BEST BETS Saturday 5/12

COSTA MESA

8pm

Theater

So where were you in 1926? Mickey Rooney, then 6, was launching his film career--it was still the era of silent pictures--playing a cocky little tough kid named Mickey McGuire. Now 80, with more than 200 screen and television roles and seven marriages behind him, he is still out there--hoofing, singing and hamming on a tour that brings him to Orange Coast College for a one-nighter. Joining Rooney will be Jan Chamberlin, a singer-actress who is the eighth and, after 23 years, the longest-tenured Mrs. Rooney. They will be backed by the Henry Cuesta Big Band, with the Drifters and comic Pete Barbutti as warmups.

* Mickey Rooney, Robert B. Moore Theatre, Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. $25 to $33. (714) 432-5880.

IRVINE

7:30pm

Opera

Inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the four March sisters growing up in Civil War-era New England, composer Mark Adamo has turned “Little Women” into an opera. The work was commissioned in 1998 for the Houston Grand Opera Studio. It proved so popular it was revived in 2000 as part of the company’s main subscription series. The work is produced here by Opera Pacific to launch its new American opera series. Christopher Larkin, who led the world premiere, will conduct.

* “Little Women,” Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive. 7:30 p.m. Also May 16, 18 and 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday and May 20, 2 p.m. $12 to $60. (949) 997-6504.

CYPRESS

Noon

Festival

Chalk drawing, a children’s hands-on art pavilion, live entertainment and a juried art show are all part of the Festival of the Arts at Cypress Community Center this weekend. Teen actor Justin Berfield of the sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” will present the opening ceremonies. Food and refreshments are available.

* “Festival of the Arts,” Community Center/Oak Knoll Park, 5700 Orange Ave., Cypress. Noon-5 p.m. Free. (714) 229-6780.