all day: Movies

In the new movie “High Fidelity,” John Cusack plays Rob Gordon, the hapless owner of a struggling vinyl-only record store (that’s right, vinyl) who spends most of his time hanging with his buddies (Todd Louiso and Jack Black) discussing the most arcane minutiae of pop music. But Rob’s carefree life is thrown a curve when his longtime girlfriend (Iben Hjejle), tired of his immature slacker ways, walks out. Cusack and writing partners D.V. DeVincentis and Steve Pink (who collaborated on “Grosse Pointe Blank”), and screenwriter Scott Rosenberg adapted the screenplay from the novel by Nick Hornby. It’s directed by Stephen Frears (“The Snapper,” “The Grifters”). The huge ensemble cast includes Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack, Tim Robbins, Lili Taylor and, in a rare cameo appearance, Bruce Springsteen.

* “High Fidelity,” which is rated R for language and some sexuality, opens Friday in general release.

all day: Movies

In “The Road to El Dorado,” the new animated adventure from DreamWorks, a pair of con men travel to the storied City of Gold in search of treasure. The voice cast includes Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Rosie Perez, Armand Assante and Edward James Olmos, and features music by Elton John, Tim Rice and Hans Zimmer.

* “The Road to El Dorado,” rated PG for mild thematic material and language, opens Friday in general release

8 pm: Theater

Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby is “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” playing opposite musical-stage pro Christopher Carl in Meredith Willson’s musical about the rags-to-riches life of Molly Brown, celebrated survivor of the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage. This new production opens at La Mirada Theatre, where Rigby and husband Tom McCoy run the McCoy Rigby professional series.

* “Unsinkable Molly Brown,” La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m.; also April 8, 15, 2:30 p.m.; April 9, 16, 7:30 p.m. Ends April 16. $34. (562) 944-9801, (714) 994-6150.

8 pm: Pop Music

Leader Juan de Marcos Gonzales’ vision of a generation-spanning panorama of Cuban music continues on the Afro-Cuban All Stars’ new album, “Distinte, Diferente,” and is embodied in his big band’s percussion section--the young Miguel “Anga” Diaz on congas and veteran Amadito Valdes on timbales.

* Afro-Cuban All Stars, Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood, 8 p.m. $20 to $35. (310) 825-2101.

8 pm: Theater

Ron Campbell headlines the world premiere of D.W. Jacobs’ new solo show, “R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe,” adapted from the life and work of the legendary original thinker.

* “R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe,” San Diego Repertory Theatre, Lyceum Space, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Sundays and April 5, 19, 2 p.m. Ends April 23. $21 to $34. (619) 544-1000.

3 pm: TV Museum

Orson Welles challenged radio with “The War of the Worlds” and film with “Citizen Kane.” In 1956, he also attempted to bring innovation to television with a Peabody Award-winning pilot titled “The Fountain of Youth.” This adaptation of John Collier’s short story “A Youth From Vienna” showcased Welles’ talents as a writer, director, producer, production designer, musical arranger, narrator and host. “The Fountain of Youth” teased viewer expectations of reality through a variety of audiovisual effects, manipulative lighting, fake backdrops, dialogue interwoven with narration and the use of stills. But its refusal to follow television convention led to it being rejected by the networks. The pilot, produced by Desilu, the production company headed by “I Love Lucy” stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, finally aired in 1958 as an episode of “Colgate Theatre.” On Friday, “The Fountain of Youth” gets its first authorized public screening in more than 40 years at the Museum of Television & Radio as part of a Welles series that includes his 1956 guest appearance on “I Love Lucy” and a little-seen 1955 interview with Edward R. Murrow.

* “The Fountain of Youth,” the Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. Opens Friday. Wednesdays-Sundays, 3 p.m., with an additional screening Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Through May 21. $6; students and senior citizens, $4; children under 13, $3. (310) 786-1000.

8 pm: Theater

In the first of a series of annual international theater exchanges, City Garage and Arden 2 Productions present Poland’s Teatr PROVISORIUM and Kompania Teatr of Lublin’s production of Witold Gombrowicz’s satirical masterwork based on the legend of Faust, “Ferdydurke.” Performances will be presented in Polish and English.

* “Ferdydurke,” City Garage, 1340 1/2 4th St. (alley), Santa Monica. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 8 p.m. (in Polish); Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 5:30 p.m.; April 9, 5:30 and 8 p.m. (in English). Ends April 9. $20; Sunday shows, pay what you can. (310) 319-9939.

FREEBIES: Leading vibraphonist Joe Locke joins saxophonist Walt Weiskopf’s quintet at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 5:30-8:30 p.m. (323) 857-6000.

*

Adult stage and screen professionals will perform “April Fools!,” eight short plays about “something foolish,” written by youth members of the theater arts Virginia Avenue Project, at 24th Street Theatre, 1117 W. 24th St., Los Angeles. Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Reservations advised: (310) 330-8860.