8 pm Theater

8pm Theater

“Exmass,” a dark musical comedy by Bradley Rand Smith, Lewis Black and Mark Houghtaling, presented cabaret-style, explores holiday joys and despair.

“Exmass,” Open Fist Theatre Company, 1625 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, Thursdays to Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Dec. 22. $15, except Sundays, pay-what-you-can. (323) 882-6912.

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8pm Comedy Freebie

Singing. Sketches. Human sacrifice. Whatever it takes to get a laugh, host Chris Mancini and his posse of local comedians give it a try during the monthly alternative comedy show in the cafe at Borders Books & Music. This time around it’s Graham Elwood, Jeremy Kramer, Frank Conniff and the Musical Throwing Toasters on board.

Alternative comedy show, Borders Books & Music, 330 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 8 p.m. Free. (310) 659-4045.

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all day Art

Seventy of the world’s most famous pictures--taken by artists, photojournalists, scientists and commercial photographers--are assembled in “Photographs We Know--Iconic Images,” an exhibition that veteran photography dealer David Fahey has worked on for a couple of decades. Conceived as a social and cultural history, the show encompasses everything from Yousuf Karsh’s portrait of Winston Churchill to Joe Rosenthal’s “Iwo Jima,” Alfred Eisenstaedt’s “V-J Day in Times Square” and Max Yavno’s “Muscle Beach.”

“Photographs We Know--Iconic Images,” Fahey/Klein Gallery, 148 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. Today to Feb. 16. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. (323) 934-2250.

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8pm Theater

Sacred Fools presents a holiday double bill: “The Long Christmas Dinner,” Thornton Wilder’s classic spanning 90 years in the lives of an affluent Midwestern family; and “The SantaLand Diaries,” humorist David Sedaris’ odyssey as a Macy’s Christmas elf, adapted for stage by Joe Mantello and starring Andrew Friedman.

“The Long Christmas Dinner” and “The SantaLand Diaries,” Sacred Fools Theater, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive, L.A., Thursdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Dec. 22. $15, except opening-weekend gala this Friday, $20. (310) 281-8337.

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8:30pm Jazz

The David Sanchez Quartet continues its weeklong gig at the Catalina Bar & Grill. The Times’ Don Heckman has pronounced saxophonist Sanchez’s group one of the finest ensembles on the current jazz scene.

David Sanchez Quartet, Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., Thursday to Saturday, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.; also Sunday, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $15 to $17. (323) 466-2210.