Today’s Best Bets

Movies

New Beverly Cinema is usually a revival house, but this month it is showcasing several new films that for various reasons don’t have U.S. distribution. Currently, it’s the L.A. premiere of “A Merry War” (based on George Orwell’s “Keep the Aspidistra Flying”), which stars Richard E. Grant and Helena Bonham Carter.

New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., (323) 938-4038. (Playing with “Withnail & I” through Saturday.)

Theater

Marshall W. Mason directs the premiere of “Riga,” William M. Hoffman’s drama about two gay men struggling to rekindle their relationship as they cope with such abuses as anti-Semitism, racism and gay-bashing.

Venture West Theatre Co. at [Inside] the Ford, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre Complex, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Feb. 27. $20. (323) 660-8587.

Television

He won’t have time to run through his entire recently released four-CD boxed set, but Randy Newman surely made some interesting choices for his appearance on PBS’ pop music showcase. (With John Mellencamp.)

“Sessions at West 54th St.,” 12:30 a.m., KCET-TV.

Pop Music

Veteran soul diva Patti LaBelle brings her mighty voice to town and shares the bill with a member of the younger generation, Gerald Levert.

Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, (818) 622-4440. 8:15 p.m.