fri., dec 5

THEATER | All’s Well That Ends Well

Opening night of the only Shakespeare play on campus this semester. A renowned physician’s daughter is determined to rid the French king of a strange illness, hoping that the favor will be returned with her choice of a husband. How will her chosen one react to being made a prize? Shakespeare’s gender-flipped tale is an under-performed gem. A collaboration of the Quincy House Drama Society and the HRDC. Through Dec. 13. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $8; $5 students. Quincy House, 58 Plympton St., Cambridge. (JM)

THEATER | A New Brain

Plagued by writer’s block, Gordon Schwinn goes face-down in a plate of ziti and is diagnosed with a potentially fatal blockage in his brain. As surgery approaches, Gordon revisits both funny and strange memories, trying to sort out his life and hoping to finish the elusive song that he can’t will his mind to finish. Presented by the HRDC. Through Dec. 6. 7:30 p.m. Free. Loeb Experimental Theater, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. (JM)

DANCE | Da Sho’ – Expressions Fall Show

With hip hop soul coursing through the group’s choreographies, the Expressions Dance Company’s fall dance concert promises to deliver. The Caribbean Club Dance Troupe will also perform along with children from the CityStep program. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $7. Lowell Lecture Hall, 17 Kirkland St., Cambridge. (JM)

MUSIC | Kuumba Singers’ “Unspeakable Joy”

Always exploring the rich musical tradition of black culture, the Kuumba Singers gather up some holiday cheer for their 33rd annual Christmas concert, in honor of Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. 8 p.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, 485 Columbus Ave., Boston. (JM)

sat., dec 6

DANCE | Action Potential: Winter Concert of Modern Dance

The longest-running student dance company on campus, the Harvard-Radcliffe Dance Company, twirls through the festive air with their winter presentation of modern dance choreographies. 8 p.m. Tickets $5. Rieman Center for the Performing Arts, Agassiz House, 10 Garden St., Cambridge. (JM)

FILM | Changing Faces: Tragedy and Triumph

The United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) is an international documentary film festival that has garnered critical acclaim since its inception in 1998. Presented by the Kennedy School Alumni Association of New England, the festival will showcase films tackling global topics such as human rights, women’s issues, religion and war and peace. 12 p.m. Tickets $15; $10 students. Weiner Auditorium, Kenney School of Government, 79 JFK St., Cambridge. (JM)

THEATER | The Gondoliers