Tracie Thoms and Tonya Pinkins are wicked talents. Also reviewed: 'Blue Night in the Heart of the West,' '1001' and 'I'd Rather Be Right.'

In a role expressly written for her by director Chris Eigeman, the actress learned to play billiards convincingly to portray her pool-hustler character.

"Roman de Gare" -- a witty yet ultimately poignant guessing game in which nobody is quite what he or she seems -- is arguably Claude Lelouch's best film. Its title translates as "airport novel," and Lelouch pays homage to the lure of those high adventures by mining one of his typically extravagant plots for both humor and pathos, raising provocative questions of identity and of the confusion of truth and fiction.

After three years, Gary Garrels is moving to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

At Ron Burkle's mansion, the actor regales officials from Pitzer College, a leader in environmentally proactive planning, of his own early interest in ecology, as it was known then.

It's a darker alternate world for the heroic Pevensie clan this time, but everything unfolds in an assured, kid-friendly manner.

The sparkling three-piece set worn by the opera diva for her Metropolitan Opera debut is being enlisted for the demanding Act 2.

The production is Southern California's first in 25 years and is an American original at its best.

Also: Berlin opera, Alan Cumming to host 'Masterpiece,' Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley, L.A. Opera on KUSC

Tim Robbins's David is looking for a little peace and quiet.

Norwegian director Joachim Trier captures youth in all its idealistic glory.

Chris Eigeman's character study starring Famke Janssen and newcomer Jaymie Dornan is well acted but without purpose.

Teri Hatcher visits 'The View' and 'Late Show With David Letterman .'

Gordon Beeferman's energetic 'Rites of Summer' is the ensemble's main event.

A look at the building of China's Three Gorges Dam and the displacement of 2 million people.

Aries (March 21-April 19): You're friendly, which counts more than being knowledgeable or able. People want to make a connection, and you do this beautifully.

The wounds of slavery are ripped open in Thomas Gibbons' thoughtful drama.

Jimmy Shaw plays a gay phone sex operator in a still-timely tale at the Skylight Theatre.

When Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that Israel would withdraw from the Gaza Strip, returning the land to the Palestinian Authority and evicting Jewish settlers, the societal fissures revealed were so stark and severe they make the split between the Democrats' Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton factions look like a feast of love.

Craig Minowa's five-piece band plays its uplifting, emotion-packed songs with effective power.

The veteran actor follows up his 2004 solo show with an anecdote-rich 'My Trip Down the Pink Carpet.'

CONSCIENCE: The FBI team is divided and one member steps down on "Numb3rs," at 10 p.m. on CBS. With Rob Morrow, pictured, David Krumholtz and Diane Farr. CBS Entertainment

This chick flick has lots of drive, and it's OK for guys too.

TIP FOR TODAY

Noon-1 p.m. -- Beloved Classics: Bartók (Concerto for Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic), KCSN-FM (88.5).

Dear Amy: I am 60 (shudder) years old and single. I joined a number of dating sites, and I've been e-mailing once or twice a day with a man my age who lives about 1,000 miles away. The photo he sent is of a very handsome man.

First chances, last chances and what not to miss today

POP MUSIC

The Proclaimers Scottish twin rockers Craig and Charlie Reid, known for their electrifying live shows, merge sociopolitical rage with doctrinaire-free Christian faith in strikingly powerful ways on their new album, "Life With You." El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $24. (323) 936-4790.

The rock band also plays Saturday at KROQ's Weenie Roast at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.

The Young and the Restless 11:30 a.m. CBS 897500

'Tosca'

Where: Los Angeles Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A.

'Susannah'

Where: Opera Pacific at Segerstrom Hall, Orange County Performing Artscenter, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

'A House With No Walls'

Where: The New LATC, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles

'Dream Man'

Where: Skylight Theatre, 1816 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles

Friday Nights

A Novel