There are some movie characters that just stick with you. Maybe they go through something you can relate to throughout the course of the film, or have a line that seems to apply directly to your life.

Which makes it a rare treat when a local actor gets to take a crack at a defining character. And that’s what ScreenPLAY, created by Adrian Sorge, has been bringing to the metro area for the past three years.

“We provide the opportunity for actors to play iconic characters, some that they’ve loved for years,” Sorge explained. “Not only are the evenings a chance to have some fun, but they’re a great way to build our artistic community.”

Started out of a desire to create more opportunities for women actors, directors and organizers, ScreenPLAY productions take famous movie scripts and gender-flip them for live, one-night only, readings. All the proceeds from these readings go to creative nonprofits.

At 8 p.m. on Monday, March 19, ScreenPLAY will host a live reading of the cult favorite, “Empire Records.” The reading will benefit Lakewood’s newest theater company, Benchmark Theatre, 1560 Teller St., with a $10 suggested donation at the door.

“This presentation is exciting, because we’re using Benchmark’s players in all the roles for the reading,” Sorge said. “These events are a lot of fun when audiences get into it, and with a movie as quotable as ‘Empire Records,’ it should be a lot of fun.”

The interactive evening promises to be loads of fun for movie lovers, theater lovers, and music fans alike.

“What better way is there to support local actors and have an evening of fun and silliness?” Sorge said. “It’s like seeing your favorite movie live.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/denverscreenplay/.

What if U-God was one of us?

As most of us have known since 1993, “the Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nuthing ta f’ wit.” And one of the key voices in the clan, Lamont “U-God” Hawkins, will be giving bibliophiles and audiophiles a chance to see him do his thing.

First, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16, U-God will be signing his first book, “Raw” at the Tattered Cover’s East Colfax location, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Just a couple hours later, at 9:30 p.m. at Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave., he will be performing as part of his Raw Venom Tour.

U-God’s first-person account of his journey, from the streets of Brooklyn to some of the biggest stages around the world, is a fascinating and inspiring one. Readers will learn how Hawkins was raised in New York City, and came to meet and join the founders of the Wu-Tang — RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, ODB, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, and Masta Killa.

Rap fans shouldn’t miss this rare opportunity to meet a living legend.

For more information on the book signing, visit www.tatteredcover.com/new-event-calendar. And for tickets to his concert, go to www.lost-lake.com/event/1640090-u-god-wu-tang-denver/.

The British (songs) are coming back

Formed in 1982 with “a commitment to build a diverse community and foster acceptance through music,” the 140-member Denver Gay Men’s Chorus has been wowing crowds for 35 years.

This week, the group will be restaging the music of the British Invasion — including bands like The Beatles, The Animals, The Kinks and more.

The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing at 7:30 on Friday, March 16, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street in Denver.

In 2017, Gov. John Hickenlooper declared June 15 through 17, 2017, as Denver Gay Men’s Chorus 35th Anniversary days, commending the chorus for being “a respected leader in the arts community that significantly enriches the cultural life of the city while serving as a messenger of social justice and change.”

For tickets, visit www.axs.com/ and search for the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Menzingers at Summit Music Hall

It’s hard to imagine a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with some beer-sloshingly great rock music.

To get some of that great bar rock that’ll have you shouting along and jumping into friends and strangers alike, The Menzingers at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, at the Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. in Denver, is the best way to go.

The Philadelphia-based Menzingers has been making music for 10 years, when they first got together in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Last year’s album, “After the Party,” was one of the best rock albums of the year, and explored the challenges and joys of leaving one’s 20s behind with a keen eye for storytelling.

The show will also feature Brendan Kelly, Bud Bronson and The Good Timers.

For tickets, head to www.thesummitmusichall.com/.

An ‘Odyssey’ for the new season

The March Equinox (also known as the first day of spring) is traditionally a moment for ancient cultures to celebrate the beginning of a new season with one of the oldest forms of expression — oral storytelling.

The Human, Kind Theater Project will be keeping the tradition alive with its “Odyssey” production, hosted at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20 at the Forum Theater at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St. in Centennial.

The show is a collection of stories from some of Denver’s best artists, providing a peek into the lives of others — all the happiness, sadness, comedy and tragedy that make life worth living. The show features Amelia Watkins, Davis Moline, Jane Hillson Aiello, Rav’n Moon, Robert Ham, and Sebastian Wolfe.

For tickets and more information, visit www.hktheaterproject.com/on-stage.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. A community editor with Colorado Community Media, he can be reached creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com.