The Deep Blue Sea

Playwright Terence Rattigan drew inspiration for his 1952 drama from his failed secret relationship with a former male lover, but (at least as he explained it) the times required that he encode the plot as a more socially acceptable story of a heterosexual affair — or, more exactly, as the aftermath of that relationship. This is a bleak and devastating play, but it crafts a sharp portrait of romantic loss and need. Helen McCrory received widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Hester Collyer, the woman at the center of things, in this production from the Lyttelton Theatre in London. (Margaret Sullavan created the role in 1952; you may have seen the movie versions with Vivien Leigh, from 1955, and with Rachel Weisz, in 2011.) The Lyttelton’s production will be broadcast as part of the National Theatre Live in HD incentive, beaming in to the Lensic Performing Arts Center (211 W. San Francisco St.) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Tickets ($22) can be had through www.ticketssantafe.org, 505-988-1234. — James M. Keller La Santa Cecilia, named for the patron saint of music, combines Latin rock, punk, and American indie influences in a border-busting modern style that earned them a Grammy Award for their 2013 major-label debut,

(Universal). The recording featured the song “Ice El Hielo,” a Spanish-language homage to people on the run from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, — better known as ICE — the video for which went viral and catapulted the band into the spotlight as spokespeople for immigration reform. All members come from immigrant families and got their start playing on Los Angeles street corners; they joined forces in 2007. La Santa Cecilia plays at the Eldorado Hotel Ballroom (309 W. San Francisco St.) at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, as part of the La Cosecha Dual Language Conference. Tickets are $22 in advance, $27 at the door, and are available through www.holdmyticket.com or by calling 505-886-1251. All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund for Dual Language Education of New Mexico. — Jennifer Levin Jazz guitarist Joshua Breakstone brings his cello quartet to Santa Fe on Friday, Nov. 11. The combo features bassist Mike Richmond, a veteran of work with Miles Davis and Stan Getz, playing cello; Chris Conner on bass; and John Trentacosta on drums. Breakstone has recorded more than a dozen albums as a leader, including the last two with the cello quartet. Improvisation is key for the New York post-bop guitarist, who has been playing Santa Fe for years. “It’s the ultimate challenge in jazz, to be able to improvise over any kind of harmonic terrain and invent new melodies,” he told in 2000. “To me the playing of the melody and the expression of a song are paramount, but when you get into the improv, hopefully you can say something unique and in your own way.” The concert at the Museum Hill Café, 710 Camino Lejo, begins at 7 p.m. Call 505-983-6820 for reservations; tickets are $25 ($20 for members of the sponsoring Santa Fe Music Collective). — Paul Weideman