After delivering a captivating speech, Julius Weishan Lee, a promising, young New York Assemblyman, has found himself at the center of the political stage in playwright Kenneth Lin’s Warrior Class. The speech and the man invariably catch the attention of Nathan Berkshire, whom the script describes as “a many faceted political creature.” Deceptively laidback, Nathan’s amiable demeanor conceals a far more calculating core—an essential attribute for someone vetting Lee for Congress. Beneath Lee’s ideal façade lies a troubling and potentially lethal episode with a college flame that threatens to undermine his campaign before it’s begun. Lin’s play is at once an unsurprising portrayal of Washington politics and a nuanced depiction of how power corrodes relationships and how pasts resurface as public and personal liabilities. Read more >>> The performance, a reading of the play, begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab, 2700 F St. NW. Free. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Victoria Gaffney)

EAT THIS

The Bird opens today at 4 p.m. Swing by with a date to split the whole roasted organic Amish chicken for two served with endive salad, roasted Brussels sprouts, heirloom carrots, cornbread dressing, and roasted chicken jus for $45. Tack on a bottle of wine from Lieb Cellars for an additional $45. The Bird, 1337 11th St. NW. (202) 518-3609. thebirddc.com. (Laura Hayes)

OH AND ALSO

Following a family dispute, Dweezil Zappa brings his newly renamed “Dweezil Zappa Plays Whatever the F@%k He Wants—The Cease and Desist Tour” to the Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $65.

Celebrate Halloween at Echostage, where GRiZ headlines an evening of electronic music featuring sets from Haywyre and The Geek x Vrv. 9 p.m. at 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE. $20–$30.

Norwegian pop artist Aurora plays an intimate show at 9:30 Club with opening act Dan Croll. 7 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $20.

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