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Fighting that Cyclops! Escaping from those Sirens! Austin's own Ann Ciccolella has written a new adaptation of Homer's epic tale, presented here with Sam Grimes as Odysseus, Nancy Eyermann as Penelope, Justin Scalise as Zeus, Regan Goins as Athena, Ethan Santo as Telemachus, and Taylor Flanagan as Calypso. Ευχαριστώ πολύ!

In this all-indigenous production – written by Maria Rocha: and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and directed by Rudy Ramirez for Teatro Vivo – 13-year-old María is sent to stay with her Coahuiltecan grandmother in distant Laredo for discipline and perspective. There, María is told an ancient story of young Yana Wana, who followed a revered deer to find water to save her people.

Check it: "Shakespeare's Ophelia rises up out of the water, dreaming of Pop-Tarts and other sweet things. She finds herself in a neo-Elizabethan Appalachian setting where Gertrude runs a brothel, Hamlet is called a Rude Boy, and nothing is what it seems. In this mirrored world of word-scraps and cold sex, Ophelia cuts a new path for herself." This Caridad Svich play is directed by Jess Shoemaker.

Imagine a dystopia in which women suffer endless harassment, and right-wing politics wrenches away women's control over their own bodies; in response, American women heed the call of Dionysus, and flee to new, strange, euphoric rites in Iraq, the cradle of civilization, and … you won't believe what happens next in this radical re-writing of The Bacchae from acclaimed poet and combat veteran Jenny Pacanowksi. Produced as part of this year's Austin Veterans Arts Festival, this is a collaboration between military veterans and their families, an Iraqi composer, a diverse cast, and an all-Austin community chorus. Directed by Karen Alvarado and J.M. Meyer for Thinkery & Verse and Canopy Theatre. And, look, here's our review of the show.

This new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale is a sensual fantasy with a surprising twist: a bold heroine who dares to defy the ruler of the night. "Seductive, romantic, and empowering, this foray to the dark side is a juicy date-night," we're advised – and that seems, yup, just about right. Written and directed by Steven Dietz for Zach Theatre, with a kickass cast featuring Sarah Kimberly Becker as Mina Harker and Keith Contreras-McDonald as the titular bloodsucker.

Penfold Theatre brings a bounty of ghostly elegance to your Halloweening season, as Liz Fisher directs Dave Malloy's happily haunted musical about love, death, and whisky. Listen in as four friends drink and spin yarns about two fairy-tale sisters, a tree house astronomer and a lazy evil bear, a subway tragedy, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk, the disparate narrative threads interweaving into a centuries-long tale of encounters with the otherworldly. (Note: The final two performances will be at the Driskill Hotel, with pre-show entertainment beginning at 7:30pm. Oct. 31: Ghost stories told by paranormal expert Nathan Jerkins. Nov. 1: Round Rock Ballet Folklórico share traditional Día de los Muertos dances and discuss the importance of the holiday.) Also? Our reviewer? Was rather blown away.

This new play by debbie tucker green is the inaugural production for Horizon Line Theatre. Directed by Chuck Ney, it's a provocative and darkly humorous show that focuses on the aftermath of one woman’s violent attack and how it has destroyed her life and her family, and it stars Nadine Mozon, Barbara Chisholm, and (yes, Chronicle Arts Editor) Robert Faires.

Broadway In Austin brings us the 50th anniversary tour of this award-winning Andrew-Lloyd-Weber-and-Tim-Rice phenomenon that highlights the extraordinary events in the final weeks of the life of a certain mythic Nazarene. Note: Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's classic musical about an insatiable man-eating plant is staged for TexARTS' professional series, with a fine cast cavorting with the pithy and puppeted carnivore, the whole spectacle under the direction of Val Williams.

Beth Burns and her Hidden Room cohort – Ryan Crowder, Liz Beckham, Brock England, Judd Farris, Valoneecia Tolbert, Robert Matney, and other fierce talents – return with John Webster’s true-crime masterpiece of power, corruption, fate, and forbidden love, doing this classic revenge tragedy up right with period playing practices, live music, 1614-style garments, and proper makeup techniques. Note: After its Austin run, Hidden Room will take the show to Shakespeare’s Globe Wanamaker Playhouse in London. And here's our full review of the show!