Brother of Sleep (1996) A brilliant composer's obsession with music wrecks his life. Mich 7 p.m.
Ransom (1996) Mel Gibson stars as a father whose son is kidnapped in this Ron Howard film. Nat Sci 8 p.m. Free advance screening.
Small Faces (1995) Three brothers' pranks lead to gang warfare in 1968 Scotland. Mich 9:40.
The Sandbox & The Poet and the Rent Double bill of an Edward Albee and a David Mamet play should make this evening interesting. Arena Theater (basement of Frieze Bldg). 7 p.m. Free. 764-5350.
King Lear This year's show tackles Shakespeare's classic. Lydia Mendelssohn Theater, in the Michigan League. $5, $7. 7 p.m. 764-0450.
Apartment 3A Due to monster ticket sales, this original work by Jeff Daniels will play well into December. Purple Rose Theater Co, Garage Theater, 137 Park St., Chelsea. $10 to $20. 8 p.m. 475-7902.
Nicholas Delbanco Author of more than 20 books and University professor, Delbanco reads from his latest, "Talking Horse: Bernard Malamud on Life and Work." Borders. 7:30 p.m. Free.
The Profound Desire of the Gods (1968) This film follows a Japanese engineer's discovery on the island Kuragejima. Nat Sci 7 p.m. Free.
All Men Are Brothers: Blood of the Leopard (1993) Two friends find trouble when one of them is framed for murder. Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. Aud A 8 p.m. Free.
Les Arts Florissants Vocal/instrumental ensemble dedicated to researching 17th- and 18th-century chamber music, and interpreting operas. 8 p.m. Hill Auditorium. $20-$32 in advance. 764-2538.
Moe Funk-inflected hippie vibes from New York ensemble. Also with September 67. At the Blind Pig. 9:30 p.m. $8 at the door or $6 in advance at Schoolkids'. (810) 645-6666.
The Roots At St. Andrews with special guest Jeru the Damaja. An all-ages show. Doors at 6 p.m. (810) 645-6666.
King Lear See Thursday. 7 p.m.
The Couch Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud's famous conflict set to a romantic comedy. Performance Network, 408 W. Washington St. $9, $12, (Thursday pay-what-you-can). 8 p.m. 663-0681.
Apartment 3A See Thursday. 8 p.m.
Creative Arts Performance A new group of students writers, directors and actors perform "Six Scenes in Search of the Muse." U-Club, Union. 8 p.m. 763-3281.
Mona Simpson One of "Granta's Top Young Novelists," Simpson reads from "A Regular Guy." Shaman Drum. 8 p.m. Free.
The Battleship Potemkin (1925) This film is the epic story of sailors on a Czarist ship who commit mutiny in Russia. Nat Sci 7 p.m.
Ivan the Terrible, Part One (1944) Nikolai Cherkassov stars as Ivan in this film about the Czar's quest to free the Russian empire from Eastern domination. Nat Sci 8:15 p.m.
Ivan the Terrible, Part Two (1944) The story continues, in this second part of Einstein's unfinished trilogy. Nat Sci 10 p.m.
Drivetrain with Small Change and M.K.R. 313 Records benefit concert at the Blind Pig. $5. 9:30 p.m.
Motorhead At Harpo's. (810) 645-6666.
The Sandbox & The Poet and the Rent See Thursday. 7 p.m.
King Lear See Thursday. 7 p.m.
The Couch See Friday. 8 p.m.
Apartment 3A See Thursday. 8 p.m.
Creative Arts Performance See Friday. 8 p.m.