Oscar Wilde’s most popular play has been called the funniest in the English language. Algernon and Jack are in love with two delectable young women, both of whom have illogically sworn to marry only men named Ernest. Outrageous frivolity with intricate twists and turns, The Importance of Being Earnest is like Downton Abbey with Oscar Wilde’s wit.
Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twigg Street in Old Town, 7:30 p.m., tickets $34, 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.com
Air Supply
friday, sept. 27
Air Supply
The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple yet majestic songs created a unique sound that would forever be known as Air Supply. The duo has had a succession of hits worldwide for the last 35 years including “Lost In Love,” “All Out of Love,” “Making Love Out of Nothing At All,” “I Can Wait Forever,” “Every Woman In The World” and “The One That You Love.” Billboard named them as one of the best musical acts of all time in the Billboard Hot 100’s 50 year anniversary edition.
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets $49, 800-745-3000, humphreysconcerts.com
Ain’t Misbehavin’
saturday, sept. 28
Ain’t Misbehavin’
The inimitable Thomas “Fats” Waller rose to international fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club, honky tonk dives along Lenox Avenue, rent parties, stride piano players and that jumpin’ new beat, Swing. Although not quite a biography, Ain’t Misbehavin’ evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums and sings the songs he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets from $26, 619-239-8836, sdmt.org
Adams Avenue Street Fair
sunday, sept. 29
Adams Avenue Street Fair
The 32nd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair will feature more than 90 artists performing on seven stages along Adams Avenue, located in the Normal Heights community. In addition to the great music, there will be three beer gardens, a beer tasting area, giant carnival rides, and more than 300 vendors.
Adams Avenue Street Fair, Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., free, adamsavenuebusiness.com
Instruments of Torture
monday, sept. 30
Instruments of Torture
This limited engagement presentation is a gripping exhibition featuring implements cruelly engineered to inflict unbelievable pain and suffering. But these artifacts also have a deeper significance in helping us understand who we are as human beings. By exploring why torture occurs, even in today’s world, this exhibition compels us to ask “Are people the real instruments of torture?”
Please Note: Children under age 13 are not admitted to this exhibit without their parent or legalguardian.
San Diego Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado in Balboa Park, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., adult admission $20 includes admission to the main museum, 619-239-2001, museumofman.org
tuesday, oct. 1
The Last Goodbye
Talisa Friedman stars as Juliet and Jay Armstrong Johnson as Romeo in The Last Goodbye. | PHOTO: MATTHEW MURPHY
Two-time Tony Award-nominated director Alex Timbers ( Peter and the Starcatcher ) joins forces with 2013 Emmy Award-nominated choreographer Sonya Tayeh (TV’s So You Think You Can Dance ) and a cast of leading young Broadway talent to bring Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to new musical life. The unforgettable music of Jeff Buckley (including “Hallelujah” ) will stir your soul as thrilling swordplay and stagecraft stir your pulse. The Last Goodbye is a breathtaking and hugely entertaining new musical!
Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park, 7 p.m., tickets from $29, 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org
wednesday, oct. 2
Late Nite Catechism: Sister Rolls the Dice
This show is the latest class in the sinfully funny Catechism series. The convent needs a new roof, so the Order has decided that Sister (with her extensive gambling experience running the Church Bingo game for the last 25 years) will organize a Las Vegas night! Sister will tackle topics ranging from magicians and show girls to live animal acts and the dangers of drive-through marriage chapels. Don’t forget: “What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas,” but God sees everything!
The Welk Resort Theater, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive in Escondido, 7 p.m., tickets $45, 760-749-3000, welkresorts.com
