In his solo play, Aaron Braxton marshals his skills as writer, actor, singer and director to relate his experience as a substitute teacher in urban schools. Economically Braxton, who is black, is not that different from his students, but his teacher mother taught him solid middle-class virtues, which prove to be both a blessing and a bane. He learned what he needed to teach, but the values and language of inner-city African-American kids were as foreign to him as to any white teacher. Braxton has to overcome the communications gap and challenge the ingrained notion that a black man who learns to speak and write correctly is just “acting white.” And he must find a way to check disruptive behavior and impose order without seeming like a wuss. Braxton enlivens his tale with an array of funny and touching characters, acted with exuberant affection and veracity. Kiki B. Productions at Theatre Asylum, 1078 Lillian Way, Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 3 p.m.; through Feb. 5. 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com/event/210970.

Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Starts: Jan. 6. Continues through Feb. 5, 2012

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