ONSTAGE
“Clarence Darrow for the Defense” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. The Aurora Fox Studio Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave. Tickets are $25. Call 303-739-1970 or visit aurorafoxartscenter.org for more information.
Legal wonks and history nerds, rejoice. One of the most-decorated American lawyers of all time — outside of Charlie Kelly and his burgeoning bird law practice, that is — Clarence Darrow took part in some of the most well known, yet infamous, trials of the early 20th century, including the Scopes “Monkey” trial as well as the for-thrill killers Leopold and Loeb. This new Slingshot Theatre production at The Aurora Fox Arts Center walks through some of Darrow’s more notable lifetime achievements and transports audiences back to the time in American history when he carved out the niche of “sophisticated country lawyer” and helped lay the groundwork for Gregory Peck to win an Oscar for much the same type of personage. David Casiano stars in this gripping retrospective of the American legal system.
“The Spitfire Grill: The Musical” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Tickets are $28 in advance, $32 at the door, www.vintagetheatre.com or 303-856-7830.
The Vintage crew, fresh off their Henry Award-nominated run of “‘Night Mother,” bring a lighter, music-filled tale of three women in a small town who cook up a plan to raffle off the only restaurant in town in order to keep the grills going. Kelly Watt, Megan Van De Hey and Anne Oberbroeckling lead this production of the James Valcq musical. Don’t miss the final weekend of this local, musical primed to please any lover of the classic book and film “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
AROUND TOWN
ACAD Studios and Gallery 2015 Summer Art Show 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 14, ACAD Studio, 1400 Dallas St. Free.
Free beer, free food and free (to look at) local art? Say no more. But we will, at least a little bit, because, hey, this is a newspaper. A total of six ACAD Studio residents and a handful of local guests will be showing their eclectic work at the Dallas Street space this weekend with beer compliments of neighboring Mu Brewery and catered Indian food thanks to the brother of local artist and thespian Sushma Bagga. Okay, we’re also a little worried about the repercussions on Saturday following that potent slurry, but hey, summer’s coming to a close and you have to get the fun in while it’s still somewhat comfortable to step outside. We’re glaring at you, winter.
“Silver Linings Playbook” at Screen on the Green 8 p.m., Aug. 13, The ViewHouse Centennial, 7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial. Entry is free.
Ernest Hemingway can definitely be esoteric. We’re not totally sure that warrants throwing “A Farewell to Arms” through an attic window, but, hey, to each his own. Though the folks at The ViewHouse Centennial may not be the biggest fans of a thoroughly sauced Thursday night crowd tossing their greater collections of The Bearded One every which way, you’ll have just such an opportunity to mimic Bradley Cooper during a viewing of “Silver Linings” on a lovely, astro turf green. There will undoubtedly be drink specials, too — not that this flick really needs any liquid to make it better. At least, that’s according to the Oscar nomination committee.
Hops in the Hangar 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Aug. 16, Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver. Ages 21 and up.
Beer and planes, that’s what Lowry does. Well, that and look exactly like an abandoned set from The Truman Show. Regardless, that duo will be on full display at the 2015 Hops in the Hangar event at the nearby Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Dry Dock, Comrade and more than 20 other of the usual craft brewery players will be pouring draughts and Jim ’N’ Nicks BBQ will be roasting grub. Tickets are $25 for designated drivers and $35 for non-members.