Guillermo, salsa and plenty of theater: Your weekend arts guide

The Angel of Death from Guillermo del Toro's 'Hellboy II'
The Angel of Death from Mia's Guillermo del Toro's exhibit.
Jay Gabler | MPR

Don't let "Grease" slip away

There's no need to panic: You have until October to see "Grease," now playing at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. On the other hand, there's no sense putting it off. You are definitely going to want to see this show, thanks to its enthusiastic, energetic cast and expert direction. Aleks Knezevich and Caroline Innerbichler breathe life and heart into Danny and Sandy, and the whole ensemble demonstrates just how much fun a goofy musical can be.

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"Matilda" brings her magic to town

Art Hound Janna Knittel recommends the touring production of "Matilda the Musical" at the Orpheum Theatre. Based on Roald Dahl's book for children, it celebrates the power of literacy and highly literate 5 year olds. Especially the ones with magical powers. Performances run March 28 through April 2.

War as women soldiers saw it

Another Art Hound, Rachel Smoka-Richardson, echoes Star Tribune critic Graydon Royce in praising "She Went to War" at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The Telling Project brought four female veterans together to create and perform a piece about their own experiences. Royce describes the result as "absolutely riveting, emotional and honorable." The show closes April 2.

Disturbing decor from Guillermo del Toro

Not that many people would decorate their homes in the style of Guillermo del Toro. The moviemaker's imagination is vivid and dark, and so is the stuff he's collected for his house. The Minneapolis Institute of Art's exhibit, "Guillermo del Toro: At home with Monsters," will be fascinating to fans of "Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy 2" and "Pacific Rim."

Salsa dancing in Mahtomedi

Maybe, instead of sitting in a theater seat, you'd like to kick up your heels. For that, there's salsa dancing at 7:30 Saturday night in the White Bear UU Church in Mahtomedi. The event, with live music by Salsa del Soul, is a fundraiser for the Tropical Wings organization, which works to preserve habitat for migratory birds that travel the St. Croix River flyway. Salsa instruction and actual salsa dip available. Call 612-747-8267 for information.

A ballet about a variety show in a prison

We're a week out from "Titicut Follies, the Ballet," performed at the Cowles Center by the James Sewell Ballet. In the meantime, you could go to the Walker Art Center on Wednesday for a screening of the 1967 Frederick Wiseman documentary of the same name. The film and the ballet focus on a prison for the criminally insane, where the inmates and staff put on a show. The Walker event includes a live dialogue between Sewell and Wiseman.