Next Weekend

* Theater. Melissa Manchester headlines L.A. Theatre Works’ “The Play’s the Thing” radio theater presentation of “I Sent a Letter to My Love.” Manchester scored the musical with book by Jeffrey Sweet. Wednesday through Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. at Doubletree Guest Suites, 1707 4th St., Santa Monica, $24-$27. (310) 827-0889.

* Music. Film and Broadway notable Mandy Patinkin appears in concert in a one-night-only engagement, next Thursday at 8 p.m. at Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, $20-$50. (714) 740-2000; (213) 480-3232.

* Entertainment. Charo, the “Coochie-Coochie Girl,” sings, dances, plays flamenco guitar and does comedy at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Jan. 31, 8 p.m. Also at the Performing Arts Center, Cal State Northridge Student Union, 18111 Nordhoff St., Feb. 1 at 3 and 7 p.m. $30. (818) 785-8885.