Best bets: 'Quentin Crisp,' 'House of Usher,' 'Running Mates,' Pride Fest, Next Generation

“A VISIT WITH QUENTIN CRISP”: Quentin Crisp was an English raconteur whose work in the public eye included a memoir of his life and various media appearances. Before becoming well-known, he was an artist's model, hence the title of his most famous work, “The Naked Civil Servant.” He afterward became a gay icon due to his flamboyant personality, fashion sense and wit. His iconic status was occasionally controversial, due to remarks about subjects like the AIDS crisis. Local actor Bryan Mercer will mesmerize the audience as he brings this iconic character to life at the Actors’ Warehouse — 2512 NE First Blvd. — sharing highlights of Crisp's memoir. “A Visit With Quentin Crisp” will be a pleasure indeed. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit actorswarehouse.org/coming-soon.

“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER”: The High Springs Playhouse is bringing an short story by Edgar Allan Poe to life — just in time for the spooky season. Their adaptation of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston. James Brookfield, an up-and-coming writer of potboilers from New York City, is invited to the Boston home of his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, to, as his host suggests, “chronicle the evolution” of the House of Usher. What begins for Brookfield as a pleasant distraction from the busy hubbub of New York’s literary circles turns into a maelstrom of horror when he slowly discovers Usher’s secret intent, and realizes that the life of Usher’s sister, Madeline, as well as Brookfield’s own life, are in terrible danger. Told as a series of lightning-paced flashbacks as tough-as-nails police detective Michael Shaughnessy questions Brookfield about what actually happened to cause the fire that destroyed the House of Usher, the play moves relentlessly to its terrifying, stunning conclusion. Catch at showing at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30 at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186th Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students 17 and younger and seniors ages 65 and older. For more information about this and other upcoming shows, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

“RUNNING MATES”: The Hipp’s newest production, the fast-paced political comedy “Running Mates,” brings new meaning to the phrase “family politics.” With the scandal of a leaked video, Sam, the longtime beloved mayor of Anderson, suddenly sees his seat in office threatened. Mischief ensues when the last person he ever expected — his wife, Sophia — decides to run against him. It’s down and dirty and laugh-out-loud funny as husband and wife duke it out. And what happens when an unexpected third candidate enters the race? Find out during a show at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 30 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $20 to $50. For more information, visit thehipp.org.

GAINESVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL: After a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida is bringing back its annual Gainesville Pride Festival. Co-sponsored by the City of Gainesville Department of Cultural Affairs, the Pride Festival will be held in downtown Gainesville’s Bo Diddley Plaza and surrounding streets from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. The Pride Festival will feature entertainment highlighting local LGBTQ+ performers, activities for all ages, and a variety of vendors. The event is free and open to the public. The theme for Gainesville Pride 2022 is “We’re Here, We’re Queer — Loud and Proud!” For more Pride Festival information and volunteer opportunities, visit gainesvillepride.org/2022pride.

NEXT GENERATION’S FALL SHOWCASE: Dance Alive National Ballet’s student group, The Next Generation, is set to take the stage at 4 p.m. Sunday with a wildly varied concert. New Directors Rachel Ridley and Tales Ribeiro will take dancers and their audience on an exhilarating ride from classical to contemporary dance. The production will start with the entire company in Coppelia Suite. Following intermission, fabulous choreography by Ridley and Ribeiro along with works by master teachers and guest choreographers Omoniyi Obioha and Autumn Morgenstern. Plus, Ann Jullieth Pinheiro and Roberto Vega will dance the Pas from Don Quixote and also will be featured in Coppelia. This family friendly performance by Next Generation provides support for Dance Alive National Ballet’s educational programs. The Next Generation is a group of 32 student dancers who present numerous programs and activities for community service projects in support of DANB’s mission and programming. The show will be performed at Eastside High School Performing Arts Center, 1201 SE 43rd St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For more information, visit pofahldancestudio.com/works or email infor@danceallive.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best bets: 'Quentin Crisp,' Pride Fest, Next Generation, more