PICK OF THE WEEK: A CHILD LEFT BEHIND

Alan Aymie takes aim at the Los Angeles Unified School District and the L.A.Times in his solo show A Child Left Behind, about his time spent as a teacher in a low-performing school.

Laid off from teaching for a second time last year and given a "below average" ranking in the Times' database of value-added teacher ratings, which are based on student progress on standardized tests, Aymie picked up a pen instead of a picket sign. The resultant narrative is a Sisyphean struggle to teach poverty-stricken students amidst dwindling budgets and out-of-touch administrators. Compounding Aymie's frustrations over missed connections with kids is his son's diagnosis with Asperger's syndrome. The script balances social and personal commentary successfully, and Aymie's energetic charm allows us easy access to his outrage. Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; through May 26. (702) 582-8587. ktctickets.com,bhplayhouse.com (Amy Lyons)