New and Noteworthy: Theater

Animal Farm (Luna Theater Company) George Orwell's totalitarian-barnyard classic, with an all-female cast. Previews Thursday and Friday, opens Saturday.

Antigone (Wilma Theater) Director Theodoros Terzopoulos brings big movement and big voices to Sophocles' tragedy. Previews Wednesday-Oct. 13, opens Oct. 14.

Auctioning the Ainsleys (People's Light) A longtime family of auctioneers finds itself at the other end of the process. Previews Wednesday-Friday, opens Saturday.

The Handmaid's Tale (Curio Theatre Company) One woman's life of subjugation in a Christian theocracy, adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel. Previews Wednesday-Oct. 22, opens Oct. 23.

Juno and the Paycock (Irish Heritage Theatre) The second of Sean O'Casey's "Dublin Trilogy," it's a tale of failing working-class life during the Irish Civil War. Preview Thursday, opens Friday.

Lafferty's Wake (Society Hill Playhouse) Charlie Lafferty's (still) dead, and you're invited to join the memorializing, storytelling, singing, and imbibing at his favorite pub. Preview Thursday, opens Friday.

The Mandrake (Quintessence Theatre Group) Callimaco desires Lucrezia, wife of old Nicia, who wants an heir but is getting nowhere. A magical mandrake is key to Machiavelli's comedy. Previews Wednesday-Friday, opens Saturday.

The Taming of the Shrew (Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre) Waspish Katherina and conniving Petruchio - can this marriage be saved? Previews Wednesday and Thursday, opens Friday.

Reviewed by Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

According to Goldman (Act II Playhouse). A former screenwriter itches to re-up in this funny/sinister Bruce Graham play starring Tony Braithwaite. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

Baby Doll (McCarter Theatre). This adaptation of Tennessee Williams' steamy 1950s film, set in the Mississippi Delta, really sizzles. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Bullshot Crummond (Hedgerow Theatre). WWI ace Capt. Hugh "Bullshot" Crummond undoes dastardly deeds and foils sinister plots. Ends Sunday.

Bus Stop (Bristol Riverside) A schizophrenic production of Inge's play. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

The Children's Hour (EgoPo) Lillian Hellman's story of two women destroyed by a vindictive child resonates. Through Oct. 25.

Disgraced (Philadelphia Theatre Company) A dinner party erupts over identity politics in Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer-winning play. Through Nov. 8.

Gypsy (Media Theatre) Gypsy turns 60 soon, but this electrifying production proves that the old girl hasn't aged a bit. Through Nov. 1. - J.R.

High Society (Walnut Street Theatre). It's The Philadelphia Story, enhanced by a dandy Cole Porter score. A river of champagne flows through this bubbly, joyful production. Through Oct. 25. - J.R.

Holden (FringeArts) J.D. Salinger and Holden Caulfield haunt three murderous superfans in this devised tragicomedy. Through Oct. 17.

Hooked! (Inis Nua) A quiet Irish village proves not to be the refuge Dubliner Lydia hoped for. Through Oct. 25.

Menopause the Musical (Penn's Landing Playhouse) To classic tunes from the '60s and '70s, four women of a certain age bond over the one thing they share. Through Nov. 22.

Metamorphoses (Arden Theatre) Dazzling stagecraft (a pool!), a charming (often wet) cast, and knockout costumes all enhance this magical production of Ovid's mythical retellings. Through Nov. 1. - T.Z.

Phantom (Broadway Theatre of Pitman). A disfigured musical genius obsesses over the beautiful soprano Christine in this musical by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit. Ends Sunday.

Photograph 51 (Lantern Theater). It's 1953, and Rosalind Franklin is the only woman in the hunt to unlock the mysteries of DNA. A fascinating subject but the science is neglected in favor of biodrama. Extended through next Sunday. - T.Z.

Romeo and Juliet (Quintessence) A tremendous cast yields one vigorous, buoyant scene after the next, even if they appear like pearls on a tangled string, connected by the text if not always the production. Through Nov. 7. - J.R.

Shipwrecked (Walnut on 3) The subtitle - "The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)" - says it all. Through Nov. 1.