Take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear Emmy-winning pianist and Eastman School of Music graduate Laurence Rosenthal as he plays music by Composers Gurdjieff and Hartmann. Hartmann himself is personally interested in the composers’ works and even edited the first publication of Gurdjieff / de Hartmann music. His personal passion for the work is bound to shine through his playing. Tickets $10-20. 4 p.m. Paine Hall. (VMA)

THEATER | Richard the Third

The Actors Shakespeare Project proudly presents in its premiere production with Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Richard the Third. Watch as this tale of historic political manipulation, about a physically-deformed Richard who will stop at nothing to gain the thrown, unravels before you. Through Nov. 7. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street. Call (866) 811-4111 for ticket prices. (VMA)

THEATER | The Glider

Nationally-recognized “Haiku” author Kate Snodgrass returns to the stage with this play about the homecoming of three sisters. Here is a dark comedy about family secrets with which every audience member is sure to identify. 7:30 p.m. Through Nov. 14. Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Ave. Call (617) 358-7529. (VMA)

Monday, Nov. 8

MUSIC | Animal Collective

Most pop music a little too straight-forward to you? Animal Collective are the group responsible for one of 2004’s most critically praised releases to date, their mesmerizing Sung Tongs. Subverting traditional song structure in a blend called “campfire music on acid,” the Collective manage to be idiosyncratic while still incredibly melodic, and their live show will be enough to compel the most hardened disbeliever. With local psych-rockers Sunburned Hand of the Man. Tickets $10. 9 p.m. T.T. the Bear’s Place. (CAK)

FILM | Batman

The original is back. Michael Keaton is the Dark Knight detective in Tim Burton’s adaptation of the classic comic series versus his classic nemesis The Joker. It was the beginning of the current streak of giving art-house directors the key to studio franchises, that has led to project like Bryan Singer’s X-Men and Christopher Nolan’s new version of Batman. The key is Anton Furst’s remarkable production design; there is nothing quite like the Gotham City he designed with Burton. Anchoring the magic is Jack Nicholson’s astonishing performance as The Joker. He has truly “danced with the devil in the pale moonlight,” a sight that must be seen to be believed. 7 p.m. at the Harvard Film Archive (SAW)

FILM | Irma Vep

The title, an anagram for vampire is just the first surprise in this wonderfully idiosyncratic French classic. A neurotic imaginative director is trying to remake Louis Feuillade’s classic silent thriller serial Les Vampires, but the plans go awry as plans are wont to do. Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung, as herself, comes to Paris to take the lead role, Irma Vep. Soon, however, she is waylaid by semi-psychotic journalists lecturing her on the future of cinema and strange, frightening dreams that seem to be connected to the project. This bizarre and amazing satire of modern French cinema and culture is a delightful romp with surprisingly deep performances. 9:15 p.m. at the Harvard Film Archive (SAW)

Tuesday, Nov. 9