New and Noteworthy: Theater

Into the Woods (Theatre Horizon) This time, Sondheim's darkish riff on fairy tales is performed by a scrappy troupe of traveling players. Previews Thursday-Feb. 11, opens Feb. 12.

Light Sensitive (Montgomery Theater) Blinded in an accident years ago, a lonely, bitter man is challenged by a volunteer who comes to read to him. Previews Thursday and Friday, opens Saturday.

Long Live the Little Knife (Inis Nua Theatre Company) Liz and Jim need a lot of money fast. The solution: They'll become art forgers. Previews Wednesday and Thursday, opens Friday.

The Metamorphosis (Quintessence Theatre Group) When Kafka's Gregor Samsa becomes a huge bug, everything changes for his family. Previews Wednesday-Friday, opens Saturday.

Mothers and Sons (Philadelphia Theatre Company) AIDS killed her son 20 years ago. Now she meets with his long-ago partner, who is married and has a child. Previews Friday-Feb. 10, opens Feb. 11.

Nora (Delaware Theatre Company) Ingmar Bergman's shortened adaptation of Ibsen's "A Doll's House." Previews Wednesday-Friday, opens Saturday.

The Whale (Theatre Exile) Determined to eat himself to death, a despairing 600-pound gay man tries to tie up emotional loose ends. Previews Thursday-Feb. 10, opens Feb. 11.

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

A Life in the Theater (Walnut's Independence Studio) David Mamet's backstage comedy features escapist pleasure and good performances. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

Always . . . Patsy Cline (Bristol Riverside Theatre) Based on the country music legend's friendship with a fan. Through Feb. 22.

Anything Goes (Broadway Theatre of Pitman) Cole Porter's tuneful cruise-ship musical is just de-lovely. Through next Sunday.

Beauty and the Beast (Arden Theatre) Complex characters and intriguing shadow-play sets enhance this new version of a tale as old as time. Extended through Feb. 8. - P.D.

The Body of an American (Wilma Theater) Impressive acting highlights this travelogue of suffering about a writer and a war photographer, but it lacks emotional focus. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Catch Me if You Can (Eagle Theatre) A persuasive young fraudster relishes life on the run. Through Feb. 21.

Closer (Luna Theater) Well-staged and sharply acted, this play about lust and betrayal gets an intense production. Ends Saturday. - J.R.

The Dangerous House of Pretty Mbane (InterAct Theatre Company) Strong personalities and deftly handled politics distinguish this world premiere. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

The Divorcees Club (Penns Landing Playhouse) Three newly single women hunt for the perfect man. Through March 22.

Doubt: A Parable (Lantern Theater Company) An interesting directorial choice generates 80 minutes of intense, thought- provoking drama. Through Feb. 15. - J.R.

Mark Twain Unplugged (Act II Playhouse) Veteran actor Tom Teti puts on his Mark Twain suit for an evening of storytelling. Through Feb. 8.

The Miracle Worker (Media Theatre) Jennie Eisenhower has the title role in this inspiring story. Through Feb. 15.

Misalliance (Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium) What makes a good marriage? Would a lottery work as well as society does? Through Feb. 28.

On the Verge (Hedgerow Theatre) Three Victorian women on a time-traveling journey of exploration. Through next Sunday.

Private Lives (Walnut Street Theatre) Noel Coward's delectable romcom is clever, naughty, and thoroughly well-done. Through March 1. - T.Z.

Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (McCarter Theatre) If you're interested in engrossing theater about deeply human troubles presented with power and clarity, don't miss this remount of Athol Fugard's early play. Through Feb. 15. - T.Z.

Under the Skin (Arden Theatre) Lou needs a kidney, but his estranged daughter wavers in this Michael Hollinger world premiere. Through March 15.