CALVIN’S MONSTER In this high-energy musical, a boy faces down his fears with the help of the fairy-tale characters he summons in the library. Adapted and directed by Burgess Clark, with a talented cast and a toe-tapping score by Jesse Soursourian and Austin Davy. Through Feb. 12. Presented by Boston Children’s Theatre. At Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston. 617-424-6634, www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org
TERRY BYRNE
DANCE
UNDERLAND Stephen Petronio’s provocative 2003 work surely bears the scars of 9/11 as it transports the talented dancers of his company to a dark, often fiery place before flickering with redemption. Set to the bittersweet, slightly gothic songs of Nick Cave, the work unfolds before a three-panel screen of projected video imagery. World Music/CRASHarts presents the work’s Boston premiere. Feb. 10-12. $40. Institute of Contemporary Art. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org
SIMPLY SUBLIME Boston Ballet’s spring season opener combines the world premiere of Florence Clerc’s staging of Michel Fokine’s romantic classic “Les Sylphides’’ with George Balanchine’s “Symphony in Three Movements,’’ a boldly architectural work for large ensemble set to a rousing score by Stravinsky. In between is Christopher Wheeldon’s “Polyphonia,’’ a playfully inventive romp for four couples. Feb. 9-19. $25-$137. Boston Opera House. 617-695-6955, www.bostonballet.org
CLASSICAL LOVERS Just in time for Valentine’s Day, José Mateo Ballet Theatre opens a program featuring three of the choreographer’s more romantically inclined works: the lighthearted “Courtly Lovers’’ (2003), set to Haydn’s charming “Surprise’’ Symphony; the breezy, playful “Back to Bach’’ (2002), and the elegant “Schubert Adagio’’ (1991). Feb. 10-26. $38. Sanctuary Theatre, Cambridge. 617-354-7467, www.ballettheatre.org
