BEST BETS Friday 1/4

all day

Movies

The sci-fi thriller “Impostor,” adapted from the Philip K. Dick short story of the same name, stars Gary Sinise as a top scientist in the year 2079 who wakes up one morning to discover that he’s wanted as an alien spy. Gary Fleder directed. Madeleine Stowe and Vincent D’Onofrio co-star.

“Impostor,” rated PG-13, for intense sci-fi violence, some sensuality and language. Opens Friday in general release.

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8pm

Pop Music

Anyone who got shut out of Neil Diamond’s shows last month at the Forum, or for those who did go and still can’t get enough of the “Solitary Man,” Hot August Night serves up the next best thing at the Galaxy in Santa Ana with its tribute to the pop singer.

Tribute to Neil Diamond, Galaxy Concert Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. With Tyler Hilton, Zeora Sage & the Soulshakers, 8 p.m. $13.50. (714) 957-0600.

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8pm

Theater

“The School for Wives” was Moliere’s breakthrough hit comedy in 1662. South Coast Repertory is updating it to the 19th century and using a translation, faithful to the original French rhymed couplet form, that was the basis for a hit production in London in 1997. The action centers on Arnolphe, a wealthy middle-aged burgher who believes cuckoldry is the ultimate disgrace for a man. To avoid that fate, he has handpicked a bride-to-be, Agnes, and brought her up from age 4, schooling her to be a bland simpleton on the supposition that she will lack the imagination to cheat on him. To Arnolphe’s surprise, he falls deeply in love with the girl; but to his chagrin, she proves to be more resourceful than he could have thought.

“The School for Wives,” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m., Saturdays, 2:30 and 8 p.m., Sundays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Previews through Jan. 10; regular performances begin Jan. 11. Ends Feb. 10. $19 to $52. (714) 708-5555.

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all day

Movies

Frequently called the actor of his generation and certainly the most explosive, Sean Penn remains as well-known for his short marriage to Madonna and his pugilistic attitude toward paparazzi as he is for his cinematic work. With “Spontaneous Combustion: A Tribute to Sean Penn,” the American Cinematheque spotlights the actor- director’s fiery talents in front of and behind the camera. Highlights include Saturday’s double feature of Penn’s 1991 directorial debut, “The Indian Runner,” starring David Morse and Viggo Mortensen, and his most recent directing effort, “The Pledge,” starring Jack Nicholson.

“Spontaneous Combustion: A Tribute to Sean Penn,” American Cinematheque, Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. “The Falcon and the Snowman” and “She’s So Lovely,” Friday, 7:30 p.m. “At Close Range,” Saturday, 5 p.m.; “The Indian Runner” and “The Pledge,” Saturday, 8 p.m. “Dead Man Walking” and “Sweet and Lowdown,” Sunday, 5 p.m. “Carlito’s Way” and “Hurlyburly,” Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. $6 to $8. (323) 466-3456.

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noon

Leisure

Looking for something old for the new year? The Santa Monica Antique Show & Sale has something for nearly everyone who values objects of a certain vintage. More than 95 dealers are expected to display--and, of course, sell--fine art, jewelry, rugs, porcelains, silver, furniture and other collectibles.

Santa Monica Antique Show & Sale, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. Friday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. $3 to $6, children younger than 12, free. (310) 393-9931.

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8pm

Theater

Israel Horovitz’s American in Paris has a much rougher time of it than Gene Kelly ever did. This man hopes to make a quick buck off the sale of a luxury apartment he inherited in Horovitz’s play “My Old Lady,” but all his plans are thwarted by an intractable 94-year-old tenant and her daughter.

“My Old Lady,” Mark Taper Forum at the James A. Doolittle Theatre, 1615 N. Vine St., Hollywood. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2:30 p.m.; except Feb. 6, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 10, 2:30 p.m. only. Ends Feb. 10. $30 to $44. (213) 628-2772.

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8pm

Music

The 18-year-old Los Angeles Baroque Players offers a program of music by composers of the French Baroque.

Los Angeles Baroque Players, Trinity Lutheran Church, 997 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. 8 p.m. $15 to $20. (323) 254-9613. Also Sunday, Contrapuntal Performances Recital Hall, 655 N. Bundy Drive, Brentwood. 2:30 p.m. $25 to $30.