This Week's Critics' Picks

FRI - STAGE

It's called Miss America, but it ain't no beauty pageant. It's a new play about a group of thirtysomethings touched by the chaos of a WTO- like event, written by promising local talent Josh Beerman. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave., 206-325-6500, www.schmeater.org. Free Thurs., $18 Fri.–Sat. Opens Fri., April 14. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., through May 20. LYNN JACOBSON

TUES - MUSIC

Making good on his vow to take a break from the harpsichord and explore the piano further, former Seattle Baroque co-director Byron Schenkman joins the Daedalus String Quartet for Dvorak's A Major Quintet. (Alone, the Daedalus plays Mendelssohn and Bartok.) Meany Hall, UW campus, 206- 543-4880. $31. 8 p.m. Tues., April 18. GAVIN BORCHERT

WED - COMIC BOOKS

Harvey Pekar chronicles his drop-out youth in The Quitter (Vertigo, $19.99), where his insecurities surprisingly lead to street fighting. Ego & Hubris: The Michael Malice Story (Ballantine, $19.95) creates an arrogant prick who might just be pricked by conscience. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 19. BRIAN MILLER