Theater”Man of La Mancha” premiered on Broadway...

Theater

“Man of La Mancha” premiered on Broadway in 1965 starring Richard Kiley and became one of the biggest hits in theater annals, running for 2,328 performances. It won five Tony Awards: best musical, score, book, director, actor and scenic design.

Although the Fullerton Civic Light Opera won’t have Kiley for its upcoming production, this musical’s popularity stems from the score’s soaring melodies (“The Impossible Dream”) and its classic fable about Don Quixote, the deluded, windmill-tilting knight who sallies forth in search of adventure.

* What: “Man of La Mancha.”

* When: Through May 26. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; also, 2 p.m. May 18 and 7 p.m. May 19.

* Where: Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton.

* Whereabouts: Exit the Orange (57) Freeway at Chapman Avenue (Fullerton); go west. Or exit the Riverside (91) Freeway at Harbor Boulevard; go north, then right onto Chapman.

* Wherewithal: $14-$30.

* Where to call: (714) 879-1732.

Pop

No rock music is more timeless than the best work of the Band. “Music From Big Pink” and “The Band” rank among the best rock albums ever.

Much has changed since the Band’s original 1968-76 run--including the estrangement of guitarist and chief songwriter Robbie Robertson, and the suicide of soulful Richard Manuel. But remaining original members Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson are tremendous talents, and their recent recorded output with a new batch of accompanying musicians suggests they’ve held onto their ability, if not their inspiration.

Sweetening the bill is John Wesley Harding, sounding meatier and more direct on his “New Deal” album than he did in his cheeky youth.

* Who: The Band and John Wesley Harding.

* When: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

* Where: Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to Harbor Blvd., head north on Harbor and take the third right, Lake Center Drive. The theater is on the left.

* Wherewithal: $21.50-$23.50.

* Where to call: (714) 957-0600.

Comedy

Bobby Slayton will never be confused with the friendly boy next door who watches your house while you’re gone. Slayton is the guy you’re watching out for.

Long known as the “Pit Bull of Comedy” (much better, he says, than the “French Poodle of Comedy”), Slayton uses his nonstop, biting delivery to torment the weak, the women and the minorities among us. And somehow, the native New Yorker and former American Comedy Club stand-up comedian of the year deftly pulls it off with minimum threats of bodily harm to himself.

* Who: Bobby Slayton.

* When: 8:30 p.m. today and Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

* Where: The Improv, 945 E. Birch St., Brea.

* Whereabouts: Exit the Orange (57) Freeway at Lambert Road; go west. Turn left onto State College Boulevard and right onto Birch Street. The Improv is in the Brea Marketplace, across from the Brea Mall.

* Wherewithal: $10-$12.

* Where to call: (714) 529-7878.

Family Affair

If Mom likes art, she might enjoy the Sunset Beach Art Festival this weekend. Almost 200 artists and artisans, as well as local restaurants offering food samples ($1 to $3), will set up booths. Blues, jazz and country bands, along with children’s entertainers, will perform. Local artists will display their work at the Sunset Beach Fire Station’s Firehouse No. 3 Gallery.

The festival is sponsored by Las Damas and benefits the Los Alamitos and Huntington Beach school districts and local charities.

* What: Sunset Beach Art Festival.

* When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

* Where: On and adjacent to the greenbelt at 12th Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach.

* Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Warner Avenue; go west. Turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway.

* Wherewithal: Free.

* Where to call: (310) 592-2797.