Arts: the week ahead

November 03, 2011

Romance and dance ROMEO AND JULIET Many have choreographed Shakespeares… (Dina Rudick/Globe Staff/file…)

THEATER

OR, Stacy Fischer excels as 17th-century writer Aphra Behn, trying to finish her first play amid constant distractions from King Charles II, the actress Nell Gwynne, and a former colleague from Aphra’s days as a spy. Through Nov. 6. Lyric Stage Company, Boston. 617-585-5678, www.lyricstage.com

THE DIVINE SISTER A wholly enjoyable spoof of nun-centric movies and plays, directed by Larry Coen and starring Jeffery Roberson, a.k.a. Varla Jean Merman, as the imperious but oddly endearing Mother Superior. Through Nov. 19. SpeakEasy Stage Company, Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts. 617-933-8600, www.speakeasystage.com

IN THE RED AND BROWN WATER Under the direction of Megan Sandberg-Zakian, the first installment of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s trilogy (“The Brother/Sister Plays’’) overflows with arresting images and vivid performances, including the luminous Miranda Craigwell as Oya, a young woman searching for her place in the world. Through Dec. 3. Presented by Company One. Plaza Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston. 617-933-8600, www.companyone.org

CLYBOURNE PARK A compelling and well-acted production of Bruce Norris’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which revolves around the racially charged question of who will live in a certain house in a certain Chicago neighborhood during two different - or maybe not so different - periods of history. Through Nov. 20. Trinity Repertory Company, Dowling Theater, Providence. 401-351-4242, www.trinityrep.com

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW When you’re Ryan Landry, nothing succeeds like excess, which makes him just about perfect in the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter, the pansexual transvestite/mad scientist/alien who debauches a pair of young innocents. Friday nights through Dec. 2. Presented by Oberon and the Gold Dust Orphans. At Oberon. 866-811-4111, www.cluboberon.com

DON AUCOIN

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH With a terrific ensemble under the direction of Jane Staab, this musical adaptation of Norton Juster’s book is such a joy to see and hear that the moral embedded in the tale - learning can be an exciting adventure - goes down easily. Through Nov. 20. Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston. 617-879-2300, www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org

PETER PAN The tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up gets a thrilling new production in a 1,300-seat tent, mixing low-tech puppetry with jaw-dropping scenic projections and acrobatic flying effects to tell J.M. Barrie’s classic story in the round. Through Dec. 30. Presented by threesixty°entertainment. City Hall Plaza. 888-772-6849, www.peterpantheshow.com/boston.

TERRY BYRNE

DANCE