Barber's Best Bets for this weekend

On stage

 --Metro Stage in Alexandria has extended the run of the Tom Stoppard comedy “The Real Inspector Hound.”  It will now close on May 29.

-- The Washington Shakespeare Company will present a series of “pay what you can” previews of “Tennessee Continuum” at Arts Sphere in Rosslyn (formerly the Newseum.)  The production consists of several short plays written by Tennessee Williams, the author of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”  The previews take place on May 19, 20, 21 and 22.  “Continuum” runs through July 13.

-- Long-time friends discuss and dissect their connections with and to each other in Harold Pinter’s play “Old Friends.”  The Shakespeare Theatre Company performs the play at their Landsburgh stage on Seventh Street in downtown Washington.   It runs through July 3.

-- 1^st Stage Theatre, based in Tyson’s Corner, mixes up a cocktail of  laughs with a splash of British wit and music in “By Jeeves.”  Based on the stories of P.G. Woodhouse, this musical comedy features tunes by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Alan Ayckborn.  “By Jeeves” opens May 20 and runs through July 19.

-- The Landless Theatre Company goes for the gusto -- and the laughs -- with The B Team.  Performed at the DC Arts Center on 18^th Street in Adams-Morgan, the production runs from May 20 to June 19.

-- Finally, several shows are closing this weekend.  “Liberty Smith” at Ford’s Theatre, “Art” at Signature Theatre and “Farragut North” at Olney Theatre Center all bring down their final curtains. “Smith” concludes on May 21 and “Art” and “Farragut North” end on May 22.

In clubs and in concert

-- The Birchmere sings a soulful tune with the Five Blind Boys of Alabama on May 19.  The close and crystal like harmonies of En Vogue fill the hall on May 20 and 21.

 -- The State Theatre in Falls Church presents a farewell tour stop by the Radiators on May 21.

-- Country star Jason Alden takes the stage at Jiffy Lube Live (formerly Nissan Pavilion) on Saturday. 

-- Blues Alley in Georgetown presents the “Godfather of Go-Go,” the one and only Chuck Brown, for three nights from May 20 to 22.   Local favorite Dick Morgan and his Quartet play the Alley on the 23^rd. 

-- The iconic Paul Simon plays DAR Constitution Hall in support of his new album, “So Beautiful…or So What?,” on the 25^th. 

-- Comedian Allan Havey does four nights of stand-up, from May 19 to 22, at the DC Improv.  

-- The original Cars reunite and hit the road with a stop at the 9:30 Club on May 23 and vocalist Raphel Sadiq on May 25,

-- The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra celebrates “Rogers and Hammerstein at the Movies” with an evening of tunes from their musicals which were adapted for the silver screen, on May 19 at the Music Center at Strathmore Hall.  

-- The National Philharmonic Orchestra presents Verdi’s “Requiem” on May 21.

 -- Stephanie Mills does an intimate show at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis on May 19.

A final note: Please join me and fellow film critic Bill Henry as we host the latest edition of the DC Film Society’s Coming Attractions Show.  It takes place Wednesday, May 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Landmark Theaters E Street Cinemas in downtown DC.  We’ll be showing more than two dozen trailers for upcoming films, have you vote on the best of the bunch and answer your movie questions.  You’ll also be able to pick up free movie-related items and enter raffles for prizes.  For more information, visit the Film Society’s web site at www.dcfilmsociety.org. 

See you on the 25^th!

Joe Barber’s entertainment reviews and reports can be heard Fridays through Sundays on the WTOP.