CALENDAR

Press releases for arts and entertainment events and programs should be typed, double-spaced, with basic information about the event, performance dates and times, location, ticket prices and a public telephone number. Send notices two to three weeks before the event to Preview, 28765 Single Oak Drive, Suite 100, Temecula CA 92590 or via e-mail to calpreview@californian.com. Or fax items to (951) 694-1215.

LOCAL CONCERTS

Weekly at The Merc ---- Jazz at The Merc (7:30 p.m. Thursdays, $15), Live at The Merc (8 p.m. Fridays, $15), Gospel at The Merc (2:30 p.m. Saturdays, $15), Country at The Merc (7 and 9 p.m. Saturdays, $15) and Classics at The Merc (3 p.m. Sundays, $11 adults and $5 students); The Merc, Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Songwriter Showcase ---- Every week two new artists perform a 45-minute set of original music. Tim Moyer opens the show with a few of his award winning originals; 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; The Edge Restaurant & Lounge, 28544 Old Town Front St., Temecula; free; 951-506-3343.

Rob Thomas ---- With OneRepublic and Carolina Liar; 8 p.m. Oct. 23; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $75-$110 (VIP Gold and Silver packages available); 877-711-2946.

"A Fall Gathering" ---- The Temecula Valley Master Chorale will present the first concert of its 10th anniversary season. According to director John Byun, "This concert will feature an eclectic variety of choral music and composers. The first half will feature a range of music from serious choral literature such as Gabriel Faure's 'Canique de Jean Racine' to the not so serious, 'Of Crows and Clusters' by Norman Dello Joio. But don't be fooled, the music is all serious, in fact, very difficult at times. Just some of the text you will hear is of the light-hearted." The second half of the concert will conclude with the beautiful "Liebeslider Waltzer (Love-song Waltzes)" by Johannes Brahms. This work features 18 short songs that depict the joy and rapture of love and all texts chosen from Daumer's "Polydora." The singers will be accompanied by piano four-hands, Wendi Turk and Joyce Braley. Winners from the Chrorale's 2008-09 youth vocal competition will also be featured; 4 p.m. Oct. 24 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25; Grace Presbyterian Church, 31143 Nicolas Road, Temecula; 951-302-1652, temeculavalleymasterchorale.org.

Yolanda Del Rio ---- 8 p.m. Oct. 28; AC's Lounge, Soboba Casino, 23333 Soboba Road, San Jacinto; $25; ticketmaster.com.

Phish Festival 8 ---- Oct. 30-Nov. 1; Empire Polo Grounds, Indio; $199 (RV and car camping tickets available); children younger than 5 are admitted free; phish.com.

Billy Currington ---- With special guest, The Doo-Wah Riders; 8 p.m. Nov. 5; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $35-$50; 877-711-2946.

Jason Ringenberg/Sourdough Slim ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 8 p.m. Nov. 6; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20; 866-653-8696.

Rockfest 2009 ---- With Warrant, Great White, Gilby Clark, Adler's Appetite and Pretty Boy Floyd (all ages show); 7 p.m. Nov. 7; The Diamond, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore; $30-$100; 951-245-4487, stormbaseball.com.

"Music and Dance" ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $12.50-$31; 866-653-8696.

Torch Songs and Big Band Jazz with Sherry Williams ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 2 p.m. Nov. 8; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $31-$37; 866-653-8696.

311 ---- 8 p.m. Nov. 11; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $49.50-$59.50; 877-711-2946.

Julio Iglesias ---- 8 p.m. Nov. 19; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $50-$85; 877-711-2946.

Sara Evans Christmas Show ---- 8 p.m. Dec. 3; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $45-$75; 877-711-2946.

"Christmas in the Air" ---- 10th annual concert presented by the Southwest Women's Chorus and assisted by members of the Wings of Praise Youth Choir. The Christmas concert will include a mix of familiar and unfamiliar carols and audience singalongs. Our special guest this year will be the Wings of Praise Youth Choir, directed by Miss Nonnie. The chorus will be doing its own set of spiritual and gospel music as well. A highlight of this concert the first local performance of the Porpora Magnificat, a sparkling baroque piece (think Vivaldi). Assisting us on this work will be Lorian Dunlop, Principal Cellist of the Inland Valley Symphony; 2 p.m. Dec. 5-6; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $9-$16; 866-653-8696.

"Candlelight Classics" ---- Festive holiday music at The Merc by the California Chamber Brass Quintet. Featuring Renaissance, Baroque, Brass and holiday music; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 13; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $25; 866-653-8696.

A Holiday Party with the Big Band All Stars ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 2 p.m. Dec. 27; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $31-$37; 866-653-8696.

Wiggins and Harris ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 8 p.m. Jan. 15, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20; 866-653-8696.

"California Hit Parade: A Multi-Media Romp Through the Golden State" ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 2 p.m. Jan. 17, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $35-$37 ($31 group rate); 866-653-8696.

Eden Brent/Blues Piano Trio ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 8 p.m. Feb. 5, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20; 866-653-8696.

"Instruments and Voices II" ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $12.50-$30 (age 12 and younger $2.50 with paid adult); 866-653-8696.

"The Hot New Musicals: Mamma Mia to Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wicked to Les Mis" ---- The Cabaret Pops Orchestra with Debbie Prutsman, John Lalonde, Lisa Livesay and Paul Kehler, conducted by Scott Smith. Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 2 p.m. Feb. 28, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $35-$37 ($31 group rate); 866-653-8696.

"Winds a' Blowin'" ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 3 p.m. April 18, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $12.50-$30 (age 12 and younger $2.50 with paid adult); 866-653-8696.

Moonalice ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 8 p.m. March 19, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20; 866-653-8696.

Mark Knopfler ---- The Get Lucky Tour; 8 p.m. April 15; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $85-$120; 877-711-2946.

Dennis Jones ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 8 p.m. April 16, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20; 866-653-8696.

Jeffrey Solow ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 7:30 p.m. May 29, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $12.50-$30 (age 12 and younger $2.50 with paid adult); 866-653-8696.

"The Big Band All Stars Swing Gershwin" ---- The Big Band All Stars with Cassie Miller and Richard Leibell, conducted by Jeff Stover and Al Yankee. Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 2 p.m. May 30, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $35-$37 ($31 group rate); 866-653-8696.

"Two Plus Two: Fantastic Duets from Disney to Sondheim" ---- Kirsten and Stan Chandler and Kim Huber and husband, Roger Befeler ("Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway and the national tour) will star. Yes, there will be some "boy/girl" duets, but also, two gals doing "In His Eyes" from "Jekyll and Hyde" and two guys doing "Agony" from "Into the Woods." Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 2 p.m. April 25, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $35-$37 ($31 group rate); 866-653-8696.

"The Magic of Mozart" ---- Part of the Temecula Presents Series; 7:30 p.m. June 19, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $12.50-$30 (age 12 and younger $2.50 with paid adult); 866-653-8696.

San Diego County

ROCK & POP

U2 ---- With Black Eyed Peas; 7 p.m. Sunday; Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena; sold out; 714- 740-2000, ticketmaster.com or livenation.com.

The Bouncing Souls ---- With Bayside, Broadway Calls; 7 p.m. Oct. 29; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $19-$20; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Gift of Gab ---- of hip-hop group Blackalicious; 9 p.m. Oct. 29; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $14-$16; 858-481-8140 or bellyup.com.

Rakim ---- Hip-hop; 8 p.m. Oct. 29; Canes Bar & Grill, 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach; 858-488-1780 or canesbarandgrill.com.

Dirty Projectors ---- 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30; Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., San Diego; $15; 619-232-4355 or casbah.frontgatetickets.com.

Alice Cooper ---- 8 p.m. Oct. 31; Open Sky Theater, Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort, 777 Harrah's Rincon Way, Valley Center; $40-$100; 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Heartbreaker: A Live Halloween Rock Tribute to Led Zeppelin ---- 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31; California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $20-$25; 800-988-4253 or artcentner.org.

The Night Marchers ---- With the Creepy Creeps; 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31; the Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego; $13; 619-232-4355 or casbahmusic.com.

Puscifer ---- Features Maynard Keenan of Tool; 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, San Diego; $39.50-$85; 619-220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

Hardcore Halloween at SOMA ---- Seconds From Disaster, Vanguard, As They Burn Alive, Murder of the Dancefloor, With Liberty, Remains Forgotten, L'Amore Antietam; 6 p.m. Oct. 31; 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Suite I, San Diego; $10; 619-226-7662 or somasandiego.com.

The Bravery ---- With the Howling Bells; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $19.50-$35; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Minus the Bear ---- With the Antlers, Twin Tigers; 8 p.m. Nov. 2; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $17-$19; 858-481-8140 or bellyup.com.

The Airborne Toxic Event ---- With the Henry Clay People, Red Cortez; 8 p.m. Nov. 3; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $15-$17.50; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Shonen Knife ---- With Ty Segall, Mermaid; 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3; the Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego; $16; 619-232-4355 or casbahmusic.com.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros ---- With the Temper Trap, Family of the Year; 8 p.m. Nov. 3; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $12-$14; 858-481-8140 or bellyup.com.

Dinosaur Jr. ---- With Low Barlow and the Missingmen; 9 p.m. Nov. 4; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $26; 858-481-8140 or bellyup.com.

Lucero ---- 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4; the Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego; $18; 619-232-4355 or casbahmusic.com.

Dropkick Murphys ---- With Youth Brigade, the Flatliners, the Insurgence; 7 p.m. Nov. 5; SOMA San Diego, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Suite I, San Diego; $25; 619-226-7662 or somasandiego.com.

Sea Wolf ---- With Sara Lov; 8 p.m. Nov. 5; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $10-$12; 858-481-8140 or bellyup.com.

All Time Low ---- With Hey Monday, the Friday Night Boys; 7 p.m. Nov. 6; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $21-$23; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Lawrence Arms ---- With Teenage Bottlerocket, Cobra Skulls; 8:30 p.m. Nov. 6; the Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego; $12; 619-232-4355 or casbahmusic.com.

The English Beat ---- 9 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $20; 858-481-8140 or bellyup.com.

Mat Kearney ---- With Vedera; 8 p.m. Nov. 7; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $20-$22.50; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Hanson ---- With Steel Train, Sherwood, Hellogoodbye; 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $35-$52.50; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Revival Tour ---- With Chuck Ragan, Jim Ward, Frank Turner, Joey Cape, Audra Mae; 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8; the Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego; $16-$18; 619-232-4355 or casbahmusic.com.

Switchfoot ---- With the New Archaic; 6 p.m. Nov. 8; East County Performing Arts Center, 210 Main St., El Cajon; $15; 800-696-1929 or tickets.cyt.org.

JAZZ, R&B & BLUES

Peter Sprague ---- Solo jazz guitar; 7 p.m. Thursday; The Roxy Restaurant, 517 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas; free for diners; 760-436-5001.

Gilbert Castellanos & the New Latin Jazz Quartet ---- 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday; Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside; $10-$15; 760-435-3720 or oma-online.org.

Frequency Sneak Peek ---- MiraCosta College's vocal jazz ensemble's first concert of the year; 7:30 p.m. Friday; Creative Arts Complex, Studio A, MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside; $10, general; $8, students and seniors; 760-795-6815 or miracosta.edu/events.

Peter Sprague and Kevyn Lettau ---- Acoustic guitar and voice; 7 p.m. Thursday; The Roxy Restaurant, 517 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas; free for diners; 760-436-5001.

Oceanside Music Festival: "Big Band" ---- Tom Morrow leads the Oceanside Society Orchestra in a program of big band jazz music; 2 p.m. Monday; Peyri Hall Lawn, Mission San Luis Rey, 4070 Mission Road, Oceanside; $15, adults; $12, students, seniors and military; $10, children; $25 for family package; $35 for festival pass; 760-433-3632.

Navy Band Southwest ---- 7 p.m. Oct. 29; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; free; 800-988-4253 or www.artcenter.org.

Jaeryoung Lee Jazz Piano Trio ---- Noon Nov. 2; Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla; free; 858-454-5872 or ljathenaeum.org.

Boyz II Men ---- R&B; 8 p.m. Nov. 4; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $37.50-$65; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band ---- 8 p.m. Nov. 5; House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego; $25-$45; 619-299-2583 or hob.com/sandiego.

George Duke ---- Fusion jazz; 7 p.m. Nov. 6; Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad; $75; 760-438-59996 or museumofmakingmusic.org.

COUNTRY & FOLK

Tony Furtado ---- Folk and bluegrass; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Acoustic Music San Diego, 4650 Mansfield St. (Normal Heights United Methodist Church), San Diego; $20; 619-303-8176 or acousticmusicsandiego.com.

Flute Spirits ---- American Indian flutists Gary Lemos and Sarah Thomson will perform on a collection of flutes in a healing concert sponsored by the South Coast Flute Circle; 7 p.m. Saturday; Nottingham Center for the Arts, 240 S. Bent Ave., San Marcos; (760) 752-1735.

Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys ---- With Cherryholmes; 8 p.m. Saturday; Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway; $45, adults; $5, youth under 18 with purchase of adult ticket; 858-748-0505 or powayarts.org.

"O Berkley, Where Hart Thou?" ---- Fourth annual production with San Diego folk musicians Berkley Hart and friends (7th Day Buskers, Tim Flannery, Gregory Page, Eve Selis, Dennis Caplinger) performing songs from the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and other period pieces; 8 p.m. Saturday; Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas; $20-$25; berkleyhart.com.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers ---- The film star and banjo player presents an evening of bluegrass music and banjo; 8 p.m. Oct. 30; Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; $43-$68; 714-556-2787 or www.ocpac.org.

Ronny Cox --- Actor/banjo player; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6; Oceanside Civic Center Library Community Room, 330 N. Coast Highway; $15; 760-435-5600.

Chris Clarke ---- Old-time/Appalachian/folk/blues musician; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas; $18; 858-566-4040 or sdfolkheritage.org.

Billy Currington ---- 8 p.m. Nov. 7; DreamCatcher at Viejas, Viejas Casino, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine; $42.50-$45; 888-512-7469 or viejasentertainment.com.

WORLD & REGGAE

Celtic Thunder ---- The Irish/Scottish vocal group; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego; 619-220-8497.

Elijah Emmanuel & The Revelations ---- Reggae; 9 p.m. Nov. 13; Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach; $13-$15; 858-481-8040 or bellyup.com.

Shen Yun Performing Arts ----- Spectular Chinese ensemble, with live orchestra, chronicles the 5,000-year history of China in music and dance; 7 p.m. Dec. 26-30; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 27; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego; $39-$119; 619-570-1100.

LOCAL COMEDY

Comedy Club at Pechanga ---- 8 p.m. shows Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 and 10 p.m. shows Fridays-Saturdays; Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $22; 877-711-2946, pechanga.com/comedyclub.

Bill Engval ---- 8 p.m. Nov. 7; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $55-$85; 877-711-2946, pechanga.com.

Ron White ---- 7 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 19; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $55-$85; 877-711-2946, pechanga.com.

LOCAL THEATER

"Murder Rides Again!" ---- Interactive western mystery-comedy dinner show; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 7 p.m. Saturdays, runs indefinitely; Country Garden Bar & Grill, 29000 Old Town Front St., Temecula; $32-$35; 951-323-3292.

"As You Like It" ---- The Inland Stage (formerly Murrieta Repertory Theatre) presents. Directed and adapted by Yvonne Flack, the production takes place in post-Industrialized England; 8 p.m. 23-25; Esplanade Arts Center, 2211 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto; $15; inlandstage.org.

"Don Giovanni" ---- Mozart's opera of lust, love and divine retribution opens Inland Valley Opera's 2009-2010 season; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

"The Grapes of Laugh, or Whose Whine is it Anyway?" ---- Improvisational game show situational comedy directed by Jim Marbury; Nov. 7, 14 and 21; Esplanade Arts Center, 2211 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto; $15; inlandstage.org.

"Disney's High School Musical" ---- Presented by Temecula Performing Arts Company. Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez come from two different worlds. Troy the basketball god and Gabriella the smart, stunning geek. When they meet at New Years Eve they instantly click. When they meet each other again at East High School, where Gabriella has transferred after winter break, they accidentally audition for the school's musical. The social cliques they belong to don't approve of this new friendship and try to separate them. At the same time, drama queen Sharpay Evans and her brother Ryanthe co-captains of the drama department try in every way to prevent Troy and Gabriella from winning over them in the callbacks. Can Troy and Gabriella lead their friends to a more open-mind thinking and acceptance of one another? Or will their friends win? Based on the Disney Channel's original movie. High School Musical live on stage brings all of your favaorite characters and songs to life.; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14, 20-21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 14-15 and 21-22; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $10-$15; 866-653-8696.

"Scrooge" ---- Presented by Temecula Valley Players. Leslie Bricusse's spectacular musical extravaganza, "Scrooge" is a heartwarming family story based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," with stunning sets and costumes and a fantastic musical score which features the Oscar-nominated hit "Thank You Very Much." Don't miss Ebenezer, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and a whole host of Dickensian characters; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6 and 12-13; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20-$28; 866-653-8696.

"A Christmas Carol" ---- This Charles Dickens classic tale of ghosts' redemption is adapted by the director; Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-20; Esplanade Arts Center, 2211 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto; $15; inlandstage.org.

Koresh Dance Company ---- An innovative and emotional artistic force, the Koresh Dance Company breaks through boundaries of traditional choreography and takes flight, offering the audience an exciting experience. The Philadelphia based group is emotionally dynamic; 8 p.m. Jan. 29-30, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15-$25; 866-653-8696.

"Rumors" ---- Presented by Temecula Valley Players. One of Neil Simon's finest comedies. Who shot the Mayor? Where is wife? Why is everyone laughing out loud at this fast-paced whimsy? Confusions and mis-communications mount, and the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. Directed by Mark Weisenberg. Due to mature subject matter, parental discretion is advised; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11-13, 18-20 and 2 p.m. Feb. 14 and 21; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20-$28; 866-653-8696.

"Rocky Horror Show" ---- On the way to visit an old college professor, two clean cut young people, Brad Majors and his fiancee Janet Weiss, run into trouble and seek help at the freaky Frankenstein mansion. However, little did they know that the mansion is inhabited by alien transsexuals from the planet Transylvania and Dr. Frank N Furter is in the midst of one of his maniacal experiments; Feb. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28; Esplanade Arts Center, 2211 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto; $15; inlandstage.org.

Trey McIntyre Project ---- This is a journey in flight that is at once compelling, explosive, exhilarating, captivating, transformative, and human. One of the most sought after choreographers working today, Trey McIntyre creates dances that authentically and clearly convey the emotion and grace of life's journey; 8 p.m. Feb. 26-27, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15-$25; 866-653-8696.

Backhausdance ---- At the forefront of Southern California dance, Backhausdance has an eclectic and dynamic vocabulary borrowing from many dance styles. Their movement is physically demanding and original with a wonderful sense of fluidity and strength. Their diverse repertory is entertaining, powerful, athletic, and technically impressive; 8 p.m. April 23-24, 2010; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15-$25; 866-653-8696.

"Rent" ---- Presented by Temecula Valley Players. Experience the musical that dared to change Broadway. This Pulitzer Prize-winning musical based loosely on Puccini's opera La Boheme brings heart-tugging reality to the lives of seven friends sharing an apartment in New York's East Village. Winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "Rent" is not to be missed. Directed by Jeremy Lapp; 7:30 p.m. May 13-15, 20-22, 6 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 15-16, 22-23; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20-$28; 866-653-8696.

San Diego County

"Alice in Wonderland" ---- Premiere for Kids presents a youth-cast production of this musical based on the book by Lewis Carroll; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Off Broadway Theater, 131 Main St., Vista; $12, adults; $10, seniors; $7, children under 12; 760-806-7905.

"The Andrews Brothers" ---- Welk Resort Theatre presents Roger Bean's slapstick comedy about a brainy singer and three creative stagehands who pull off some theatrical sleight-of-hand when the stars of that night's USO show, the Andrews Sisters, fail to arrive at a WWII-era South Pacific air base; 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; through Nov. 8; Welk Resorts Theatre, Welk Resorts San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $58-$63, adults (includes buffet lunch or dinner); $44-$47, adults, show only; 760-749-3448 or welktheatresandiego.com.

"Angels in America, Part II: Perestroika" ---- Palomar College's theater department presents the second part of Tony Kushner's landmark drama about a Mormon man struggling with his sexuality while the AIDS epidemic takes hold; opens Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 22; showtimes, 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 4 p.m. Thursdays; Howard Brubeck Theatre, 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos; $12, general; $10, seniors; $8, students (for mature audiences); 760-744-1150, ext. 2453 or palomarperforms.com.

"Annie Jr." ---- Arts Off Broadway presents a youth-cast production of this musical featuring more than 70 inland North County children; 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Maxine Theatre, 31322 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center; for tickets, visit maxine.vcpusd.net.

"At the Hop With the Alley Cats" ---- A cappella doo-wop harmony quartet mixes music with comedy and audience interaction in a 1-hour, 45-minute family-friendly show; 7 p.m. Sundays; Welk Resorts Theatre, Welk Resorts San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $25, adults; $10, children ages 3 to 15; 888-802-7469 or welktheatresandiego.com.

"Bent" --- Diversionary and ion Theatres co-present Martin Sherman's dark drama about gay prisoners in a World War II Nazi concentration camp; preview, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29; opens Oct. 30 and runs through Nov. 22; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; for mature audiences; Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego; call for ticket prices; 619-220-0097 or diversionary.org.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" ---- Village Church Community Theater presents this heartwarming holiday comedy about a troubled family redeemed by the holiday spirit; 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5; 2 p.m. Dec. 6; Village Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe; call for ticket prices; 760-315-8015.

"Bonnie and Clyde" ---- La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn, Don Black and Ivan Menchell's musical based on the lives of Depression-era bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow; opens Nov. 10 and runs through Dec. 20; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays; Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse complex, UC San Diego, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla; $43-$78; play contains some nudity; 858-550-1010 or lajollaplayhouse.com.

"A Christmas Carol" ---- North Coast Repertory Theatre presents its third annual production of Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic, starring Jonathan McMurtry as Scrooge; previews, Dec. 9 and 10; opens Dec. 11 and runs through Dec. 27; showtimes, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach; $44-$50; 858-481-1055 or northcoastrep.org.

"A Christmas Carol, The Musical" ---- Welk Resort Theatre presents Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens' 1994 musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic; opens Nov. 12 and runs through Jan. 3; showtimes, 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; through Nov. 8; Welk Resorts Theatre, Welk Resorts San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $58-$63, adults (includes buffet lunch or dinner); $44-$47, adults, show only; 760-749-3448 or welktheatresandiego.com.

"A Christmas Carol" ---- South Coast Repertory presents Hal Landon Jr. as Scrooge in the company's 30th annual production of Jerry Patch's adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic; previews, Nov. 28-Dec. 1; opens Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 26; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Saturdays; noon and 4 p.m. Sundays; Segerstrom Stage, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; 35-$40; 714-708-5555 or www.scr.org.

"Comedy & Magic" ---- Family-friendly evening of stand-up comedy and magic tricks featuring Scott "Mr. Punchline" Wood and "Anthony the Magic"; 7 p.m. Wednesdays; Welk Resorts Theatre, Welk Resorts San Diego, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; $25, adults; $10, children; 760-749-3448 or welktheatresandiego.com.

"The Clean House" ---- San Diego State University presents Sarah Ruhl's Pulitzer Prize-nominated comedy about a surgeon, her philandering husband, her messy maid and a very clean house; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; Powell Theatre, SDSU, 5500 Campanile St., San Diego; $13-$15; 619-594-6884.

"Creditors" ---- La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Doug Wright's modern-day adaptation of the August Strindberg psychological thriller about two men, a married artist and a stranger, who strike up a conversation at a seaside resort that has mysterious implications; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 7 p.m. Sunday;Potiker Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse complex, UC San Diego, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla; $30-$65; 858-550-1010 or lajollaplayhouse.com.

"Dearly Beloved" ---- Calvin Christian High School presents this comedy about a dysfunctional Southern family wedding; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; Calvin Christian High School, 2000 N. Broadway, Escondido; $5,a dults; $3, students; 760-489-6430 or calvinchristianescondido.org.

"Disney's Aladdin Jr." ---- Classical Academy Escondido will present a student-cast production of this stage musical based on the animated Disney film about Aladdin and the magic lamp; 5 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $9; 800-988-4253.

"Disney's The Lion King" ---- Broadway/San Diego presents the national touring production of this Tony Award-winning musical based on the animated Disney film about an orphaned lion cub's coming of age; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; plus 1 p.m. Nov. 5; through Nov. 8; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego; $17.50-$76.50; 619-570-1100 or www.broadwaysd.com.

"Dog Act" ---- Moxie Theatre presents a remount of its 2005 smash debut, Liz Duffy Adams' quirky, imaginative comedy-drama about a traveling theater troupe in post-Apocyalyptic America that has survived by creating its own language; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 22; Moxie Theatre@The Rolando Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego; previews, $15; regular shows, $20-$35; 858-598-7620 or www.moxietheatre.com.

"Dracula: The Comedy" ---- Classic Youth Theatre presents a youth-cast production of Ted Tiller's comedy based on Bram Stoker's 19th-century horror novel; 6 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7; 2 p.m. Nov. 8; Innovative Body Science, 6350 Yarrow Road, Carlsbad; $12-$15, general; $5, children 10 and under; children 5 and under are free; 760-632-9447.

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" ---- The Old Globe presents its 12th annual production of this Mel Marvin/Timothy Mason musical based on Dr. Seuss' holiday book about a miserly mountain creature who steals holiday trees and gifts from villagers in the valley below; previews Nov. 21-26; opens Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 27; showtimes vary, but generally 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 11 a.m., 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Sundays; Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego; $39-$79, adults; $20-$59, children ages 3 to 17; 619-234-5623 or www.theoldglobe.org.

"Fires in Heaven" ---- The Theatre Inc. presents the world premiere of Marianne McDonald's play, with music by Shahrokh Yadegari, based on the life of eighth-century Sufi saint Rabia Al-Adawayii and starring author Hadani Ditmars; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; The Theatre Inc. 899 C St., San Diego; $22-$25; 619-216-3016.

"The Foreigner" ---- Patio Playhouse presents Larry Shue's comedy about a shy Englishman who allows the guests at a Georgia lodge to believe he can't speak English to avoid conversation; opens Friday and runs through Nov. 15; showtimes, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; Patio Playhouse, 201 E. Grand Ave., Suite 1D, Escondido; $14, general; $12, seniors and students with ID; $7, youths under 16; 760-746-6669.

"The Foreigner" ---- Moonlight Stage Productions opens its winter indoor season with Larry Shue's comedy about a shy Englishman who allows the guests at a Georgia lodge to believe he can't speak English to avoid conversation; opens Nov. 12 and runs through Nov. 29; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Avo Playhouse, 303 Main St., Vista; $29, general, with discounts for seniors, students and military; 760-724-2110 or vistixonline.com.

"Frozen" ---- San Diego mainstage debut of Bryony Lavery's dark drama about three people whose lives are intertwined through tragedy, a serial killer, the mother of one of his victims and the psychologist studying the case; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 6 and 9 p.m. Saturdays; through Oct. 31; ion theatre at Sushi Space, 390 Eleventh Ave., San Diego; $10-$25; 619-600-5020.

"Fuddy Meers" ---- PowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre presents David Lindsay-Abaire's comedy about a woman whose memory wipes itself clean every night; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 8; PowPAC, 13250 Poway Road, Poway; $10, general; $6, children ages 6 to 12; 858-679-8085 or www.powpac.org.

"Godspell" ---- Lamb's Players Theatre presents Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak's folk-pop musical about Jesus' final days, based on the Gospel of Matthew; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 4 and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; extended through Nov. 22; Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., San Diego; $26-$48; 619-437-0600 or lambsplayers.org.

"The Good, the Bad and the Udderly Ridiculous" ---- Mystery Cafe Dinner Theatre presents a fast-paced mystery-comedy about a series of murders that take place in the Old West; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; runs indefinitely; Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St., San Diego; $59.50, price includes four-course dinner; 619-460-2200 or mysterycafe.net.

"Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight" ----- The Tony Award-winning actor stars in the one-man show he's developed over the past 54 years; 8 p.m. Nov. 21; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; 800-988-4253.

"Hansel and Gretel" ---- Lyric Opera San Diego presents Engelbert Humperdinck's opera for children based on the fairytale classic; opens Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 22; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays; Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., San Diego; $32-$52; 619-239-8836 or lyricoperasandiego.org.

"Heartbreaker "A Live Halloween Night Rock Tribute to Led Zeppelin" ---- Cruisin' Oldies Concerts presents this musical stage tribute to Led Zeppelin; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $20-$25; 800-988-4253 or www.artcenter.org.

"Holiday Memories" ---- Scripps Ranch Theatre presents Russell Vandenbroucke's stage adaptation of Truman Capote's autobiographical holiday stories from his rural Depression-era childhood in small-town Alabama; opens Nov. 13 and runs through Dec. 12; showtimes, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; Scripps Ranch Theatre at Legler-Benbough Theatre, Alliant University, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego; $20, general; $18, students and active military; $10, children 12 and under; 858-578-7728.

"Honk" ---- Christian Youth Theatre presents this musical adaptation of the "Ugly Duckling" story; 7 p.m. Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and 7; 2 p.m. Nov. 1, 7, 8; Escondido Charter High School, 1868 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido; $12, general; $10, children ages 3 to 19; 619-588-0206 or cytsandiego.org.

"How Do You Spell Chanukkah" ---- North Coast Repertory Theatre presents this improvisational comedy where hosts Marc and Doug joke, make music, tell stories and have a little nosh while kibitzing over the story of Hanukkah; 8 p.m. Dec. 5; 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7; North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach; $17-$20; 858-481-1055 or northcoastrep.org.

"Into the Woods" ---- San Diego State University presents Stephen Sondheim's fractured fairytale musical about what happens to favorite storybook characters after their "happily ever after" ending; 8 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21; 2 p.m. Nov. 15 and 22; Powell Theatre, SDSU, 5500 Campanile St., San Diego; $13-$15; 619-594-6884.

"Joey and Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding" ---- Dillstar Productions presents the revival of its long-running interactive dinner theater comedy where audience members are the guests at the nutty nuptials of the Gnocchi and Cavatelli families; 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; through December; Culy Warehouse, 633 Seventh Ave., San Diego; $68.50 (includes Italian dinner and show); valet parking is $10; 800-944-5639 or comedywedding.com.

Jonathan McMurtry's Shakespeare ---- Moonlight Cultural Foundation presents an evening with the Vista-based actor, who has appeared in more than 200 productions at the Old Globe and has taught Shakespeare for the Globe's masters program for many years; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16; forum will follow performance; Avo Playhouse, 303 Main St., Vista; free; 760-630-7650.

"Joyful Noise" ---- Lamb's Players Theatre presents Tim Slover's historical backstage drama about the colorful story behind the composition of Handel's famed "Messiah" oratorio; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 22; Lamb's Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado; $22-$56; 619-437-0600 or lambsplayers.org.

Lamb's Players Festival of Christmas ---- Lamb's Players Theatre's annual holiday musical offering is a world premiere by Kerry Meads set in a recording studio in the 1970s; opens Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 27; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 4 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays; Lamb's Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado; $27-$58; 619-437-0600 or lambsplayers.org.

"Last Sunday Cabaret" ---- Classic standards, jazz, Gospel and Broadway tunes, performed at 7 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month; Lamb's Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado; $15-$45; 619-437-6050 or www.lambsplayers.org.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" ---- The city of San Marcos' Theatre West youth theater will present a youth-cast production featuring 40 local actors about the story of Ichabod Crane; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Hearth Theatre, San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos; $10, adults; $7, youth, students and seniors (all tickets are $7 for Saturday matinees); 760-744-9000.

"Lobby Hero" ---- Carlsbad Playreaders presents a reading of Kenneth Lonergan's comedy/drama about a young night watchman's conflict between duty and honor at an urban apartment building; the reading will be directed by Joshua Everett Johnson of New Village Arts Theatre; 7:30 p.m. Monday; Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; $5, general; $1, students; carlsbadplayreaders.org.

"Long Story Short" ---- San Diego Repertory Theatre opens its 2009-10 season with Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda's musical about the 50-year love affair between a Jewish guy and an Asian girl in Southern California; 8 Thursdays-Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays; plus 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; through Nov. 1; Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego; $25-$53, general; $18, students; 544-1000 or www.sdrep.org.

"The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?" ---- Robert Dubac stars in his award-winning one-man show about the battle of the sexes in which he plays five different characters who try to answer the question about what women want; 8 p.m. Saturay; Carlsbad Village Theatre, 2822 State St., Carlsbad; $20 at door; 760-720-2460.

"Man From Nebraska" ---- Cygnet Theatre presents Tracy Letts' drama about a Midwestern husband and father whose crisis of faith sends him to London to recapture his lost youth; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 1; Cygnet's Old Town Theatre, Juan and Twiggs streets, San Diego; $17-$46; 619-337-1525.

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre ---- Puppet Express presents "The Magic Purple Potion" through Sunday; Big Joe Productions presents "The Polka Dot Ghost" Oct. 28-Nov. 1; showtimes, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, Balboa Park, San Diego; $5, adults; $4, seniors; $3, children 12 and under; 619-544-9203 or balboaparkpuppets.com.

"My Fatal Valentine" ---- Newly formed Curtain Call Productions will present Eileen Moushey's comedy murder-mystery set at a romance writers convention; performances on the third Thursday of each month; next show, Nov. 5; Hukilau Restaurant, Fallbrook Golf Course, Fallbrook; $35; 760-723-2724 or e-mail curtaincallcompany@yahoo.com.

"The Needemann Brothers: A Musical Comedy Cabaret" ---- Schroeder's Cabaret presents Anthony Bollotta and Jorge Luis Abreu with accompanist Rayme Sciaroni in this cabaret show with songs about life, love and the pursuit of great clothes; 8 p.m. Saturday; Tango Del Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., San Diego; $22; 858-581-1114.

"Night Music" ---- Patio Playhouse presents a program of Broadway show tunes and classic pop songs; 2 p.m. Nov. 14; Turrentine Room, Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido; free; 760-738-1472.

"9 Parts of Desire" ---- Mo'olelo Performing Arts presents Heather Raffo's drama about the lives of nine contemporary Iraqi women living in Iraq, London and New York; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Oct. 30-31; 2 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 1; 10th Avenue Theatre, 930 10th Ave., San Diego; $15-$18; 619-342-7395 or moolelo.net.

"1940s Radio Hour" ---- MiraCosta College presents Walton Jones and Carol Lees' musical comedy that features a live radio broadcast to troops overseas during World War II; preview, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12; regular shows, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 -14 and 19-21; 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 21 and 22; MiraCosta College Theatre, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside; $12, general; $10, seniors; $8, students and preview performance; 760-795-6815.

"Oliver!" ---- San Diego Junior Theatre presents a youth-cast production of Lionel Bart's musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist"; opens Friday and runs through Nov. 8; showtimes, 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Casa del Prado Theater, Balboa Park, San Diego; 619-239-8355.

"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" ---- New Village Arts Theatre presents Steve Martin's brisk and witty comedy that imagines a meeting between Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso at a turn-of-the-century Parisian cafe; opens Nov. 12 and runs through Dec. 6; showtimes, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 2787 State St., Carlsbad; $25-$30; 760-433-3245 or newvillagearts.org.

"Plays in the Park" ---- Carlsbad's newly formed Peoples Theatre will debut with a staged reading of this 90-minute play by a local playwright; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15; Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy, 6106 Avenida Encinas, Suite F, Carlsbad.

"Rent" ---- The national touring production of Jonathan Larson's Tony Award-winning musical about East Village bohemians in the age of AIDS features three stars from the original Broadway production, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal and Gwen Stewart; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; $20-$70; 714-556-2787 or ocpac.org.

"Ruthless! The Musical" ---- Broadway Theater presents Marvin Laird and Joe Paley's campy musical comedy about a ruthlessly ambitious teen starlet who will do anything, including murder, to land the lead role in her high school production of "Pippi Longstocking"; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; through Nov. 1; Broadway Theater, 340 E. Broadway, Vista; $16.50; 760-806-7905 or broadwayvista.com.

"Sammy" ---- The Old Globe presents Broadway veteran Obba Babatunde ("Dreamgirls," "Jelly's Last Jam") starring in the world premiere of Leslie Bricusse's new musical based on the life of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; through Nov. 8; Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego; $54-$89; 619-234-5623 or oldglobe.org.

"Saturn Returns" ---- South Coast Repertory presents the West Coast premiere of Noah Haidle's drama about an 88-year-old widower whose home is haunted by the echoes of the women he loved in the past; previews, Friday through Oct. 29; opens Oct. 30 and runs through Nov. 22; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Segerstrom Stage, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; $23-$70; 714-708-5555 or www.scr.org.

"The Savannah Disputation" ---- The Old Globe presents Evan Smith's comedy about a Catholic woman who enlists an unsuspecting priest in a devilish dinner party to bring her faithless girlfriend back into the fold; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; through Nov. 1; the Old Globe at the James S. Copley Auditorium, San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park, San Diego; $29-$59; 619-234-5623 or oldglobe.org.

"Sayings of Poof" ---- Community Actors Theatre presents this award-winning drama about situations involving women of all races, cultures, class and ages; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 15; Community Actors Theatre, 2957 54th St., San Diego; $12-$14; 619-264-3391 or www.communityactorstheatre.com.

"Scrooge: The Musical" ---- CAST Productions presents its annual Christmas musical based on the story of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"; opens Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 20; showtimes, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays (no performance Dec. 5); Mission Theater, 231 N. Main St., Fallbrook; $10, general; $8, seniors and juniors; 760-731-2278.

"The Seafarer" ---- San Diego Repertory Theatre presents Conor McPherson's holiday comedy-drama about a group of Irishmen (played by Ron Choularton, Jeffrey Meek, Sam Woodhouse and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" star Armin Shimerman) who get drunk on Christmas Eve and encounter Beelzebub; opens Nov. 14 and runs through Dec. 13; showtimes, 8 Thursdays-Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays; Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego; $29-$47, general; $18, students; 544-1000 or www.sdrep.org.

"The Secret Garden" ---- Christian Youth Theatre presents a 60-member cast of children ages 8 to 18 in this musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's novel about an orphaned girl, her crippled cousin and a mysterious garden in the English countryside; 7 p.m. Saturday through Oct. 30; 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; $10-$12; 619-588-0206 or www.cytsandiego.org.

"Shut Up Sweet Charlotte" ---- New Orleans drag star Varla Jean Merman's gender-bending spoof of the 1960s film "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" will visit San Diego on a five-show tour stop; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; Birch North Park Theater, 2891 University Ave., San Diego; 619-239-8836 or birchnorthparktheatre.net.

"Side Show: The Musical" ---- Harts Performance Inc. presents Poway-based identical twins Shauna Hart Ostrom and Shelly Hart Breneman in Henry Krieger and Bill Russel's musical based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet, who were a circus side show attraction in the 1930s; 7 p.m. Nov. 14, 18, 20, 21, 25-28; 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29; Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego; $35; 619-944-7574 or www.hartsperformanceinc.com.

"South Pacific" ---- J*Company Youth Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical set on a WWII military base in the South Pacific; 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday; Garfield Theatre, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla; $17; 858-362-1348 or www.sdcjc.org/jcompany.

"State of the Art" ---- Craig Abernathy's comedy set inside the mind of a writer trying to create art; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday4; Green Room at Twiggs, 4590 Park Blvd., San Diego; 619-985-4855.

"Strega Nona: The Musical" ---- California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and Maxiumum Entertainment Productions present two performances of this musical for youths based on the book by Tomie dePaola about a friendly witch and her magical pasta pot; 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $20; 800-988-4253 or www.artcenter.org.

"Talley's Folly" ---- North Coast Repertory Theatre presents Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a man and woman trying to come to terms with their long-overdue relationship in 1944 Missouri; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 8; North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach; $44-$50; 858-481-1055 or northcoastrep.org.

"Taming of the Shrew: Shakespeare, Rattle and Roll" ---- El Camino High School presents a 1950s rock 'n' roll version of William Shakespeare's comic battle of the sexes that begins with an ultimatum: the lovely Bianca will not be wed until her shrewish elder sister Katherine is married off first, so a wily fortune-hunter arrives to woo Kate; 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 12 and 14 ; 2 p.m. Nov. 15; El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Dr., Oceanside; $7, general; $5, seniors and students; 760-757-8550, ext. 3902.

The Ten Tenors ----- The Australian pop/opera/performance troupe features 10 male singers from Down Under performing everything from arias to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"; 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 8 p.m. Dec. 11; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 12; 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 13; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego; $15-$72; 619-570-1100.

"Top Dog/Underdog" ---- UC San Diego Theatre and Dance presents Suzan-Lori Parks' 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about the lives of two black American brothers, Lincoln and Booth, coping with women, work, poverty, gambling, racism and their troubled upbringing; preview, 7 p.m. Nov. 9; regular shows, 8 p.m. Nov. 10-14; 2 p.m. Nov. 14; Arthur Wagner Theatre, UC San Diego, La Jolla; $20, general; $15, seniors; $10, UCSD students with ID; for mature audiences; 858-534-4574 or thetre.ucsd.edu/season.

"The Two Gentlemen of Verona" ---- The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presents William Shakespeare's comedy about jealousy and the fickle nature of love; 8 p.m. Nov. 14, 19, 20 and 21; 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 21 and 22; 7 p.m. Nov. 15, 17, 18 and 22; Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego; $19; 619-231-5623 or www.globemfa.org.

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" ---- Compass Theatre present Edward Albee's searing, Tony-winning drama about the poisonous but symbiotic relationship between a New England college professor and his barren wife; previews, Thursday-Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Oct. 30; Compass Theatre, 3704 Sixth Ave., San Diego; $10, previews; $20-$23, regular shows; for mature audiences; 619-688-9210 or compasstheatre.com.

"The Yellow Dress" ---- Project Sarah, a program of Jewish Family Services in San Diego, and Deana's Educational Theater will present this one-woman play based on the story of a young woman who was the victim of dating violence; the play was written in memory of Deana Brisbois, a victim of domestic violence; 5 p.m. Sunday (preshow reception begins at 4 p.m.); Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego; $36, VIP; $18, adults; $8, students and military; 858-637-3067 or www.jfssd.org.

LOCAL GALLERIES

The Coffee Store ---- hours 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 40575 California Oaks Road, Murrieta; 951-301-3808.

Division 9 Gallery North ---- 3485 University Ave., Riverside; 951-682-5990.

Division 9 Gallery South ---- 3850 Lemon St., Riverside; 951-682-5990.

Gallery at The Merc ---- see temeculatheater.org for gallery hours; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; free; (866) 653-8696.

Hemet Valley Art Association Gallery ---- 2557 S. San Jacinto Ave., San Jacinto; 909-652-4592.

Landis Art Center Gallery ---- at Riverside Community College, 4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 951-222-8494.

Medium ---- 3643 University Ave., Suite #3, Riverside.

Mt. San Jacinto College Fine Art Gallery ---- gallery 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 1-4 p.m. Saturdays; 1499 N. State St., San Jacinto; 951-487-3585.

The Old Town Gallery ---- Sponsors a monthly artist reception for local Temecula Valley artists; gallery 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays; 42031 Main Street, Ste. C, Temecula; 951-699-3181.

The People's Gallery ---- gallery 6-10 p.m. Thursdays (or by appointment); 3643 University Ave., Riverside; 951-715-4641.

ProjectRamGallery ----- 3532 University Ave., Riverside; 951-684-7111.

Riverside Community Arts Association ---- gallery 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, or by appointment; 3870 Lemon St., Riverside; 951-682-6737.

Sweeney Art Gallery ---- gallery 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 3800 Main St., Riverside; 909-787-3755.

Temecula Valley Art League Gallery ---- New gallery recently opened; noon-6 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, noon-7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 41785 Nicole Lane, Ste. B, Temecula; 951-303-8100.

LOCAL MUSEUMS

Fender Museum of Music and the Arts ---- Around every corner, walls of Fender amplifiers await your eyes, and literally dozens of guitars. Technology that started a music revolution is close enough to touch. Items from Merle Haggard, Dick Dale, Kurt Cobain, the Fender Custom Shop and photos from the Kids Rock Free music education program. The wall of friends features concert pictures from many of the great shows the museum has hosted, including Steve Miller, Merle Haggard, Joe Walsh, Etta James, the Turtles, John Waite, Paul Rodgers, Dick Dale and many others. Steve Miller (Steve Miller Band) is featured in a tribute exhibit. Paul Rodgers is another legendary music icon represented in the museum. The singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist of Free, Bad Company, The Firm, and Queen + Paul Rodgers fame is featured in rare photos, clothing and handwritten lyrics; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 365 N. Main Street, Corona; 951-735-2440.

Heritage House Riverside ---- Queen Anne Victorian-style house museum furnished to reflect the Victorian period for Riverside's upper-middle class residents; noon to 3 p.m. Fridays, noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside; free; 951-826-5273.

Imagination Workshop, Temecula Childrens Museum ---- Professor Phineas T. Pennypickle, Ph.D. is a scientist, time traveler, and inventor of wacky and wonderful contraptions that amaze, delight and educate children and adults alike. Pennypickle's experiments and mechanical inventions fill every room of his 7,500 square foot workshop, which has become a storehouse for tinkering and theoretical thinking; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12:30-5 p.m. Sundays; 42081 Main St., Temecula; $4.50, general, free for children age 3 and younger; 951-308-6370.

Jensen-Alvarado Historic Ranch and Museum ---- An 1880s living history interpretive program and museum; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays (available for group tours Mondays through Saturdays, reservations required); 4307 Briggs Street, Riverside; 951-369-6055.

Kid Zone Museum ---- A non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe, educational and fun environment through 10,000 sq. feet of hands-on interactive exhibits; museum hours, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays (closed Sundays through Tuesdays); 123 S. Carmalita Ave., Hemet; $5, general admission; $2, seniors; children under 2 are free; 951-765-1572 or kidzone.org.

Lake Elsinore Historical Society ---- The society was founded to collect, protect, preserve, display, and further the preservation of items and documents of historical value and significance from the Lake Elsinore Valley; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays; 106 S. Main Street, Lake Elsinore; free; 951-245-4986.

Lake Perris Regional Indian Museum ---- Reflection of Native American life in the Mojave Desert region as experienced by the Cahuilla, Chemevhuevi, Cupeno, Luiseno, Serrano and Vanyume tribes. Located at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays; 1781 Lake Perris Drive, Perris; free ($8 car fee to enter the park); 951-940-5656.

March Field Air Museum ---- Serves as home to over 70 historic aircraft and displays over 2,000 artifacts. Select open aircraft on second Saturday and family day on the fourth Saturday of each month; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (closed Monday); 22550 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside; $8 general admission and $5 ages 5-11; 951-902-5949, 209.160.64.210/~marchair.

Mission Inn Museum ---- Exhibits rich in artifacts range from arts and crafts furnishings to Asian sculpture. The larger collection includes works by major stained glass artists and California regional painters; morning and afternoon tours available; 3696 Main St., Riverside; $12; 951-788-9556.

Orange Empire Railway Museum ---- Railroad museum features more than 150 historic train cars, locomotives and streetcars, plus railway equipment. Trolley and train rides are available; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 2201 South A Street, Perris; free (trolley and train rides: $8 for adults and $6 for ages 6-11); 951-657-2605.

Patterson House Museum ---- The oldest private residence still standing in Winchester; 28030 Patterson Ave., Winchester; 951-926-4039.

Ramona Bowl Museum ---- The Ramona Bowl Museum has been operated since 1953 by the Ramona Pageant Association, which has produced the annual Ramona Pageant since 1923. The museum gives the history of the local Native Americans, the Pageant and the Ramona story; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays; 27400 Ramona Bowl Road, Hemet; free; 951-658-3111.

Riverside Art Museum ---- Exhibiting a wide range of work with an emphasis on American, Californian and prominent Inland Empire artists. RAM offers a diverse range of exemplary art exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach events; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 3425 Seventh St., Riverside; $5 donation suggested; 951-684-7111, riversideartmuseum.org.

Riverside Metropolitan Museum ---- The Riverside Metropolitan Museum is a center for learning and a community museum that collects, exhibits, and interprets cultural and natural history. In a rapidly changing community, the museum provides an understanding and appreciation of our region's legacy; museum hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; 3580 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; 951-826-5273, riversideca.gov/museum.

San Bernardino County Museum ---- "Gadgets and Gizmos, Inventing the Modern World" and "Hanging With the Museum," an exhibit of artwork by museum staff and volunteers, are on display; the museum's permanent exhibits present history, anthropology, geology, paleontology and biological sciences in a regional context; 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands; $8, general; $9, seniors and military; $5, students; $4, children 5 to 12; 909-307-2669.

San Jacinto Museum ---- Exhibits on natural history, native peoples, and the history and development of the San Jacinto Valley in the 19th and 20th centuries; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; 181 East Main St., San Jacinto; free; 951-654-4952.

Temecula Valley History Museum ---- Exhibits represent life in the Temecula Valley through time and different cultures that influenced the development of the area. Displays contain handcrafted artifacts, cultural items, ranching and farming equipment, documents, photographs, and more. Exhibits depict key stories, including the Luiseno Indians, Mission San Luis Rey period, establishment of the ranchos, and transportation influences including the stagecoach and railroads. The museum also offers a playful interactive discovery area for children. Hands-on learning experiences take place in a street scene setting with a General Store, a Dress Shop, a Photographer's Studio and a Ride-a-Pony station; museum hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays); 28314 Mercedes St., Temecula; $2 donation suggested; 951-694-6450.

UC Riverside Museum of Photography ---- The museum's explorations of photographic media through exhibition, collection, publication, and the web examine the history of photography and showcase current practice in photography and related media. To serve an audience that is multicultural, young and old, general and specialized, the museum presents programs that recognize the variety and complexity of cultural experience and explore the relationship between traditional expression and contemporary practice. The museum is vitally concerned with the intersection of photography, new imaging media, and society; museum hours, noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 3824 Main St., Riverside; $1, general; free for students and seniors; 951-784-3686.

Western Center for Acheology and Paleontology ---- Permanent exhibitions at the Western Center highlight the discoveries at the Diamond Valley Lake site that range in age from 230,000 years ago to the present. Permanent exhibits include: the Life on Earth Timeline, overhead time rings guide you through the geologic time periods. Begin with the Pre-Cambrian and travel to the Holocene, the time period in which our mammoths and mastodons lived. The distance you walk from ring to ring is directly proportional to the amount of time that passed from one geologic period to the next; The Big Dam Hole, interactives teach about the people and animals that inhabited the Diamond Valley Lake site over time; Movies in the Theater, two short films are shown regularly in the circular, immersion theater with its 270-degree screen; Snapshots in Time, mammoths and mastodons that used to live in the Diamond Valley Lake area. See the real fossils of a 10-foot-tall mastodon, a 12-foot mammoth, and a giant ground sloth nearly 7-foot-tall; and Discovery Lab, follow the trail of these animals from their discovery in the field to curation and research in the museum. There are workshops and lectures on a weekly basis as well as Science Saturdays and visiting exhibitions throughout the year; museum hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; $8, adults (13 and over); $6.50, seniors (62+); $6, youth (5 to 12); $6.50, students (13-22 with current I.D.); 2345 Searl Pkwy., Hemet; free, youth age 4 and younger and military with current I.D.; 951-791-0033 or westerncentermuseum.org.

THEME PARKS

Belmont Park ---- During October, birthday celebrants can ride for free all day on the numerical day of their birth (if your birthday is March 15, you ride for free on Oct. 15), and their guests can purchase an all-day ride ticket for $15; the park offers discount family nights on Tuesdays, with half-price rides from 4 p.m. to closing; opened in 1925, this beachside amusement park features the historical Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, along with a traditional carousel, bumper cars, the Beach Blaster suspension thrill ride, CHAOS 360-degree spin ride, laser and mirror mazes, kiddie rides, flight simulator, climbing tree, arcade, picnic and play areas, the Wave House, with the Bruticus Maximus giant wave rider and Flow Rider perpetual wave machine, and the 80-year-old Plunge, the largest indoor pool in Southern California; hours, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; 3190 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach; unlimited ride wristbands, $22.95 (50 inches and up) and $15.95 (under 50 inches); individual rides, $2-$6; Giant Dipper is $6; Flow Rider is $15; miniature golf is $7; 858-488-1549 or belmontpark.com.

Boomers! Vista ---- Amusement park features arcades, bumper boats, batting cages, miniature golf, laser tag, children's rides and a large climbing structure; noon to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays; 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista; $27.99 (unlimited, excludes batting cages and coin arcade) for over 58 inches; $24.99, under 58 inches; $3-$8, single attractions; 760-945-9474 or boomersparks.com.

Castle Park ---- Opened in 1973, the theme park includes more than 30 rides including roller coasters, a log chute, carnival rides, an arcade, miniature golf and magic shows; arcade opens at 11 a.m. daily; rides open at noon; 3500 Polk St., Riverside; unlimited ride pass: $19.99, taller than 48 inches; $12.99, under 48 inches; annual passes, $50-$55 (miniature golf has separate fee, $6.99-$7.99); 951-785-3000 or castlepark.com.

Discovery Science Center ---- "Robots & Us," an interactive exhibit explaining and demonstrating robot technology, is open; "Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home," an exhibit on ecological conservation, is open; "The Science of Hockey," a new interactive exhibit exploring the physics and physiology of the game, is open; more than 100 hands-on science, math and technology exhibits, including "Dino Quest," earthquake "shake shack," climbing wall, musical floor, and 4-D theater. Now featuring "Masters of the Night: The TRUE Story of Bats"; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Taco Bell Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana; $12.95, general; $9.95, children (3-17); free, children 2 and under; $3, parking; 714-542-2823 or discoverycube.org.

Disneyland Park ---- Disneyland is decorated for the Halloween season including the new attraction "Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy" and "Halloween Screams" fireworks show; "Celebrate! A Street Party" is a new daily parade event with 100 performers (including 48 dancers and 24 Disney characters) who walk behind the parade floats and stop at three spots along the parade route to perform and invite park guests to join in the celebration; also new is the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue, an outdoor dinner theater event in Big Thunder Ranch featuring a barbecue lunch or dinner and a live, Western-style stage show; cost is $28.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 19; Opened in July 1955, Walt Disney theme park includes 60 attractions, including roller coasters, trains, boats, trolleys, carriage and black-light rides, monorail, walk-throughs, live shows, hands-on exhibits and walkabout encounters; "It's a Small World" has recently reopened after an 18-month refurbishment with an all-new North America scene and new Disney character costumes (from "Aladdin" and "Lilo and Stitch") in various lands; "Innoventions Dream Home," a futuristic 5,000-square-foot home showcasing the latest home technology, is now open in Tomorrowland; Remember ... Dreams Come True" fireworks and special effects show nightly; open daily; hours vary; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $84-$94, one-day park-hopper passes; $123-$143, two-day park-hopper passes; $134-$389, annual passes; $12, parking ($17, RVs); 714-781-4565 or disneyland.com.

Disneyland's California Adventure ---- Opened in 2001, this 55-acre Disney theme park highlights the history, culture, beauty and industries of California; themed lands include Golden State (agriculture, aviation, wilderness), Paradise Pier (seaside amusement park) and Hollywood Pictures Backlot (filmmaking, TV and stage shows); the park has more than 25 themed attractions, shows and rides; the park is in the midst of a multiyear expansion and enhancement that will include the introduction of many new attractions, rides and shows through 2012; newly opened, refurbished midway games and carousel on Paradise Pier; "High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!" stage show, featuring a cast of 14 singer/dancers, plays three times a day in the Sun Plaza; "Toy Story Mania," a 3-D ride-through attraction where riders take target practice at "Toy Story" characters, is now open; hours vary, check Web site for daily schedule; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $84-$94, one-day park-hopper passes; $123-$143, two-day park-hopper passes; $134-$389, annual passes; $12, parking ($17, RVs); 714-781-4565 or disneyland.com.

Knott's Berry Farm ---- Knott's hopsts its annual Knott's Scary Farm Haunt" opening at 7 p.m. Wednesdsays-Sundays, through Oct. 31; tickets are $31.99-$49 in advance; $49.99 walk-up; Knott's is a 160-acre amusement park featuring 165 rides, including an authentic Old West Ghost Town; roller coasters; Camp Snoopy's children's area; themed restaurants; all-new "Everybody Loves Snoopy" live ice-skating show and other family entertainment; thrill rides that include the Silver Bullet, a Western-themed suspended roller coaster that features a 109-foot drop, corkscrews, spirals and cobra rolls, and RipTide thrill ride, which sends riders in a floorless, spinning gondola soaring 59 feet into 360-degree vertical arcs; opens daily at 10 a.m.; closing time varies; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; $51.99, adults ($41.99 for Southern California adults); $22.99, seniors (62+) and children 3 to 11; free, children 2 and under; $59.95-$114.95, annual passes; $10, parking; 714-220-5200 or knotts.com.

Legoland California ---- The park's annual Halloween "Brick-or-Treat" celebration, with costume parades, a pumpkin patch and contests, runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays in October; the park's annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony, this year featuring Tori Spelling and her husband Dean McDermott and the children's entertainment group Jumpitz, takes place at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30; the park's Holly Jolly Holidays program, feturing nightly fireworks, holiday decor, a Lego Santa and "let It Snow" musical, runs Dec. 1-31; The 128-acre Lego toy-themed amusement park, best suited for ages 2 to 12, offers hands-on Lego-building areas; new "Bob the Builder in 4-D: Bob the Builder and the Roller-Coaster" film; the park has interactive play areas; water rides and attractions; mini-roller-coasters and car-and -boat driving courses; live stage shows; walk-through attractions; Miniland USA (miniature cities of the world built from Lego bricks); dinosaur, Egypt, water, middle ages and other themed "lands"; hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays-Wednesdays); 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $65, general; $55, children (3-12) and seniors; free, 2 and under; $12, parking; 760-918-5346 or legoland.com.

San Diego Zoo ---- Children ages 3 to 11 get in free during the month of October; the Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, the largest exhibit in the zoo's history, is open; the 7.5-acre habitat features elephants, jaguars and California condors along with replicas of their Pleistocene-era ancestors; the 100-acre zoo houses more than 4,000 animals of 800 species and 6,500 plant species; features include walk-through gorilla, polar bear, tiger and rain forest habitats; live shows; children's petting areas; Chinese giant panda exhibit; orangutan and siamang ape enclosure; "Monkey Trails and Forest Tales" habitat is a 3-acre, walk-through multilevel habitat enclosure for African and Asian monkeys, leopards, snakes, tortoises, crocodiles and birds; spring hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (grounds close at 5 p.m.); summer hours, June 27-Sept. 7 are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; Balboa Park, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego; $28.50-$35, adults; $18.50-$26, children (4-11); (higher ticket price includes unlimited skyfari and guided bus tour rides); free parking; 619-234-3153 or sandiegozoo.org.

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park ---- Children ages 3 to 11 get in free during the month of October; the family Halloween-themed festival "Pumpkins at the Park" features scavenger hunts, trick-or-treating, visit an extinct animal graveyard, enjoy creepy animal encounters and have their picture taken in costume; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 24-25 and Oct. 31 and Nov 1; Opened in 1972, the 1,800-acre wildlife preserve operated by the San Diego Zoo allows visitors to see more than 3,500 animals of 429 species in their naturalistic habitats; now open, a new zipline aerial tour that flies riders over the rhino and giraffe enclosures at speeds up to 47 mph; price is $70; park tours available on the "Journey Into Africa" 25-minute tram ride ($6-$10); plus hands-on encounters, walk-through exhibits, live animal shows, children's petting areas; new ride, Balloon Safari, a tethered balloon that glides over the park's Serengeti plain for 15-minute rides, priced at $15; a 50-foot African-themed carousel with 61 animal-themed ride-on creatures is open; "Cheetah Run Safari" is a group tour that offers visitors a chance to see a cheetah sprint up close ($69); "Lion Camp" offers visitors an up-close look at the African cats in their natural habitat; "Frequent Flyers" bird show is performed several times daily; motion simulator ride; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through fall and winter; 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, San Pasqual Valley; $28.50-$35, general; $18.50-$26, children (ages 4-11); (higher ticket price includes unlimited carousel and Journey into Africa rides); $9, parking ($14 for motorhomes); 760-747-8702 or wildanimalpark.org.

Scandia Ontario ---- This Scandinavian-style theme park offers 25 rides and attractions including roller coasters, race cars, carnival-style rides, miniature golf, an arcade and batting cages; 1155 S. Wanamaker Ave., Ontario; unlimited rides: $22.95, taller than 54 inches; $17.95, under 54 inches; golf, $6.95-$9.50; 909-390-3092 or scandiafun.com.

Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland ---- From Nov. 2 through 30, the aquarium will host a SpongeBob Squarepants celebration; life-sized Lego SpongeBob characters will be onsite and activities include SpongeBob games, TV episode screenings and giveaways; from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in November, the aquarium will host special craft activities at its Southern California tide pool; the aquarium include a 36,000-square-foot aquarium filled with more than 200 aquatic species including seahorses, stingrays and sharks in a 200,000-gallon aquarium; "Sharks Revealed" is a new interactive exhibit that introduces children to the mysterious world of sharks; also features more than 70 models made from Lego bricks display, including an 11-foot submarine; a sea-themed cafe and interactive sandcastle-building area; hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $18.95, adults; $15.95, seniors 60 and over; $11.95, children ages 3 to 12; $10, parking; 760-918-5346 or sealifeus.com.

SeaWorld San Diego ---- SeaWorld San Diego's annual Halloween celebration invites children to arrive in costume for not-too-spooky entertainment, trick-or-treating and specially themed animal shows, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1 (free with paid park admission); Opened in 1964, the 189-acre ocean-themed park owned by Anheuser-Busch features live shows with killer whales, dolphins and sea lions; sea creature encounters; skytower, virtual motion, rapids and splashdown rides; shark, seabird, penguin, dolphin, otter and manatee aquariums; Budweiser Clydesdale horses; stage shows and Sesame Street-themed play area; interactive experiences available with dolphins and beluga whales; hours vary; 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego; $65, adults; $55, children (3-9); free, children 2 and under; $12, parking; 800-257-4268 or seaworld.com/sandiego.

Speed Zone Los Angeles ---- This 10-acre auto racing-themed park offers miniature auto race tracks built for 3/4-scale Grand Prix cars and 18-foot, 300hp dragsters, as well as miniature golf and an arcade; hours vary; 17871 Castleton St., City of Industry; prices by the hour, playcards start at $40; 626-913-9663 or speedzone.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood ---- "Halloween Horror Nights," the park's annual haunted attraction with mazes, walk-around spooks, shows and the "terror tram," begins at 7 p.m. Fridays-Sundays (plus Oct. 28-29) through Oct. 31; tickets are $52-$56; The 415-acre movie-based theme park, built in 1964 on the grounds of the Universal television studios, features roller coasters and thrill rides, special effects-based live shows and a ride-through behind-the-scenes Studios Tour; the park's studio backlot (heavily damaged by fire last year) hsa reopened with all new sets and attractions; also new, the "Creature from the Black Lagoon: A Raging Rockin' Show," a 25-minute musical stage show based on the classic horror film; "Universal's House of Horrors" walk-through haunted house; "Revenge of the Mummy ---- The Ride," is one of the world's fastest indoor roller coasters (with forward/backward motion, 45 mph top speed and animatronic mummies) and has been renovated to include a chilling 45-degree mummy's tomb room; other features include a "Van Helsing" walk-through funhouse; "Shrek 4-D" ride; "Terminator 3-D" live/multimedia shows; "The Simpsons" virtual reality ride; "Waterworld" water show; "Jurassic Park," with new water features, "Back to the Future" thrill rides; Nickelodeon Blast Zone children's water play area; film and TV history exhibits; new this summer at the Universal CityWalk shopping district, The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club; park hours vary, but generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends; 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City; $64, adults; $54, children under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; $74-$129, annual passes; $199 VIP experience; $10, parking ($20, preferred parking); universalstudioshollywood.com.