In his day, Oscar Wilde was widely known for his audacious behavior and bold works of drama. In contemporary Britain, playwright Mark Ravenhill occupies a similar niche and co-opts some of Wilde’s themes for his own work. Take Handbag, his 1998 play that gets its D.C.-area premiere this month courtesy of Scena Theatre. The action first focuses on two gay couples’ plans to raise a baby together in contemporary London, which end disastrously. Ravenhill then incorporates a pre-history of The Importance of Being Earnest into the plot before blending the two worlds together, effectively erasing any progress that was made in the name of gay rights over the intervening century. Read more >>> The play runs Nov. 6 to 30 at the Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Place SE. $10–$40. (703) 684-7990. scenatheatre.org. (Caroline Jones)
EAT THIS
José Andrés is opening up his avant-garde cocktail lab Barmini for classes this week. Today and tomorrow from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., a group of 20 students will receive an hour’s instruction from “cocktail innovator” Juan Coronado on some of the bar’s most innovative cocktails. (Plus, there are snacks.) Classes are $95 per person. To reserve a space, email barmini@minibarbyjoseandres.com or call (202) 393-0812. Barmini, 855 E St. NW. (202) 393-0812. minibarbyjoseandres.com. (Jamie Slater)
OH AND ALSO
Puerto Rican jazz saxophonist Miguel Zenon plays Atlas Performing Arts Center and discusses his music before taking the stage. Read more in our Fall Arts Guide. 8 p.m. at 1333 H St. NE. $20–$35.
Head to DC9 for a noisy show featuring Toronto punk act PUP, Brooklyn quartet Chumped, and local rock act Typefighter. 8:30 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $10.
New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore reveals the secret history of Wonder Woman, a topic she explores in depth in a new book, at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center. 6:45 p.m. at 1100 Jefferson Drive SW. $30–$42.
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