Between the Generations

Power finally unites both Charity and Li'l Bit. Charity has the choice to either turn bitter and cold or continue to look for love; Li'l Bit has the choice to forgive Peck-and herself-or continue to live in shame as a victim. Both plays end on the upswing: Charity awakens in Central Park to a bunch of flower children reciting one word: "Love." Meanwhile, the grown-up Li'l Bit drives a dark country road, smiles, floors the accelerator, and roars off into a night bursting with stars. Where either life ends is unknowable, but it's obvious that both are doing the only thing any of us can do in a world of fractured hearts and failing dreams: keep believing and keep moving.

Sweet Charity at the Sledgehammer Theatre, 1620 6th Ave., San Diego, (619) 544-1484. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; Nov. 29, 2 p.m. Through Nov. 29. $15-$18; students, $10;How I Learned to Drive at San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, (619) 231-3586. Tues., 7 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Through Nov. 29. $21-$32.