30P; AD 12/6, 1P; Guthrie Lab, 700 N. First St., Minneapolis; 612-377-2224; TTY 612-377-6626; www.guthrietheater.org. A noble hero's love and a devout wife's purity of heart are no match for a trusted friend's obsessive jealousy in this complex masterpiece of a sensual world in which social order, racial politics, and personal ambitions collide.

Circus of Tales; Run: 11/28-1/4/04; AD 12/5, 8P; Location: Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 105 N. First St., Minneapolis;612-333-6200; Robert Rosen directs this company-created collaboration which premiered last year, blending storytelling and theatre with aerial ballet, fairies, hags and ghouls for all ages.

Holiday Traditions art exhibits; ASL 12/7, 2P Period Rooms, 3:30P Purcell-Cutts House; ASL 12/11, 7P in the Period Rooms; The Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Avenue, S.; 612-870-3131 or TTY 612-870-3132, or email dhegstro@artsmia.org or visit www.artsmia.org.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens; Run: 11/18-12/28; AD & ASL 12/13, 1P & 12/16, 7:30P; Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland, Minneapolis; 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626; www.guthrietheater.org. This beloved holiday tradition from Victorian London presents the delightful Fezziwigs, frightening ghosts, the charming Crachit familyand the melting of Mr. Scrooge's miserly heart.

Narnia, based on C.S. Lewis' “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe;” Run: 12/5-21; AD & ASL 12/13, 7:30P; Youth Performance Company at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet, Minneapolis; 612-623-9080; www.youthperformanceco.com. Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter wander from an old wardrobe into the enchanting world of Narnia where they meet unforgettable characters.

A Servants' Christmas: The Musical, by John Fenn; Run: 11/22-12/28/03; AD 12/14, 2P; ASL 12/17, 10A & 12/21, 2P; Great American History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; 651-292-4320; www.historytheatre.com. Set at the turn of the 19th century on St. Paul's historic Summit Avenue, this story of religious tolerance, holiday joy and redemptionis about a young girl, who, afraid of losing her job, keeps her Jewish faith a secret from the family.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens (different production from above listing); Run: 11/21-12/21/03; ASL 12/14, 2P; Commonweal Theatre, 206 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro; 507-467-2525 or 800-657-7025; www.commonwealtheatre.org. Dickens' classic story of loneliness, greed, and redemption comes alive in Commonwealth's imaginative ensemble production.

The Wizard of Oz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's book by John Kane, Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg; Run: 11/18- 1/10/04; AD & ASL 12/17, 10A & 12/19, 7:30P; Children's Theatre Co., 2400 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-874-0400; www.childrenstheatre.org. See the glittering hit that broke all CTC box office records last year.

A Christmas Story, by Jean Shepherd, adapted by Philip Grecian; Run: 11/28-12/30; ASL 12/18, 12:30P & 12/21, 2P;AD 12/21, 2P; Stages Theatre Co., Hopkins Center for the Arts Mainstage, 1111 Mainstreet, 952-979-1111; www.stagestheatre.org. Based on the popular motion picture, this uproarious production brings you back to a simpler time growing up in the Midwest in the 1950's.

Oliver!, by Lionel Bart; Run: 12/10-28; AD & ASL 12/20, 2P; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington, St. Paul; 651-224-4222, TTY 651-282-3100; www.ordway.org. The Ordway is presenting the national premiere of this tour of Charles Dickens' famous characters in olde London towne, singing Food, Glorious Food; Consider Yourself; You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two and more favorites.

The 1940s Radio Hour, by Walton Jones; Run: 11/21-12/21; AD 12/21, 2P; Theatre in the Round Players, 245 Cedar, Minneapolis; 612-333-3010; www.theatreintheround.org. A sentimental musical journey back to 1942 as a radio station prepares to broadcast the big Christmas variety show, with live sound effects, singing & dancing.