Top 10 Twin Cities theater events this fall

The Guthrie Theater reopens its Dowling Studio with the premiere of George Abud’s “The Ruins: a play through music.” It’s a meditation on the meaning of life that sounds like something from Samuel Beckett but sweetened by music. Two musicians — a cellist and an oud player — find out that they soon will be dead. Over eight movements, they play and ponder their existence. Playwright Abud stars alongside singer and cellist Sydney Shepherd. Osh Ashruf directs. (Sept. 19-Oct. 12, Guthrie Theater, Mpls.)

The Broadway production of Terrence McNally’s comedy about a swank opening night party boasted an all-star cast that included Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and F. Murray Abraham. Director Stephen DiMenna has assembled their Minnesota equivalents, including Jim Lichtscheidl, Sally Wingert and Warren Bowles. It’s the fourth McNally play at the storied St. Paul playhouse, and this one looks to be a rollicking love letter to a life on the stage. (Sept. 24-Oct. 19, Park Square Theatre, St. Paul)

The North American premiere of this British import likely will wow audiences with its puppetry by co-directors Emily Lim and Toby Olié. But this family-friendly story of a greedy reptile being outwitted by courageous forest creatures has infectious, toe-tapping music by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab and Tom Brady (no, not the retired NFL quarterback). (Oct. 1-Nov. 23, Children’s Theatre Co., Mpls.)

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” inspired Rosa Guy to write the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl,” which then was turned into a 1990 musical by playwright and lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty. Under the direction of Kelli Foster Warder, the show promises to be a burst of light, sounds and color. The cast includes Antonisia Collins as Ti Moune, Charla Marie Bailey as Mama Euralie and Erin Farsté as goddess of love Erzulie. (Oct. 2-26, Artistry, Bloomington)

Carlyle Brown’s play about entertainer Bert Williams has been a yearslong passion project, with a developmental reading in 2012. A Black man, Williams excelled at blackface during the vaudeville era, playing with masks and fighting to turn an ugly stereotype into something more palatable. “The identity of the American Negro was created in the theater with minstrel shows, our first national entertainment,” Brown said, adding that the show is set in a dressing room on the last day of Williams’ life. Onetime Guthrie actor Shawn Hamilton plays Williams in a cast that includes Dennis Spears and Regina Marie Williams. Victor Zupanc provides musical supervision and Brown directs. (Oct. 3-25, Illusion Theater, Mpls.)

Penumbra Theatre teams with Teatro del Pueblo for José Rivera’s absurdist play. “Marisol” centers on a copy editor who wakes up one day to find that her world has been transformed into a dystopia because her guardian angel is in a battle with a God who has become senile. Sarah Bellamy directs. (Oct. 9-Nov. 2, Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul)

To mark its 100th production, Theater Latté Da has assembled an all-star cast of actor-singers for this limited run cabaret curated by co-founder Denise Prosek and director Justin Lucero. They will guide a selection of songs from the company’s biggest hits for an evening hosted by Tod Petersen and featuring Erin Capello, Isa Condo-Olvera and Bradley Greenwald. (Oct. 8-19, Theater Latté Da at the Ritz Theatre at the Ritz Theatre, Mpls.)

Eboni Booth’s play about rediscovery and resilience centers on a 38-year-old bookstore worker who tries to find himself after being laid off. Powerhouse performers Will Sturdivant, Nubia Monks and Pearce Bunting have been cast in this regional premiere that’s being staged by Marshall Jones III. (Oct. 11–Nov. 16, Guthrie Theater, Mpls.)