If a musical’s quality can be measured, in some part, by how catchy its songs are, then Sheryl Crow’s first attempt at composing one just might succeed. This week, she turns her attention to the stage with Diner, an adaptation of Barry Levinson’s 1982 film about six college-aged friends and their imminent march toward adulthood. Levinson wrote Diner’s book on his own, so expect a semi-faithful adaptation, albeit without a young Kevin Bacon. Crow draws inspiration from early rock ’n’ roll and doo-wop (the action takes place in 1959) for the original music and lyrics—but even though Diner’s set 55 years in the past, the topics its characters are concerned with (love, money, career, family) remain relevant. Read more >>> The musical runs Dec. 9 through Jan. 25 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. $29–$80. (703) 820-9771. signature-theatre.org. (Caroline Jones)
EAT THIS
The Pig is hosting a pairing dinner with Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company tonight at 7 p.m. The $50 five-course, six-beer meal includes house-made weisswurst (German veal and bacon sausage) paired with a Trail Angel Weiss and pork spareribs with black truffle barbecue and cornbread pudding paired with Smokehaus Rauchbier. Make a reservation online or by calling (202) 290-2921. The full menu is available here. The Pig, 1320 14th St. NW. (202) 290-2821. thepigdc.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Woolly Mammoth Theatre begins performances of Famous Puppet Death Scenes, a collection of drama’s greatest end-of-life sequences presented by puppets from Canada’s Old Trout Puppet Theater. Read more in our Fall Arts Guide. 8 p.m. at 641 D St. NW. Pay what you can.
Seattle-based indie-folk act the Head and the Heart plays DAR Constitution Hall with the Wisconsin-based folk performers of Phox. 8 p.m. at 1776 D St. NW. $34.
Jamaican Queens, a Detroit-based techno duo, plays an intimate show at the Black Cat Backstage with local band Paperhaus and Brooklyn’s Spirit Animal. 8 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $10.
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