Sonic Death Monkey

For a generation of obsessive music fans and thwarted monogamists, Nick Hornby’s novel High Fidelity defines the idea of the instant classic. Much of the book’s Talmudic authority remains in the 2000 movie adaptation (need a good song for your funeral? Try “Many Rivers to Cross”), but the film detours into whininess. Not so tonight’s staged reading of the screenplay at the Westport Coffee House (4010 Pennsylvania, 816-756-3222), which director Vi Tran says will restore some elements of the book. Nathan Darrow tries on the John Cusack leading role, and the cast also includes Ron Megee, Kimberely Queen and Corrie Van Ausdal. On music duty: Cody Wyoming and DJ Jamel Rockwell. The crisis of list-making and male identity starts at 7:30 p.m. Jimmy Cliff would approve of your $5 donation for admittance. Watch for a similar reading of The Big Lebwoski in August. See myspace.com/stagedreadings for details.

Mon., July 14, 7:30 p.m., 2008