As the calendar page flips to August this week, organizers at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore have their eye on the second half of the month and a trio of performances that seek to entertain and enlighten local audiences.

Comedian Rita Rudner, known for her long-running show based in Las Vegas, will make her return to Livermore on Aug. 20 for an evening performance that is already almost sold out.

"Rudner delivers her stand-up with a wide-eyed sweetness -- and in a sequined gown -- that belies the acid observations this award-winning comedian is best known for," Livermore Valley Arts reps said. "This seasoned comedian knows how to find the humor in the every day and then turn it all on its head."

One day later, Lamplighters Music Theatre will be back at the Bankhead after a three-year hiatus to perform "Iolanthe" as part of their touring production of the Gilbert & Sullivan's favorite.

"This iconic songwriting duo's subversive political satire on how a government should be run is full of comedy with a capital C," according to LVA officials.

Then, for the final Saturday of the month, San Francisco-based Nava Dance Theatre and Rupy C. Tut will bring their production of "Broken Seeds Still Grow" to Livermore. LVA officials describe the Aug. 27 performance as "a moving, multi-disciplinary dance and visual art production exploring the continuing impact of the 1947 British India Partition."

"This creative inquiry sources poetry, eyewitness accounts, and current events to understand the current political climate while reflecting on what it means to belong somewhere," they said. "Partition was one of the most formative events in South Asia's recent history, creating over 15 million refugees and leaving over one million people dead."

Rupy C. Tut will also be holding an art exhibition at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery in the Bankhead to accompany the stage performance.

"Broken Seeds Still Grow" is underwritten by LVA's Kenison Producer's Fund, which supports "Bankhead Presents" program performances "that are artistically significant and adventurous while allowing ticket costs to remain low," organizers said.

For tickets and other information, visit livermorearts.org.