The √ indicates admission is $5 or less, or free. Full-price admission is listed; the * denotes discounts (or free) for students, seniors, military, members, children and/or advance purchase. Call the venue for details.

STAGE

"Kraken-Ka, The Komodo Dragon and Other Pacific Rim Dragon Tales," three tales of dragons, premiering 7:30 p.m. today, UH-Manoa, Kennedy Theatre; repeats 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 30; $12*; 956-7655, www.etickethawaii.com.

"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," recounts the demise of Chicken Ranch, the pleasure palace of governors, senators and others, premiering 8 p.m. today, Diamond Head Theatre; repeats 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, (3 p.m. Saturday matinee Sept. 29 and Oct. 6), 4 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 7; $12-$42; 733-0277, www.diamondheadtheatre.com.

"Mercury: Science Fiction Theatre," short works by authors Terry Bisson, James Patrick Kelly and Ricardo Bracho, premiering 11 p.m. Saturday, UH-Manoa, Earle Ernst Lab Theatre; repeats 8 p.m. Sunday and 11 p.m. Sept. 28-29; $10*; 956-7655, www.hawaii.edu/kennedy.

"Twelfth Night," Shakespeare's classic comedy of mistaken identity, bewildering desires and practical jokes; 7 p.m. today-Saturday; Kapolei High School forum; $6; 692-8200, ext. 3276.

√ "Inside Out," by Richard Tillotson, readers theater presentation; 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday; Church of the Crossroads; free, donations accepted; 949-2220.

"The Lion King," 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 9; Blaisdell Concert Hall; $33-$91, premium tickets $156; 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

√ "The Three Sisters," by Chekov, translated by Lanford Wilson, a readers theater presentation, 2 p.m. Sunday, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter; free; 438-4480.

"hIP-hoPALypse," lyrical poetry mixed with martial arts, hip-hop and human drama, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Sept. 29; Ong King Arts Center; $10-$15; 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

"Once Upon a Mattress," based on the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea," 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday; Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter; $12-$20; 438-4480, www.squareone.org/act.

"The Musical of Musicals — The Musical," five comedic musicals about a woman unable to pay rent and her evil landlord, 8 p.m. today-Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday; Manoa Valley Theatre; $35*; 988-6131, www.manoavalleytheatre.com.

"The Little Mermaid," a mermaid sacrifices her tail and voice in exchange for legs and winning the love of the prince, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 6; Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral; $16*; 839-9885, www.htyweb.org.

"The Baltimore Waltz," The Actors' Group presents this drama based on the love and adventures of a brother and sister, one of whom has a fatal disease, 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, The Yellow Brick Studio; $15*; 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

"Ala Wai," Bryan Hiroshi Wake's comedy about two roommates; 8 p.m. today-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; Kumu Kahua Theatre; $16*; 536-4411.

COMEDY

"Comedy at The Cupola," featuring Kaleo Pilanco, Shawn Felipe and Lanai, doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 Tuesdays through Oct. 23, Honolulu Design Center's Cupola Theatre; $12; www.island985.com, www.honoluludesigncenter.com.

"Comedy Near the Moon," with Augie T, dinner at 7 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Fridays, Aaron's, Ala Moana Hotel; $75 with dinner, $30 show only; 955-4466.

Sharkey's Comedy Club: "Open-Mike Comedy Competition," doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Thursdays; "Improv Comedy With The Comedy Crusaders," doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Fridays; "Stand Up Comedy With Bo Irvine and Friends," doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Saturdays; $8* Thursdays, $15* Fridays-Saturdays. 531-4242.

AT THE MALLS

√ Ala Moana Center: Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday; Moonlight Mele Concert Series, 7-9 p.m. Saturdays; Ipolei Mariko Hula Halau, 12-12:45 p.m. Sunday; Keiki hula show, 10-11 a.m. Sundays; free. 955-9517.

√ Kahala Mall: Aloha Saturday with Ka Hale I o Kahala Halau Hula, 12-1 p.m. Sept. 29; free; www.kahalamallcenter.com.

√ Pearlridge Center, Uptown: Aloha Festivals Keiki Ho'olaule'a, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Performing Artist Academy performance, 4:15-5:15 p.m. Saturday; Race for the Cure registration, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday; Pineapple Squeeze followed by Halau Hula O Mokulehua, 1 p.m. Sunday; Mokichi Okada Association Hawai'i health activities, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Monday; Downtown: Keiki Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Tuesdays; Junior Keiki Tuesday and chess lessons, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays; free. 488-0981.