God & Politics

The battling brothers in Jobsite Theater's Topdog/Underdog (see Mark Leib's spring arts preview) take a hiatus Monday night as something even fiercer takes the stage: "Political Party: Across the Great Divide," the second in the Planet's live audience talk shows. The topic encompasses two things that should never be discussed in polite company: religion and politics. So expect anything from panelists Joe Redner, Republican political consultant Renee Dabbs, gay rights advocates Rev. Phyllis Hunt and Nadine Smith, and ABC Action News anchor Brendan McLaughlin, as they examine everything from the battle over gay pride to the war on evolutionary theory. The Planet's Political Whore, Wayne Garcia, moderates. Mon., Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m., Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, downtown Tampa, free admission, 813-739-4805.