Best Bets: Pagliacci, a circus and more

No business like shoe business

A Broadway musical that won 1980s pop star Cyndi Lauper a Tony Award for Best Score gets a single showing Monday at Symphony Hall. "Kinky Boots," book by Harvey Fierstein, is the story of Charlie Price, the son behind Price & Sons shoe factory. When business leans bleak, he pairs with Lola, a cabaret and drag performer, to create something new.

When the show premiered on Broadway, a New York Times reviewer raved about Lauper's contributions to the show. "This storied singer has created a love and heat-seeking score that performs like a pop star on Ecstacy. Try to resist if you must. But for at least the first half of this tale of lost souls in the shoe business, you might as well just give it up to the audience-hugging charisma of her songs."

Kinky Boots plays at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Symphony Hall at the DECC. Tickets start at $45 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets including www.ticketmaster.com and the DECC box office.

Tenor troubles

Tito Merelli, a world famous Italian tenor, is slated to star in a Cleveland Grand Opera Company production of "Pagliacci" - except his assistant has accidentally double-dosed him with tranquilizers. Tito's wife is steamed because of his flirtatious ways, his assistant has secret operatic dreams and when Tito takes a nap, it looks a lot like he's dead. There's still a show to do, though, and someone has to slip into Tito's shoes.

The New York Times has called "Lend Me a Tenor," the Duluth Playhouse's second show to be staged at the updated NorShor Theatre, "one of two great farces by a living writer." Playwright Ken Ludwig's comedy premiered in London in 1986 and Broadway in 1989.

The Duluth Playhouse's production of "Lend Me a Tenor" is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday April 5-15 at the NorShor Theatre, 211 E. Superior St. Tickets: Available at www.duluthplayhouse.org .

Matinee Musicale brings in Grammy Award-winning guitarist

Grammy Award-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux will perform Tuesday as part of Matinee Musicale's season.

Vieaux, who incorporates classical, jazz, tango and pop music into his solo concerts, was described by National Public Radio as "perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarists of his generation."

His album "Play" won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo in 2015 and his recording of "Zapateado" landed on NPR's list of 50 Favorite Songs of 2014 (So Far).

Matinee Musicale's concert featuring Jason Vieaux is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E. Fourth St. Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors and students are free and are available at www.matineemusicale.org .

Afroman returns to Duluth

Afroman, the comedic hip-hop artist and Grammy Award-nominee behind the song "Because I Got High" returns to Duluth for a show Sunday at The Red Herring Lounge.

Afroman, self-described as a "hungry hustler," has had a reason to re-release his signature song in 2014 as part of the legalization of marijuana movement.

Afroman plays at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Red Herring Lounge, 208 E. First St. Tickets: Start at $20 and are available at www.tsjrevents.ticketleap.com .

Relieve your fever

Georgia Rae Family Band is a crew of Midwest-bred bluegrass-playing sisters with a progressive sound. They tack on a bit of jazz, swing and harmonies to their folk-Americana-roots music. The group, which plays as part of the weekend-long Cabin Fever Reliever, features fiddle champ Georgia Rae, singer-uke player Kelly Jo and Quin on mandolin and banjo. Also on the bill for the annual event that includes intimate shows, open mics, swing dancing, workshops, jams, and a chance to hobnob: Cousin Dad, Patty & The Buttons, The Fish Heads, TrueGrass Trio, May North, Double Down Daredevils, Timbre Junction, Seldom Herd, Sarah Mae & The Birkeland Boys, Rosby Corner and Country Gentleman.

Cabin Fever Reliever is Friday-Sunday at Radisson Harborview Hotel, 505 W. Superior St. Tickets: $15 Friday, $20 Saturday. For more info, go to www.minnesotabluegrass.org .

Homegrown invades the Range

As for those with Homegrown fever: Here's a sneak peek at the shenanigans to come. Homegrown Music Festival's Iron Range Invasion is Friday with a buncha bands playing at Range-based locations. It's free and all the venues are within walking distance of each other in Virginia.

In the lineup: Teague Alexy Band, Jen West, The Lately's, Average Mammals.

SCHEDULE

218 Taphouse, 235 Chestnut St., Virginia6 p.m.: Church & State

7 p.m.: Jen West

8 p.m.: The Lately's

Pauly G's, 218 Chestnut St., Virginia

7:30 p.m.: Hobo Revival

8:45 p.m.: Teague Alexy Band

10 p.m.: Fight for the Weekend

Riders on Main, 402 Chestnut St., Virginia

8:30 p.m.: Dirty Apes

9:30 p.m.: Nopamine

11 p.m.: War Bonnet

Tommy's Rainy Lake Saloon, 207 Chestnut St., Virginia

9 p.m.: Psycho Jane

10:30 p.m.: Paper Parlor

11:45 p.m.: Average Mammals

Boom! Circus plays at Depot stage

Boom! Circus is a family-friendly show that combines commedia dell'arte and the circus. Peter Sweet and David Poznanter play six characters and perform an entire circus that includes a slack rope, Cyr Wheel, juggling and live music.

The event is among the first in the newly rebranded Depot Theatre stage, which will now host family-friendly events. It's part of the Playhouse Family Theatre, which is looking to expand its offerings.

Boom! Circus is at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Depot Theatre stage, 506 W. Michigan St.

Tickets: $20 adults, $15 youth at www.playhouse.org .