Dave Mordal
If Ford/"Dirty Jobs" guy Mike Rowe were crankier and filthier, you'd have Dave Mordal. A two-time contestant on "Last Comic Standing," the Elk River-born comic can pin "Leno" appearances and loads of "KQ Morning Show" guest spots to his résumé. In 2009 he landed the hosting duties on Discovery Channel's travel/reality show "Wreckreation Nation." In his standup act, Mordal exasperates about life's little foibles, a well-tred vein of comedy that his act manages to keep fresh. -Jay Boller
SuperGroup
SuperGroup (Sam Johnson, Erin Search-Wells and Jeffrey Wells) takes over the stage for Week 2 of Red Eye Theater's New Works 4 Weeks Festival. "The Tent Has Been Pulled Down" promises yet another sly take from the troupe on dance/theater conventions, with an emphasis on upending every conceivable one. This work jumps into the generational divide between the SuperGroup members and their parents, exploring the many ways people try to communicate -- sometimes successfully, sometimes not. With scenic design by Abbey Kleinert. -Caroline Palmer
'Noises Off'
New York Times theater critic Frank Rich has called Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" "the funniest play written in my lifetime." That's high praise, and if your tastes lean at all toward the farcical, you'll be inclined to agree after seeing the Jungle Theater's new production of this play about a play (got that?) gone terribly wrong. The Jungle has a knack for producing the best summer shows in town, especially when Joel Sass -- one of the best directors in town -- is at the helm, as he is here. -Jay Gabler
Ballet of the Dolls: 'Memphis Blues'
Pop legend Cyndi Lauper has proven her vocal versatility time after time since she burst onto MTV in the early 1980s. Now she's given her personal stamp of approval to Ballet of the Dolls to use music from her 2010 album "Memphis Blues" for a new production of the same name choreographed by artistic director Myron Johnson. The recording represented a departure for Lauper as she sang traditional tunes alongside blues stars. As for Johnson, expect a one-of-a-kind work that not only honors the brave new direction of a favorite singer but also the dancing of several longtime company members. Johnson said Lauper may show up in person for one or more of the performances. -Caroline Palmer
