Theater fans rejoice — area actors will be bringing new comedies and classic favorites to regional stages starting next week. Here’s sampling of what’s coming up in the tri-county area: 

Max, played by Mike Shoeman, and Becky Shaw,
played by Kate Nice in "Becky Shaw."

BECKY SHAW
POTTSTOWN — Steel River Playhouse is serving up a fast-paced and funny comedy, “Becky Shaw,” with its contemporary look at dating, marriage and relationships by Obie Award-winning playwright Gina Gionfriddo.

The play focuses on quirly, but familiar, characters and their complex interaction. A newly married couple, Susanna and Andrew, set up a blind date for Becky Shaw, one of Andrew’s coworkers with Max, Susanna’s brother. Add Suzanna’s mother to the mix and you have the makings of a comedy with lots of twists and turns.

“Becky Shaw” will be playing in the Newberry Loft at Steel River Playhouse. The intimate theater setting, with actors just a few feet from the audience, is a great match for this intimate comedy of manners. There will be a talkback with the cast and crew on Sunday April 21 when audience members can ask questions and discuss the play. The show runs April 19-28 at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St. in Pottstown

Performances will be Fridays, April 19 and 26, and Saturdays, April 20 and 27, at 8 p.m. and Sundays April 21 and 28 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are Adults -$19; seniors (65+) - $17; and students/children - $15. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.steelriver.org or call 610-970-1199. 

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD

PHOENIXVILLE — Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” is the fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet, as told from the worm’s-eye view of two of the minor characters, the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. As this Shakespearean Laurel and Hardy finally get a chance to take the lead role in the story of their own lives, they do so in a world where reality and illusion intermix, and where fate leads them to the tragic but inevitable conclusion.

Show dates are April 19, 20, 26, 27 and May 2, 3, 4 at 8 p.m. There will also be a performance on April 28 at 2 p.m.

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” is directed by Diana Gagliardi and produced by Renee Schulz. The cast features Meghan Schulz as Rosencrantz, Jason Gagliardi as Guildenstern, Steve Schulz as The Lead Player, Jay Reilly as Hamlet/Tragedian: Melissa Cox as Ophelia/Tragedian, Jim Broyles as Claudius/Tragedian, Catherine Callahan as Gertrude/Tragedian, Leon Oboler as Polonius/Tragedian and Ryan Burgess as Horatio/Tragedian.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations can be made online at www.forgetheatre.org or by calling 610-935-1920. 

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
READING — Reading Community Players brings Joseph Kesserling’s classic farcical black comedy to life with its cast of unforgettable characters, portrayed by some of the area’s best character actors. The two spinster aunts who have perfected their homemade elderberry wine, laced with arsenic, strychnine and “just a pinch” of cyanide have been favorites with audiences sinc the paly was writtten in 1939. The show will play at the Reading Community Players Theatre, 403 N. 11th St, near Buttonwood in Reading. Show dates are April 19, 20, 21 and 26, 27 & 28. Fridays and Saturdays curtain is at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Free shuttle service is available from the Citadel parking lot on 12th Street between Walnut and Elm streets. Ticket prices are $8 for students, $10 for seniors and $15. Tickets are available by credit card on the website, www.readingcommunityplayers.com or call 610-375-9106. 

CLOSER
READING — Genesius Theatre presents “Closer” for one weekend only at the theater at 153 N. 10th St. (10th and Walnut streets) in Reading. Patrick Marber’s “Closer” is story of love, sex, betrayal, trust, and telling the truth ... no matter the cost. You may remember it from the 2004 movie of the same name starring Clive Oven, Julia Roberts, Jude Law and Natalie Portman. Performances are Friday April 19 and2 Satirday April 20 AT 8 p.m.. and Sunday April 21 at 2 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 610-371-8151 go to genesiustheatre.org 

THE CEMETERY CLUB
SKIPPACK — Playcrafters of Skippack IS bringing Ivan Menchell’s “The Cemetery Club” to the stage at The Barn, 2011 Store Road,Skippack. The play centers around three recently widowed Jewish women in their mid-to-late 50s who gather once a month for tea before

setting out to visit their husbands’ graves.

Show dates are April 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 at 8 p.m. and April 28 at 3 p.m.; and May 2, 3, 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more inforamiotn, call 610-584-4005 or visit www.playcrafters.org.