ONGOING

Through Oct. 7. Breaking Legs, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St., Westerly. 596-2341; www.granitetheatre.com. Professorial playwright seeks funding for his new play from a former student’s family members who happen to be in the Mafia. Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $18, seniors $15, children $11.

Through Oct. 7. The Elephant Man, Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. 723-4266; www.gammtheatre.org. True story of John Merrick, a man doomed by his grotesquely deformed body who works as a sideshow freak until he is befriended by a famous young surgeon. Thu-Sat 8 pm; Sun 7 pm; Oct. 3 at 7 pm; Sept. 23 and 30 at 2 and 7 pm; Oct. 7 at 2 pm. $20-$34. Beyond Victims and Villains: A Discussion About Disability from the Sideshow, the Stage and the Street Corner, an exploration of past and present portrayals of disability on stage and their impact on society at large, Oct. 5 6:30 pm, followed by an American sign language interpreted performance.

Through Oct. 21. All the King’s Men, Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St., Providence. 351-4242; www.trinityrep.com. A reluctant political insider tells the story of one man’s sensational rise from the farm to the State House. Sept. 20-21, 27-29, Oct. 4-6, 11, 19-20 at 8 pm; Sept. 23, 26, 30, Oct. 3, 7, 14, 21 at 2 and 7 pm; Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9-10 at 7 pm; Oct. 17 at 2 pm. $20-$60.

Through Oct. 21. The Miss Firecracker Contest, Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, 102 Connell Highway, Newport. 848-7529, www.newportplayhouse.com. Hoping to salvage her tarnished reputation, woman wants desperately to win the Fourth of July contest. Fri-Sun doors open 6 pm, buffet 6:15 pm, show starts 8 pm; Wed-Thu, Sun doors open 11 am, buffet 11:30 am, show at 1 pm. Dinner/show $47.95, includes tax and post-show cabaret. Show only $32.95. Reservations strongly recommended.

SEPTEMBER

21-30. Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, (off Broadway), Newport. 849-3473; www.firehousetheater.org. Christopher Durang comedy pits Sister Mary against her former students for an outrageous lesson in laughter, catechism and revenge. Fri-Sat 8 pm ($15), Sat 5 pm ($20, includes The Bit Players show at 9:09 pm.)

21-22. The Freshman Plays, Roger Williams University Theatre Department, Performing Arts Center, 1 Old Ferry Rd., Bristol. 254-3626. 8 pm. $4, students $2.

• The Fifteen-Minute Hamlet. Tom Stoppard’s comedic take on the Shakespeare’s tragedy.

• The Problem. Husband and wife who have abstained from physical relations for years must reveal their secrets to solve their pregnancy mystery in this A.R. Gurney piece.

22. Dead to the Max: Murder on the Santa Fe Trail, Whodunnit Theater, Knights of Columbus Hall, 304 Highland Ave. (Route 123), South Attleboro. (508) 761-8932. Seating 6 pm, show 7 pm. $30 includes show, steak fry, tax, tip.

26-30. You Can’t Take It With You, Rhode Island College Theatre, Rhode Island College’s Forman Theatre. 456-8144. Comedy about a family that has found the secret of living a happy life without succumbing to the criticism of the uptight world around them. Sept. 26-29 at 8 pm; Sept. 29-30 at 2 pm. $14.

28. Charlie Hall’s Ocean State Follies, Chianti’s, 195 Old Forge Rd., East Greenwich. www.oceanstatefollies.com. Satirical musical look at Rhode Island. Arrival 6 pm, dinner 6:30 pm. $40, includes Italian buffet, show, tax, tip. Advance reservations.

28-Oct. 7. The Unexcepted Guest, Assembly Theatre, East Avenue (Route 107), Burrillville (Harrisville). 527-1038; www.tcrionline.com. Agatha Christie who-done-it thriller. Sept. 28-29, Oct. 5-6 at 8 pm; Sept. 30, Oct. 7 at 2 pm. $10.

28-Oct. 28. Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, 2nd Story Theatre, Bristol Statehouse, 240 High St., Bristol. 247-4200; www.2ndstorytheatre.com. Portrait of Oscar Wilde, from celebrated playwright to broken recluse. Cheapskate preview Sept. 28 at 8 pm, $10. Regular run Oct. 4-28, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, $25.

28, Oct. 11, Nov. 2. Mobfellas, KC Productions. 349-4062; www.mobfellas.com. Comedy interactive dinner show about crazy mixed up Italian/Irish crime families. Seating 6:30 pm, show 7 pm.

• Sept. 28. Via Roma, 308 Atwells Ave., Providence. 331-1717. $45, includes dinner, show, tax, gratuity.

• Oct. 11. Restaurant-3, Franklin, Mass. (508) 528-6333.

• Nov. 2. Calabrese Club, 28 Pleasant St., Westerly. 596-9186.

29-30, Oct. 5-6. South Pacific, North End Players, North Providence High School, 1828 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Rodgers and Hammerstein musical love story set against the backdrop of World War II in the Pacific. Sept. 29, Oct. 5-6 at 7:30 pm; Sept. 30 at 6 pm. $14, seniors/children 11 and younger $10. Closes Oct. 6.

OCTOBER

4-Nov. 11. Two Can Play, Providence Black Repertory Company, 276 Westminster St., Providence. 351-0353; www.blackrep.org. Romantic comedy takes a humorous and revealing look at the perils of love, marriage and the American dream. Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. Press opening Oct. 12 at 8 pm. $20, students/seniors $10; Pay-What-You-Can Sunday with talk back after show.

5. Dial M for Matrimony, Kaleidoscope Theatre, Via Roma, 308 Atwells Ave., Providence. 272-0001. 6:30 pm. $40, Italian American Historical Society members $35; includes traditional Italian wedding dinner.

11-21. Stuff Happens, University of Rhode Island Theatre, Route 138, Kingston. 874-5843. David Hare’s controversial history play about the behind-the-scenes political and diplomatic run-up to the Iraqi War. Oct. 11-13, 18-20 at 7:30 pm; Oct. 14, 21 at 3 pm. $14, seniors $10, students $8.

12-21. Cinderella, Encore Repertory Company, Stadium Theatre, Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545; www.stadiumtheatre.com. Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version of the fairy tale. Oct. 12-13, 19-20 at 7 pm; Oct. 14, 21 at 2 pm. $15, $18.

12-28. Greater Tuna, Attleboro Community Theatre, Ezekiel Bates Masonic Lodge, 71 North Main St., Attleboro. (508) 226-8100; www.attleborocommunitytheatre.com. Comedy about the eccentric residents of Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas. Oct. 12-13, 19-21, 26-28. $15, students/seniors $13.

12-Nov. 18. Nunsense II: The Second Coming, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St., Westerly. 596-2341; www.granitetheatre.com. Could easily be sub-titled “The Rest of the Story.” Curtain times vary. $20, seniors $17, children $13.

13-21. True West, The Players, 400 Benefit St., Providence. 273-0590. Sam Shepard’s play is about two brothers, one an ambitious Hollywood screenwriter working on a potential million-dollar deal, and the other, a hobo thief with a six-pack and a case of sibling rivalry. Oct. 13-14, 19-21.

13, Nov. 9. Charlie Hall’s Ocean State Follies, Luigi’s, Hartford Avenue, Johnston. 861-3850; www.oceanstatefollies.com. Satirical musical look at Rhode Island. Advance reservations. Arrival 6:30 pm. $39.95, includes dinner, show, tax, tip.

18-28. City of Angels, Brown University Theatre, Stuart Theatre, 77 Waterman Street, Providence. 863-2838. Film noir musical comedy by Cy Coleman. Oct. 18-20, 25-27 at 8 pm; Oct. 21, 28 at 2 pm.

18-28. Intermittance, The Artists Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475; www.artists-exchange.org. Comedy by Mark Carter. Oct. 18-20, 25-27 at 7 pm; Oct. 21, 28 at 2 pm. $15.

22. The American Dream and the Pursuit of Happiness, Living Literature, Weaver Library, 41 Grove Ave., East Providence. 434-2453. Readers-theater style featuring actors Barry Press, Nehassaiu deGannes and Sharon Carpenter reading excerpts exploring the immigrant’s “pursuit of happiness.” Hear the words of Frank McCourt, Grace Paley, Langston Hughes, Sandra Cisneros, Jhumpa Lahiri and others. 7 pm. Free.

22. A Time of Fire, Providence Black Repertory Company, 276 Westminster St., Providence. 351-0353; www.blackrep.org. By Charles Mulekwa. 7 pm. Part of the First Look Reading Series for New Plays in Development.

25-Nov. 18. Nixon’s Nixon, Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. 723-4266; www.gammtheatre.org. Russell Lees’ political satire about what might have transpired in a meeting between President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on the night before the announcement of Nixon’s resignation.

26-Nov. 4. Noises Off, Providence College, Angell Blackfriars Theatre. 865-2218; www.providence.edu/theatre. Story of neurotic actors as they try fruitlessly to put on a farce. Oct. 26-27, Nov. 2-3 at 8 pm; Oct. 28, Nov. 4 at 2 pm.

26-Nov. 11. Weightless, Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire St., Providence. 331-2695; www.perishable.org. Political satire about the cost of living high above the rest of the world.

26-Dec. 31. Remember Me?, Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, 102 Connell Highway, Newport. 848-7529, www.newportplayhouse.com. Comedy about fantasy, jealousy and what happens when a marriage gets to be where you are just best friends. Fri-Sun doors open 6 pm, buffet 6:15 pm, show starts 8 pm; Wed-Thu, Sun doors open 11 am, buffet 11:30 am, show at 1 pm. Dinner/show $47.95, includes tax and post-show cabaret. Show only $32.95. Reservations strongly recommended.

NOVEMBER

1-17. The Bells, Rhode Island Theatre Ensemble, First Universalist Church, 250 Washington St., Providence. 383-5146; www.ritethetre.org. A 19th-century play by Leopold Lewis about crime and guilt. Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15, students/seniors $12; Artists’ Nite (Thursdays) $10.

2-4. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, North Kingstown Players, North Kingstown High School, 150 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown. 294-3612. Nov. 2-3 at 7:30 pm, Nov. 4 at 2:30 pm. $13 advance, $15 door.

5. Teddy Roosevelt: Mind, Body and Spirit, Weaver Library, 41 Grove Ave., East Providence. 453-1986. Ted Zalewski’s portrayal emphasizes the forces that shaped Roosevelt’s personality and leadership style. 7 pm. Free.

8-18. Melancholy Play, Brown University Theatre, Leeds Theatre, 77 Waterman Street, Providence. All about how a woman’s mood effects those around her. 863-2838. Nov. 8-10, 15-17 at 8 pm; Nov. 11, 18 at 2 pm.

9-18. Into the Woods, Jamestown Community Theater, Jamestown Community Center, 41 Conanicus Ave., Jamestown. 560-0285. Sondheim musical based on fairy tales. Nov. 9-10, 16-17 at 7 pm; Nov. 11, 18 at 5 pm. $12, students/seniors $7 in advance; $15, students/seniors $10 at door.

10-18. The Pirates of Rhode Island, All Children’s Theatre, Met School Theatre, 325 Public St., Providence. 728-1222; www.actinri.org. Pirate adventure with historic and modern-day Rhode Island pirates. Nov. 10, 17 at 7 pm; Nov. 11, 18 at 3 pm.

13-18. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Providence Performing Arts Center. Musical comedy centering around a fictional spelling bee in a geographically ambiguous Putnam County invites audience members to compete in the spelling bee alongside the performers. Tue 7 pm; Wed-Thu 7:30 pm; Fri 8 pm; Sat 2, 8 pm; Sun 1, 6:30 pm. $38-$65.

14. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Rhode Island College, Forman Theatre. Upon arrival at a mental institution, a brash rebel rallies the patients together to take on the oppressive Nurse Ratched, a woman more a dictator than a nurse. Nov. 14-16 at 8 pm; Nov. 17 at 2, 8 pm; Nov. 18 at 2 pm. $14.

15-18. Treasure Island, Swamp Meadow Community Players, Captain Isaac Paine School, Foster Center Road, Foster. 397-4740; www.swampmeadow.org. $10, students/seniors $5. Adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale of treasure and treachery. Nov. 15-16 at 7 pm; Nov. 17 at 1, 7 pm; Nov. 18 at 3 pm.

16-Dec. 2. La Cage Aux Folles, Community Players, Jenks Junior High School, Division Street, Pawtucket. Musical focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his star attraction — and the adventures that ensue when Georges’ son brings home his fiancÉe’s ultra-conservative parents to meet them. Nov. 16-18, 23-25, Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

16-Dec. 16. The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut and The Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree — A Christmas Entertainment, 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. 247-4200; www.2ndstorytheatre.com. Williams Gibson’s humanized version of the Christmas story. Cheapskate previews Nov. 16-17 at 8 pm, $10. Regular run Nov. 23-Dec. 16, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, $25. No show Nov. 22.

16-Dec. 30. A Christmas Carol, Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St., Providence. 351-4242; www.trinityrep.com. Dickens classic about miserly Ebenzer Scrooge. Curtain times vary. $20-$60, children $12.50-$30.

20-25. Disney’s High School Musical, Providence Performing Arts Center. Story of two high school juniors from rival cliques — a popular high school basketball captain and a shy transfer student who excels in math and science — who try out for the lead parts in their high school musical and, as a result, divide the school. Nov. 20 at 7 pm; Nov. 21-22 at 7:30 pm; Nov. 23-24 at 2, 8 pm; Nov. 25 at 1 pm. $28-$65.