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BEST BET: High drama will descend on David W. Miller Park in East Stroudsburg when Pocono Shakes! delivers free performances of Shakespeare’s Macbeth through Sept. 25. Follow the tale of the power-obsessed Scottish king and his hand-wringing wife as they commit a series of murders to get and keep the throne. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket. 917-447-9638.

THIS WEEK: SEPT. 9 to 15, 2011

The Guys, a two-character drama by Anne Nelson about a fire captain and a writer attempting to celebrate the lives of the 343 New York City firemen who died on Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. Performed by Laurie McCants and Gerald Stropnicky of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. $12. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Into the Woods, the Stephen Sondheim musical that revisits classic fairy tales Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood and instills them with new plot twists, taking a look at what happens after “happily ever after.” Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Opens Saturday and continues through Sept. 18: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $18. 823-1875.

Prisoner of Second Avenue, Neil Simon’s serio-comedy about life on New York’s upper East Side during a record heat wave and a garbage strike – leading one middle-age unemployed resident to have a nervous breakdown. Grove Theatre, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. 868-3582.

Butterfly’s Love, a traditional Chinese opera regarded as the Chinese equivalent of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” performed by the award-winning Shanghai Yue Opera in Chinese with English subtitles. Sette LaVerghetta Center, Marywood University, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Free. 348-6211.

Henry VIII, Shakespeare’s popular history play filmed live at the Globe Theatre in London, shown in high-definition with surround sound. Included: a historical perspective on the theater and behind-the-scenes interviews with the actors. Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Thursday at 6:30 p.m. $14. 961-5943.

The Ladies of the Camellias. In 1897 Paris, famed actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse are scheduled to perform at the same theater the same week. But both performances are disrupted when a Russian anarchist appears on the scene. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Opens Thursday and continues through Sept. 25: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

Beneath the Hush, A Whisper, a play by Abigail Somma, a 1993 graduate of Bishop Hoban High School and former resident of Kingston and Bear Creek. The play centers on a British diplomat in the 1950s who is assigned to work with United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold on a project that will change the course of history. WorkShop Theater Company, 312 W. 36th St., New York City. Opens Thursday and continues through Oct. 8: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $18, $15 students and seniors. 212-695-4173.

FUTURE

A Bag Full of Fables, an outdoor performance by the Back Mountain youth theater group Take the Stage. Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas. Sept. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. $5, $3 children. 675-1182.

Clever Dick, a satire of Agatha Christie mysteries about a Scotland Yard detective investigating the murder of a distinguished gentleman. Ritz Company Playhouse, 512 Keystone St., Hawley. Sept. 16-17, 23-24, 30 and Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. $12, $10 seniors and students. 226-9725.

Dyonisia ’11, nine new short plays by local playwrights set at The Providence Arms, a fictional boarding house in Scranton, with each set at different times in history. Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market St., Scranton. Sept. 22 to 24 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. $10. 344-3656.

Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical, a comic look at the conditions affecting mid-lifers from reading glasses to weekend warriors. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Sept. 23 to Oct. 2: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. 283-2195.

Wait Until Dark, Frederick Knott’s suspenseful thriller about a blind woman threatened by a trio of thugs who believe she has their heroin-stuffed doll. Presented by the University of Scranton Players at the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, Monroe Avenue between Linden and Mulberry streets, Scranton. Sept. 23 to Oct. 2: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $6. 941-4318.

Post Mortem, a clever thriller about an actor having a cast party at his Gothic mansion only to discover that someone is trying to murder him. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Sept. 23 to Oct. 23 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. $18. 421-5093.

An Evening with Mark Twain. Revisit the world of the famous American writer with dramatist Kurt H. Sutton portraying Huckleberry Finn, Ol’ Pap, prissy Miss Watson and runaway slave Old Jim. Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe. Sept. 23 at 8:30 p.m. $23. 325-0249.

Menopause: The Musical, Jeanie Linders’ comedy about four women joining together to celebrate the hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings and chocolate binges that accompany The Change. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Sept. 26-27 at 7:30 p.m. $46, $29. 342-7784.

Doubt, A Parable, John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a Catholic-school nun who confronts the parish priest about his relationship with a young student. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Sept. 29 to Oct. 16: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $25, $20 seniors, $12 students. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Almost, Maine, an unapologetically romantic fable that explores the joys and perils of love through a collection of two-character vignettes. Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. $15, $5 students and seniors. 408-4540.

The Merry Wives of Windsor. Sir John Falstaff, tavern bad boy and knight of misrule in Shakespeare’s history plays, meets his match when he tries to scam the housewives of suburban Windsor. King’s College Theater, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Oct. 5 to 8 at 7:30 p.m. 208-5825.

Taylor 2, the modern-dance company established by Paul Taylor. Sponsored by Community Concerts at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton. Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. 955-1455.

The Best of the Best, an evening of short plays by local playwrights including Tom Flannery, Jack McGuigan and K.K. Gordon. Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market St., Scranton. Oct. 13-15 and 21-22 at 8 p.m. 344-3656.

Monty Python’s Spamalot, the smash Broadway show based on the British troupe’s film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Oct. 15 at 3 and 8 p.m. 826-1100.

Haunted Illusions. Celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of magical tricks, unforgettable treats, dazzling spells, uproarious comedy and audience participation. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. 826-1100.

Hay Fever, the Noel Coward comedy about the eccentric, self-centered Bliss Family, set in an English country house in the 1920s. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Oct. 27 to Nov. 6: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

Hallowed Wedding, a Brydie Jacques Production about an average couple ending up at a castle with Dracula, Frankenstein and his bride. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Oct. 28-29, 31 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. $18. 421-5093.

Forbidden Broadway! A satirical roast of 30 Broadway musicals with song spoofs and parodies of plays from “Annie” to “Phantom of the Opera.” Sponsored by Community Concerts at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton. Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. 955-1455.

PUSH Physical Theatre, a fusion between modern dance and postmodern theater with high-level physical and dramatic performances. Black Box Theater, Slusser/Bayzick Building, Penn State Hazleton. Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Free. 450-3431.

In the Heights, the Tony Award-winning musical set in a vibrant community in Manhattan’s Washington Heights. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 12 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Nov. 13 at 1 and 6 p.m. 342-7784.

The Who’s Tommy, the innovative rock musical about the deaf, dumb and blind pinball wizard. Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 11 to 20: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $15, $5 students and seniors. 408-4540.

A Christmas Story, a staged reading by Phil Grecian. Presented by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Nov. 17-19 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

Home for Christmas, a holiday revue of traditional Christmas favorites. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. With 2 p.m. matinees on Nov. 18-20, 25-27; Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16-18, 21-22; and 8 p.m. shows on Nov. 25-26; Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

Holiday Memories, Truman Capote’s stories of his childhood holidays in the Depression Era Deep South filled with vivid characters and poignant memories. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Nov. 25 to Dec. 23: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. . $25, $20 seniors, $12 students. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, the holiday movie brought to the stage. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Nov. 26 to Dec. 18: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. 283-2195.

The Santaland Diaries, humorist David Sedaris’s hilarious recounting of a holiday season spent working as an elf at Macy’s Department Store. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Moose Exchange, 203 W. Main St., Bloomsburg. Dec. 8 to 11 at 7:30 p.m. $12. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Death of a Salesman, the Arthur Miller drama following the career of salesman Willy Loman. Performed by Gaslight Theatre Company as part of the Community Concerts Series at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton. Jan. 6 to 8. 955-1455.

Shrek: The Musical. Everyone’s favorite ogre takes the stage in a twisted fairy tale about a feisty princess mixed up with the unseemly ogre. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Jan. 20 at 8 p.m.; Jan. 21 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Jan. 22 at 1 and 6 p.m. 342-7784.

Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s story of power, politics and assassination. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Jan. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. $12. 784-8181 or bte.org.

The 39 Steps, a comedy based on the Alfred Hitchcock spy movie with all characters played by four actors. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Feb. 2 to 19: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

La Boheme, Giacomo Puccini’s dark yet romantic tale of doomed lovers living among the artists of Paris. Performed by Teatro Lirico D’Europa. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. 826-1100.

Fiddler on the Roof, the timeless musical about life in a small Jewish village in Russia where Tevye the dairyman lives with his wife and five daughters under Tsarist rule. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. 826-1100.

Little Women, the Broadway musical based on the classic book by Louisa May Alcott, which follows the four March sisters and their beloved “Marmee” during the American Civil War. Dorothy Dixon Darte Center, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 17 to 26: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $15, $5 students and seniors. 408-4540.

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, the full-range of Beatles discography from the early hits to later classics. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 25 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 26 at 1 and 6 p.m. 342-7784.

Proof, David Auburn’s play about fathers and daughters, genius and insanity. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. 826-1100.

Murder at the Howard Johnson’s, a comedy about a couple who check into a cheap hotel to plan the murder of the woman’s unsuspecting husband. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. March 8 to 25: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $25, $20 seniors, $12 students. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Crimes of the Heart, Beth Henley’s comedy-drama about the three Magrath sisters who reunite to help sister Babe stay out of prison. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. March 22 to April 1: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

South Pacific, the sweeping Rodgers and Hammerstein musical romance about two couples whose happiness is threatened by World War II. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. March 23 at 8 p.m.; March 24 at 2 and 8 p.m.; March 25 at 1 and 6 p.m. 342-7784.

In the Next Room, Sarah Ruhl’s comedy about a doctor administering experimental treatments on Victorian women only to discover shocking side effects. Adult subject matter. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. May 3 to 20: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $25, $20 seniors, $12 students. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Women Show, the Emmy Award-winning comedian and cast member of “The Carol Burnett Show” with her new touring production. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. May 4 at 8 p.m. 826-1100.

’Night Mother, about a young woman who nonchalantly tells her mother she plans to commit suicide that night. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. May 10 to 20: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

Young Frankenstein, the Broadway musical based on the classic Mel Brooks movie that reimagines the classic Frankenstein tale. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 15 at 8 p.m.; May 16 at 2 and 8 p.m.; May 17 at 1 and 6 p.m. 342-7784.

AUDITIONS

Auditions for “Queen of Bingo,” a production by Applause Theatre Company. Char & Co., 234 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston. Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Irish accent a plus for a male role. 313-2548.