This Week in Theatre: Going, Going, Gone.

The holidays are a busy time for theatre in Austin, with too many seasonal shows to choose from. As the glut looms, several fine shows are closing. Get to these while the gettin's good!

Much-lauded director Karen Jambon helms Loaded Gun Theory's Little Murders. You can't judge a show by its artwork, but we think theirs is the best we've seen all year. This dark comedy about an overbearing daughter—played by the always-delightful Julie Winston-Thomas—and her nihilist boyfriend has clever twists and turns aplenty. Those kinds of plays are always fun. Final shows: We/Th/Fr/Sa, 8pm, Arts on Real.

Zell Miller III brings a new installation of his Hip-hop Theater Explosion to the Vortex. When we chatted with Miller about the Explosion in July, he said the performers "have that ability to blow the roof off any venue they enter. [Hip-hop is] funny, daring, tragic, energetic and beautiful." Expect more of the same—and another sell out—with this weekend-only run: Th/Fr/Sa/Su, 8pm, The Vortex.

We'll readily admit we're partial to Salvage Vanguard's work, but that's only because it's consistently outstanding. No doubt Voices Underwater, closing this weekend, is no exception. And in a true showing of no hard feelings, the small cast includes Austin Chronicle critic Hannah Kenah, who wrote a stinging review last October of Jenny Larson's SVT directorial debut, Thrush. Kenah is an actress in her own right, and word is the entire cast shines in this thought-provoking ghost story. Three shows remain: Th/Fr/Sa, 8pm, Salvage Vanguard Theater.

For more theatre listings, see this week's Ist List.