Comedian Paula Poundstone will appear at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Saturday at 8 p.m. Her ability to create humor on the spot and to improvise with a crowd is legendary. Tickets: $38.50 - $20. The Count Basie is located at 99 Monmouth St. Tickets can be reserved by calling (732) 842-9000 or at www.countbasietheatre.org.

Students from area high schools will join the Monmouth Civic Chorus in "Sounds Like Shakespeare Act II" Saturday at 8 p.m.

A sequel to the group's successful Shakespeare concert of June 2006, the evening celebrates the Bard in music from Broadway to jazz. The concert features a solo selection by Kerilyn Acer, First Place winner of the 2007 Monmouth Civic Chorus Scholarship Award. Dramatic readings will be performed by Katie Kroeper and Kenneth Wasser. The performance is at the Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. Tickets are $25, $22 seniors, $5 students. Call (732) 933-9333 for tickets or order online at www.monmouthcivicchorus.org. Tickets also available at the door.

Soar Productions will hold auditions for "Let's Get Rid of Grandma," a comedy by Dennis Driscoll on Saturday, 2 - 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 10, 6 - 8 p.m. or by appointment. A cast of women and men, ages 30s-50s, and boys and girls ages 8-14 is needed. Performances are in July. Auditions will be held at 1110 Union Ave., Union Beach. For information, call Mary or Moe at (732) 471-8268 or visit www.soarproductions.org.

Over the Rainbow Productions is presenting Beth Henley's "Crimes of the Heart," a tale of sisterly love and jealousy. Enter the absurd world of the McGrath sisters, where tragedy befalls these good but wacky people caught up in the disappointment of their personal lives. The comedy opens Friday and runs every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through June 30 at the theater, located at 3713 Route 35 north in Eatontown.Tickets are $22, $17 for seniors and students. For information and reservations, call (732) 888-0339 or visit www.overtherainbowproductions.net.

The English Music Hall tradition will be revived by the English-Speaking Union Monmouth County branch on June 10, 5-8 p.m., at historic Bingham Hall in Rumson. The event will involve turn-of-the-century British music hall songs and recitations, humorous patter songs, sentimental ballads and sing-alongs. The $50 admission includes wine and song and dinner. Attire style is optional. For more information, visit www.esumcnj.org or contact Shirley Adler at (732) 842-7394; Roberta Van Anda (732) 842-4562, or Richard Biernacki (732) 787-2217, or visit www.englishspeaking union.org.

First Avenue Playhouse will hold auditions for its August production of Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound" Monday, June 11, and Tuesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at the playhouse, 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands. Four men and two women ranging in age from 20 to 70-plus are needed. All roles are open, and scenes will be provided to auditioners. For more information, call (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse.com

Monday Night Movies is back at the Jewish Community Center in Deal. Screenings are held in the Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., at 7:30 p.m.; tickets $5.

"Bee Season" will be shown June 11. The movie is about 11-year-old Eliza Naumann, who comes from an odd family. As Eliza moves closer and closer to the national spelling bee, the family finds itself in a spiral of surprising discovery and jarring uncertainty. For more information, call Lori Schneider at (732) 531-9100, ext. 122.

Red Bank-based Phoenix Productions will present "High School Musical" June 15-17 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Popular athlete Troy and brainy and beautiful Gabriella break all the rules of high school society when they secretly audition for the school's musical. Featuring all the music, dancing, and drama from the Disney movie, plus two brand-new songs. Performances are Friday, June 15, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 16, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 17, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $29 - $22. For tickets, call (732) 842-9000.

Rock'n Music Academy, Middletown, held a statewide songwriting competition to find the best up-and-coming songwriters in New Jersey. Moss Robeson, 11, of Tinton Falls and a student at the academy, took first place in the state for his song "A Man in War" and received a $100 gift certificate to Guitar Center. For more information, visit www.RocknMusicAcademy.com.