'Sunshine': Peering Through Darkness

Maryland

Today

ON STAGE: "Cymbeline" This is one of Shakespeare's not-often-staged romances, and the new company Dog & Pony DC (upstarts who staged "Cordelia's Fool" and "The Trojan Women" at last year's Capital Fringe Festival) takes it on with seven actors performing 28 roles and a set that makes use of a chalkboard. "Cymbeline" follows a king who believes only one of his three children is alive, and is enraged when she marries a commoner. $15 at the door. Tonight-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2. Round House Theatre Silver Spring, 8641 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. For details, visit http://www.dogandponydc.com.

Saturday

FOR FAMILIES: Maryland Day: A Reason to Consume 50,000 Cupcakes Thousands of people -- students, alumni, little ones -- come out for Maryland Day, the University of Maryland's open house that features lots of talks and performances aimed at pleasing parents and enticing future students. So what's up with the cupcakes? Said to be the idea of Patsy Mote, wife of the university's president, the red, yellow, brown and white confections will be placed in the shape of the U-Md. seal. For weeks, cupcakes have been stored all over campus (they'll be given out beginning at 10 a.m. at Hornbake Plaza). Another highlight if you're not a student: The spring football game, the final scrimmage of the season, at Byrd Stadium (doors at 12:30 p.m., kickoff at 3:30.) Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. University of Maryland, Route 1 and Campus Drive, College Park. To download a program and map, visit http://www.marylandday.umd.edu.

CONCERT: Ministry Aww. Al Jourgensen's aggro-industrial band inspires something a little like nostalgia for us: The act's turn on 1992's Lollapalooza tour (promoting the classic grunge-era record "Psalm 69") was the first time we were nearly trampled at a show. It was the height of Ministry, and it was wild. Well, Jourgensen is finally putting the band to bed, with what's being touted as Ministry's final studio album, "The Last Sucker," and the "C U LaTour" -- which the band is calling the final world tour (don't you just love how just the right wording leaves musicians open for infinite one-offs and mini "reunion" tours?). It hits Rams Head Live in Baltimore on Saturday night. $35; $30 in advance. All ages. Doors at 8 p.m. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl., Baltimore. 202-397-7328.

Northern Virginia

Today

CONCERT: Joe Ely The Texas guitarist is a honky-tonk stalwart (he has a career that goes back, oh, about 40 years). His show tonight at the Birchmere is guaranteed to get the weekend party started. $25. 7:30 p.m. Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328.

Tomorrow

ON STAGE: Nick Thune -- and That Special Guest, Craig Ferguson So, you can go to the Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse to catch funny young L.A. comic Thune, who has been on Leno and has a Comedy Central Web series called "iThunes." He is, we cannot help but note, kind of very cute. And if all that is not reason enough, the Drafthouse has snared the "Late Late Show" host Craig Ferguson to do a mini-set during both shows (he, of course, is in town for White House Correspondents' Association dinner-hosting duties Saturday night). $20. 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. (Doors at 6:15 and 9:15.) Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. 703-486-2345.

THE SCENE: Eat Your Art Out The Torpedo Factory Art Center's galleries and studios stay open late tonight for this spring open house that features live music, a drawing with prizes (including a dinner at Restaurant Eve, a spa treatment and cooking class) and lots of munchies. The event is also a food drive, so bring a canned item. Free. 6-9 p.m. Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. 703-298-3235.

Saturday

ON STAGE: Speaking of Big-Time Guests . . . Broadway's Stephen Schwartz Schwartz, the Broadway composer and lyricist, wrote the music for the huge hit "Wicked," among other productions. And Saturday, he will visit MetroStage for its matinee showing of "The Stephen Schwartz Project," the critically well-received revue/homage to . . . well, him. Afterward he'll stick around for a talk-back with the audience, moderated by WaPo critic Nelson Pressley. Fans of "Wicked": This show's for you. $38. Saturday at 3 p.m. MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria. 800-494-8497.