BARBER'S BEST BETS

For the News & Messenger

MOVIES

Opening Friday:

» “Fame” is an updated re-make of the popular 1980 movie about talented young people attending New York’s School for the Performing Arts.

» “Surrogates” stars Bruce Willis as a police detective in the “near future” investigating the murder of a person killed while living out a fantasy through a robotic surrogate.

» “Bright Star” is a lush romantic drama from Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Jane Campion (“The Piano”) following the ill-fated relationship between poet John Keats and designer and debutante
Fanny Braun.

THEATER

» The fascinating theatrical presentation known as “Cavalia” has been extended. This performance piece, created by one of the founders of Cirque du Solei and featuring performers and horses working in
amazing harmony, will continue its current run under the big white top near the Pentagon through Oct. 4.

Call 888-999-8111 or visit www.cavalia.net for tickets and more.

» The Heritage-O’Neill Theatre in Bethesda opens a production of the playwright’s “A Touch of the Poet” on Friday.

Performances will be presented Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 17. The theater is located at 8011 Old Georgetown Rd., a half mile from the Bethesda Metro station. Free parking is also
available.

For directions, tickets and more information, call 301-770-9080 or visit www.theheritagetheatre. org.

» 1st Stage Theatre in Tyson’s Corner presents the 17th Century romantic comedy/drama “The Game of Love and Chance.”

This tale of two lovers, who switch identities with their servants to avoid arranged marriages, runs through Oct. 4.

For tickets and more information, visit www.1ststagespringhill. org or call 800-838-3006.

Closing this week

» “Cosi Fan Tutte Goes Hollywood,” produced by the IN Series at the Source Theatre in Washington.

» “First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb,” at Signature Theatre in Arlington

» “From U Street to The Cotton Club,” another IN Series revue at Source Theatre

» “Camille: A Tearjerker,” performed by the Washington Shakespeare Company at the Clark Street Playhouse in Arlington

CLUBS & CONCERTS

» The Patriot Center turns a lovely-and rowdy-shade of Pink, as the hot young vocalist brings her Funhouse tour to the center on Saturday.

» Brian Stokes Mitchell, described by the New York Times as “Broadway’s last great leading man,” visits George Mason University’s Center for the Arts the same night.

He’ll share the stage with the American Festival Pops Orchestra for an evening of classic show and pop tunes.

» The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria has a jam packed week ahead, beginning with jazz pianist Keiko Matsui tonight, followed by The Subdudes on Friday.

R & B favorites The Whispers take the stage on Sept. 27, while jazz giants Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White are the headliners on Sept. 28.

» Constitution Hall in the District presents the band Snow Patrol on Friday and showcases the first local tour stop by current dance music rage Lady Gaga on the 29th.

DC native and former “In Living Color” star Tommy Davidson does a four-night gig at the DC Improv from tonight to Sept. 27.

The club presents its annual Funniest Celebrity in Washington competition on the 30th.

» Merriweather Post Pavilion offers an evening of country music, featuring some of the rising stars and bands of the genre, including Hootie & the Blowfish front man Darrius Rucker and the band Little Big
Town, on Sept. 27.

» The neo-country sound of Lucinda Williams fills the Rams Head Live! in Baltimore on Sept 29. The Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis presents The Bacon Brothers Band, led by actor Kevin Bacon and his
brother, for two nights, Friday and Saturday

Joe Barber is contributing entertainment editor for the News & Messenger.