70’s Superstar Peter Frampton in Concert at CMHH; CMU Running ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ (Fri., 10/16/15)

1) The year was 1976, the bicentennial of the United States, but an Englishman was ruling America’s radio airwaves. Peter Frampton was that man. Formerly of the English group Humble Pie, Frampton embarked on his own in 1971 and recorded four albums before his 1976 release of Frampton Comes Alive! dropped several songs that burned their way up America’s rock charts—especially “Show Me the Way“, “Baby, I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like We Do.” The album became the top-selling up to that point, and has been certified platinum eight times. Since then, Frampton has had some missteps and dormant periods, but he’s managed to remain relevant by continuing to write, record, and perform great music. It also doesn’t hurt that he appeared as himself on Fox’s “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” Frampton’s most recent release was 2014’s Hummingbird in a Box and he is currently on an all-acoustic tour, which should make his local appearance particularly interesting. 8 p.m. Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead, 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall.

2) If you ask theater fans to name their favorite Shakespeare comedies, two come up repeatedly: As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing. Along with having great comic scenes and characters, they are written in a straightforward style that allows modern audiences to easily follow the language and action. Lately it’s Much Ado that has gotten more buzz, thanks to Joss Whedon’s fine 2012 film adaptation, which won a big following among Whedonites despite its complete lack of superheroes, vampires, or slayers thereof. Now Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama is performing Much Ado About Nothing, a play wherein high-society villains are pursued by clueless cops while a couple of wisecracking cynics find true love in each other’s arms—but only after much ado. 8 p.m. Ends tomorrow. At the Philip Chosky Theater in Purnell Center for the Arts on the Carnegie Mellon campus, 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland. (MV)

He Named Me Malala—It’s challenging to think of anyone in the modern world more inspiring than Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban because she  spoke out in support of education for girls. She nearly died from the attack, which left her with permanent scars, but Malala refused to back down. She’s led a global movement supporting girls education, and at 17, became the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Prize. This documentary by Davis Guggenheim provides the details and context of Malala’s extraordinary life. 2:05 and 6:40 p.m. The Manor Theater, 1729 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. (TH)

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