THE LITTLE GUY: Amphibian Stage Productions’ current show – The Understudy – highlights the actor in a play that, if everything is going right, you never see. And it proves to be a sharp look at the world of acting for Punch Shaw. “The writing, by Theresa Rebeck, is excellent. The dialogue is superbly suited to the moment, shifting from disarming naturalism to comic artificiality in the span of a heartbeat. The characters are vividly drawn and grow more interesting with every scene,” he writes on dfw.com. “Amphibian Stage Productions makes this world a fun, enlightening place to spend some time,” is how Lauren Smart sums it up on theaterjones.com. Check it out through Aug. 5.

LOOKING AT LUCIAN: Have you made it out to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth yet for “Lucian Freud: Portraits”? If not, it’s worth a few minutes to check out Art This Week’s tour of the exhibition with the museum’s Michael Auping, who helped organize it. And if you have already gone, feel free to watch and revist your favorite works.

ALIES IN THE AISLE: I’ve been to the Winspear countless times by now, but each time I’m impressed by how personable and helpful the ushers are. They’re often the first encouter you have within the venue and they set the tone for the night. But they do a lot more than just show you to your seat. The Cleveland Plain Dealer spoke with ushers for the Cleveland Symphony, who told stories about everything from dealing with box crashers to evacuating the hall during an earthquake. Next time you see these folks before a performance, thank them.