Rachel Platten Brings Her ‘Fight Song’ to Mr. Smalls; Islanders Face-off Against the Pens (Tues., 3/15/16)

1) Rachel Platten is more than a one-hit wonder, though it’s not surprising if people think of her that way, because that one big hit is really big. Released just last year, “Fight Song” has gone triple platinum in the United States, charted in other countries worldwide, and been used as theme music for causes ranging from Ford SUV ads to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. The song, however, didn’t come from nowhere—Platten has been making music since her school days. After graduating from Trinity College in Connecticut in 2003, she first won notice as a solo artist on the singer/songwriter scene in New York’s Greenwich Village. Then, as Platten developed an indie-pop style, she began recording songs for various TV programs, which helped lead to a major-label contract (with Columbia) and “Fight Song.” Platten is touring in support of her new album Wildfire, which includes other popular numbers like “Stand By You.” She’ll be at Mr Smalls with special guests Eric Hutchinson and Christina Grimmie. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (MV)

2) The Pens face off against the New York Islanders in a 7 p.m. game at Consol Energy Center. Currently residing in fourth place in the NHL’s Metropolitan division, the Penguins can climb in the standings if they beat the Islanders who are in third place. Next up for the team is another home game Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

3) Galaxy Quest – There’s no better way to honor the memory of the brilliant actor Alan Rickman than catching his stellar performance in the 1999 comedy cult classic Galaxy Quest—an outrageously funny piss-take on the Star Trek TV series and movies and their rabid fan base. We meet a group of out-of-work actors still living on the fumes of their cancelled sci-fi television show. Tim Allen is the narcissistic William Shatner-type leading man thoroughly despised by his fellow cast members, Sigourney Weaver played the buxom Lt. Madison, whose only job was to wear tight tops and repeat the ship’s computer. And the glorious Rickman, in a role modeled on Leonard Nimoy, played a lizard-like alien doctor but, in fact, was a classically trained actor who blames the TV show for his wasted career. This crew, along with Tony Shalhoub and Daryl Mitchell are now reduced to haunting Comi-Cons and mall openings.

Meanwhile, in outer space, a doomed race of aliens have picked up transmissions of the old show which they misinterpret as documentaries. This alien race is being systematically slaughtered by a really evil monster so they come to earth in hopes of convincing the cast from the TV show (whom they believe to be actual astronauts) to help destroy their enemies. There’s laughs around every corner of this movie … and none are funnier than Rickman unfurling his curdled voice and imperious manner and sinking his molars into comedy gold. 7 p.m. Runs through Thursday. Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. (TH)

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