The Amherst College Department of Theater and Dance will present "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," featuring performers from all five colleges. Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' classic 1962 musical (based on Shepherd Mead's famous 1952 book of the same title) follows an ambitious window-washer as he makes his way through the corporate world, dealing with every business cliche from seductive secretaries to timid yes-men. Brian Clowdus '03 produced and directed the performance for his senior thesis. (Apr. 3-5, 8:00 p.m., Kirby Theater. For more information, call 542-2277.)

The Robinson & Cole Family Series will feature the Tony Award-winning musical "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." The beautiful young Belle softens the heart of a hideous Beast (who is really a handsome prince under a spell). Already seen the movie? Come anyway-the play includes eight songs not heard in the movie. And besides, there's nothing like a live performance. (Apr. 2 - 6, Mortensen Hall, Bushnell Center, Hartford, Conn. For more information, call (860) 987-5900 or visit www.bushnell.org.)

Luis Chaluisan '86 will be performing his popular one-man show, "Spic Chic: Spanish People in Control," with music by his band, El Extreme. Chaluisan is a Nuyorican poet and Albany's Changing Space Gallery's playwright-in-residence. Spic Chic "portrays Puetro Rican pride in surviving life in the United States." (Apr. 4, 7:30 p.m., the Octagon. For more information, visit www.elextreme.info.)

The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art will sponsor a reading and book

signing by author/playwright/commentator David Sedaris. Sedaris has been called "the funniest man alive" by Time Out New York, "brilliantly witty" by New York Magazine, and "humorist of the year" by Time. But don't take their word for it. Take mine. I've read his books. He's fucking hilarious, and well worth the two-hour trip. (Apr. 3, 7:30 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, Conn. For more information, call (203) 438-4519.)

Hosting last Sunday's timid Academy Awards ceremony, poor Steve Martin didn't know what to do with himself, but he revels in sheepish glory in 1991's "Father of the Bride." The film, featuring Martin's signature shruggy eyebrows and comic know-how opposite Diane Keaton's winning smile and smart delivery is a tempting, if sinfully fluffy, reprieve from CNN. Turn off the special reports for a little while to laugh (and, if you really fall for the meringue, cry) at Martin's antics and what-do-you-know epiphanies. Take a close look at the bride's little brother Matty and you'll recognize Kieran Culkin (of last year's"Igby Goes Down") in one of his debut roles.