Bradley Greenwald won Ivey recognition for his performance in this show five years ago. He returns to the Jungle Theater as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a transvestite who survived the German Nazi and Communist regimes while maintaining a museum of antiques and everyday trinkets. The release of documents after the fall of communism raised questions about whether she was an agent for the secret police. Doug Wright wrote this Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner. Joel Sass directs Greenwald, who portrays more than 30 characters. --Graydon Royce

Rhythmic Circus recently scored two Minnesota Sage awards for dance for the show "Feet Don't Fail Me Now!" and the troupe has also been on tour, bringing its brand of funky percussive movement to enthusiastic audiences around the country. Suffice to say, this crew of four dancers and seven musicians knows how to put on a show, and they bring an infectious energy to the stage with every performance. Just try to stop yourself from getting into the groove -- it's impossible not to shake and shimmy when Rhythmic Circus takes the stage. --Caroline Palmer

You love him as a bestselling author ("Me Talk Pretty One Day," "When You Are Engulfed in Flames"); you adore him as a public radio personality ("This American Life"). It's hard not to fall for David Sedaris' razor wit, biting social commentary and wry insight -- three Grammy nominations and more than 7 million books in print attest to that. Experience one of our generation's preeminent humorists in the flesh as he reads and signs books at the State. Sedaris' latest work is last year's "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary," a collection of dark, animal-themed fables. --Jay Boller