PSO Does Burton; “Who’s Line Is It Anyway” at Carnegie Library Music Hall(CPs Sat., 11/23/13)

1) Tim Burton’s trademark visual style, one that is grand and playful but somewhat dark, has always been met by the equally grand and equally playful-but-somewhat-dark musical accompaniment of his constant composer Danny Elfman. An old-school soundtrack maestro, Elfman works with a full orchestra on Burton’s films, and tonight at Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is recreating some of these beloved scores for a show titled Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton. Ted Sperling will conduct the PSO in selections from Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And of course, they will tackle the score with those few notes that defined Batman for a generation. Think and you’ll remember them. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

2) What “American Bandstand” was to early rock and roll, “Whose Line Is It Anyway” was to improv comedy. The latter didn’t invent audience-influenced comedy skits but—in both its original British incarnation and the American ones that ran on ABC and later The CW—it did make the format familiar to millions. Today, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, key players in the U.K. and U.S. versions of the show, will be doing live performances of it at the Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead. There is both an early and late show. Thanks to their work on TV, we all know what to expect: The comedians solicit a few ideas from the audience. Hilarity ensues. 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall.

3) If you prefer your comedy more homebrewed, Club Café is the site of The Pride of Our Fathers Comedy Showcase tonight. Hosted by Andrew Rodgers, it will feature a bevy of his fellow locals. Day Bracey, Norlex Belma, Krish Mohan, Tommie Grant Jr. and Derek Minto will all tell you what’s so funny about being a comedian in Pittsburgh. 10:30 p.m. 56-58 South 12th St., South Side.

4) In its latest offering of free entertainment to go along with a day at the races, The Meadows has brought in The Elliotts, four guys who do faithful renditions of classic songs from the likes of Tom Petty, The Who, the Beatles, and to answer your question, no; nobody in the band is named Elliott. An Elliott Smith song was playing when they were trying to think up a name. 8 p.m. 210 Racetrack Rd., Washington.

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Nick Keppler

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