God of Carnage (Las Vegas Little Theatre, September 6-22) This modern comedy of manners thrives on subtext as well as some spectacularly physical moments. It’s a tough balance, but if the cast can pull it off, the payoffs are immense.
The Normal Heart (Poor Richard’s Players, Art Square Theatre, September 13–22) Based on the life of its playwright, Larry Kramer, The Normal Heart documents a gay man’s struggle to get the world to act up about AIDS while others would prefer he stay silent. Poor Richard’s will donate $5 from every ticket sold to the Center.
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Onyx Theatre, September 13-28) Ribald, sexy, rockin’ and historic, this cult musical redefines the former president as an emo rock ’n’ roller, making sure his eyeliner is dark, and his legacy’s even darker.
War Horse (Smith Center, October 2-6) Forget the movie, with actual horses. This is a simple tale that achieves its elevated heights thanks to majestic puppet work that hides nothing but makes you believe in it all the same.
Squirrels (Las Vegas Little Theatre, October 25-November 10) This one-act by David Mamet kicks off an unofficial Mamet festival this season, with the LVLT, Cockroach Theatre, Poor Richard’s Players and others all committed to producing a show by America’s most pugilistic playwright.
Line (Nevada Conservatory Theatre & Art Square Theatre, November 8-16) Israel Horovitz’s long-running Off-Broadway play about the eternal struggle in us all to get ahead hits UNLV one weekend and Art Square the next.
