New and Noteworthy: Theater

Biloxi Blues (People's Light and Theater Company) When he's drafted, gentle Arnold Epstein faces off with a tough sergeant in this Neil Simon comedy. Previews Wednesday- Friday, opens Saturday.

Brownsville Song (B-Side for Trey) (Philadelphia Theatre Company) Exuberant young Trey, 18 and ready for a better life, won't get it. He's dead. Those who loved him look back. Previews Friday-May 5, opens May 6.

Five Mile Lake (McCarter Theatre) A group of young people make decisions, and deal with decisions made. Previews Friday-May 7, opens May 8.

I Love a Piano (Walnut Street Theatre's Independence Studio) Many of Irving Berlin's best highlight this musical saga of a piano's career. Previews Tuesday, Wednesday, opens Thursday.

Kinky Boots (Forrest Theatre) Who - and what - will save the fading family footwear business? Drag queens! Preview Tuesday, opens Wednesday.

Noises Off (Curio Theatre) Michael Frayn's backstage farce about the misfortunes of a traveling theater troupe. Previews Friday-May 7, opens May 8.

Reviewed by Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), David Patrick Stearns (D.P.S.),and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

And Then There Were None (Walnut Street Theatre) Agatha Christie's old chestnut of a mystery gets a caricature treatment in this production. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Because of Winn-Dixie (Delaware Theatre Company) This new girl-and-her-pet musical doesn't just feature a dog and kids (all terrific), it also does this without succumbing to cuteness. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

The Hairy Ape (EgoPo Classic Theater) Brenda Geffers directs a stunning production of Eugene O'Neill's early exploration of class and alienation. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Hamlet (Wilma Theater) Director Blanka Zizka's stylistic choices - some dazzling, some puzzling - dominate this production, which seems to lack a central concept. Ends Saturday. - T.Z.

Hello Dolly! (Media Theatre) Andrea McArdle has grown from the moppet Annie to the mature meddler Dolly Levi, in this hugely popular '60s musical. Through May 24.

In the Blood (Theatre Horizon) In Suzan-Lori Parks' play, this contemporary Hester and her five children struggle with homelessness. Through May 8.

King Hedley II (South Camden Theatre Company) King Hedley is back in Pittsburgh's Hill District, looking to put prison behind him. Through May 10.

Marry Me a Little (Montgomery Theater) This two-hand compendium of Sondheim songs starts off lively and fades in Act II. But the music is memorable. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre) This delightful production's only flaw: not enough of everything! Through May 17. - J.R.

My Fair Lady (Broadway Theatre of Pitman) Couldn't be loverlier. Through May 17.

Penelope (Inis Nua) In Enda Walsh's reimagining, as Penelope awaits the return of Odysseus, her last, desperate suitors explore their dread in an empty swimming pool. A fine cast does well by a tale that ultimately is too linear to be properly absurd. Ends Sunday. - W.R.

Shadow of a Gunman (Irish Heritage Theater) When Donal Davoren is mistaken for a notorious IRA gunman, he goes along in Sean O'Casey's lament condemning political violence while refusing to glorify its heroes. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

The Taming of the Shrew (Lantern Theater Company) This story of strong-willed Kate being subdued by determined Petruchio is fresh and funny, but a bit . . . tame. Through next Sunday. - J.R.

The Three Musketeers (Quintessence Theatre Group) Athos, Porthos and Aramis swashbuckle in this delightful distillation of Dumas' classic adventure. Through May 10. - W.R.

To the Moon (1812 Productions) Jennifer Childs' smart, touching script is a paean to the average man, whose world is beautifully conveyed by a terrific cast. Through May 17. - J.R.

Uncanny Valley (InterAct Theatre Company) Julian has been created to give a billionaire immortality. Claire's job is to teach him to be human. Two fine performances bring Thomas Gibbons' delicate, ingenious play to life. Ends Sunday. - D.P.S.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Theatre Exile) This splendid, funny, wrenching production of Albee's monumental play is brought to life by a highly skilled and subtle quartet of actors. Through May 17. - T.Z.