BEST BETS Thursday 7/27

IRVINE

8:30pm

Comedy

Craig Shoemaker, the American Comedy Awards’ 1997 Comedian of the Year, is best known for his bawdy character “The Lovemaster.” But Shoemaker adapted a new onstage persona two years ago: the Diapermaster--or Minivan Man. Oh, he’s still Romance Man offstage for his wife. Not that it comes naturally: “I’m from Philly. Our idea of romance is ‘Relax honey, there ain’t no cars coming.’ ”

* Craig Shoemaker, Irvine Improv, 71 Fortune Drive. 8:30 p.m. Also Friday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7, 9 and 11 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. $15 to $17. (949) 854-5455.

ORANGE

8pm

Theater

One of history’s great artistic swan songs, “The Tempest” ended Shakespeare’s career in peak form, with a valedictory ode to the power of creativity. Prospero, the magician who orchestrates the action on the play’s enchanted isle, embodies the wisdom, wonder and imaginative force the Bard brought to his theatrical spell-casting. Veteran Shakespeare Orange County actor Daniel Bryan Cartmell plays the lead in this magical tale of a young beauty (Miranda), a vengeful yet pathos-laden beast (Caliban) and Ariel, the blithe spirit who playfully flies at his master’s command.

* “The Tempest,” presented by Shakespeare Orange County at the Waltmar Theatre, Chapman University, 301 E. Palm St., Orange. Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Preview tonight, opens Friday. Through Aug. 12. $22 to $24. (714) 744-7016.