According to Kevin McKenzie, artistic director of American Ballet Theatre, the company's Within You Without You: A Tribute to George Harrison was conceived the day the Beatle died in 2001. "We were lamenting his passing and feeling a little old," he explains. "And someone asked, 'Has anyone ever done a ballet to the Beatles?' and I just said, 'We're going to.'" The half-hour piece pools the work of four disparate choreographers. Seventeen dancers move to original Harrison and Beatles recordings, including "Something," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "My Sweet Lord." Within You Without You is paired with performances of Alexander Glazounov's Raymonda (Divertissements) and Antony Tudor's Pillar of Fire. "It's a hundred years' worth of dance," McKenzie says. "It's like watching the universality of youth." American Ballet Theatre is at the State Theatre (1519 Euclid Avenue) at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $15 to $70, available by calling 216-241-6000. -- Michael Gallucci
Toothless Comedy
SAT 3/13
Jeff Foxworthy's hillbilly humor pretty much revolves around his "You might be a redneck if . . ." shtick. And that's OK -- as long as country folk keep having sex with their cousins, he's guaranteed a gig. He plays the Palace Theatre (1519 Euclid Avenue) at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $35 and $45; call 216-241-6000. -- Michael Gallucci
Topsy Turvy
SAT 3/13
Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado famously endured a lot of problems (caused mostly by the duo's embittered relationship) on its way to the stage a century ago. The fabulous results of the Japanese-flavored Brit opera can be seen at E.J. Thomas Hall (198 Hill Street in Akron) at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 to $40; call 330-972-7570. -- Michael Gallucci
