Durham
The Italian Actress
Manbites Dog TheaterManbites Dog and Little Green Pig present the world premiere of a tale by one of their own in this adaptation of a novel by Duke professor Frank Lentricchia. Little Green Pig describes this as “a kinky meditation on our consuming fear of physical and spiritual decay” that follows the tale of a video artist who decides to make the ultimate transgressive artwork in the form of a snuff film. Also, he’s apparently experiencing performance anxiety while dating iconic Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, which should be understandable to anyone who’s seen her in The Leopard. Rrrrrawww! The production, adapted by Jody McAuliffe, is directed by Dana Marks and features Lenore Field, Jay O’Berski, Michael O’Foghludha, Lucius Robinson and Meredith Sause, along with original filmed material by Jim Haverkamp. It runs through Sept. 26; tickets are $10-$17, and tonight’s preview is pay-what-you-can ($5 minimum). For more info, call 682-3343 or visit www.manbitesdogtheater.org and www.littlegreenpig.com. Zack Smith
Raleigh
Works Progress Administration
Lincoln TheatrePseudo-supergroup Works Progress Administration pares down to its core membership for this outing: Backed by Fiction Family bassist Tyler Chester and Nashville session drummer Jerry Roe, the triumvirate of Toad the Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips, Nickel Creek guitarist Sean Watkins and journeyman fiddler Luke Bulla swaps vocals while picking tunes plucked from each of their discographies and WPA’s recently released debut. That record, a polished roots-pop outing, focuses on the pop even more than Phillips and Watkins’ previous collaborations in Mutual Admiration Society. They’ll get a run for their money from The Shucks, who fill the opening slot with energetic twang and intertwined harmonies at 8 p.m. Ticket are $16-$20. See www.lincolntheatre.com. Spencer Griffith
