Theater: New and Noteworthy

Around the World in 80 Days

(Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley). Hedgerow specializes in affectionate farcical renditions of epic adventures - with tiny (in this case, five-person) casts. Wednesday through Aug. 13.

Hamlet (REV Theatre / Laurel Hill Cemetery). That's right, Laurel Hill Cemetery. Should make the gravedigger scene pretty creepy. Friday and Saturday and July 14-15.

The Nerd (Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope). A soldier saves a life, then, years later, crashes the birthday party (and life) of the guy he saved. Through July 15.

On the Road Again (Montgomery Theater, Souderton). Philly stalwarts Jen Childs and Tony Braithwaite in their popular send-up of summer vacations. Wednesday through July 16.

Romeo and Juliet (Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company). The Shakespeare tragedy, played at parks in the Philadelphia area. Thursday through July 27. For full schedule: cctheatrec.org.

Titanic (Broadway Theatre of Pitman, N.J.). It was sad when the great ship went down - but it went down loving, singing, and dancing. Friday through July 30.

Reviewed by Tirdad Derakhshani (T.D.), Hugh Hunter (H.H.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), John Timpane (J.T.), and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

Always, Patsy Cline (Media Theatre). Fangirl's view of the gifted Americana singer. Ends Sunday.

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Perelman Theater). Fresh from its Bucks County Playhouse run, this is a persuasive, rockin' ride through Buddy Holly's career. Ends next Sunday. - J.T.

Evita (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pa.). Glittering, tender, emotionally overwhelming rendition of the Webber/Rice musical. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

Footloose! (Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven, N.J.). Welcome back, Surflight. A guy dances his way to acceptance. Genial, with some great dancing. Ends next Sunday. - J.T.

The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord (Lantern Theater Company). Three greats of the 19th century compare notes in the afterlife. Witty, clever, thought-provoking, with three great leads. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Hound of the Baskervilles (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Center Valley). A funny send-up of Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, and theater itself. Three actors, 16 roles. Through July 16. - H.H.

Project Dawn (People's Light, Malvern). A revolutionary court in Philly serves a hard-to-forget group of women. One of the very best new plays of the season. Ends next Sunday. - J.T.

Saturday Night Fever (Walnut Street Theatre). In 1979 Brooklyn, Tony and Stephanie train together for a dance competition. You'll sing and dance the rest. Tremendous talent, and a worthwhile story about the dark side of working-class life. Through July 16. - T.D.

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Cape May Stage). Majorie of Manhattan deals with a hilarious mother and a mysterious figure from her past. Through July 22.

Will Rogers' U.S.A. (East Lynne Theater, Cape May). A musical revue of a great comic and his country in their day. Through July 22.