New and Noteworthy: Theater

The Illusionists (Academy of Music) Seven artists of magic and illusion do the impossible, again and again. Opens Tuesday.

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

A Murder Has Been Arranged (Hedgerow Theatre) Sir Charles Jasper will inherit two million pounds on his 30th birthday, and plans a merry celebration. A jealous cousin has other ideas. Through March 29.

Always . . . Patsy Cline (Bristol Riverside Theatre) Thin, tuneful story of the country music legend's friendship with a fan. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

The Cherry Orchard (People's Light and Theatre Company) David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell star in this blissful, humorous staging of Chekhov's play about land, class and changing times. Through March 8. - J.R.

The Divorcees Club (Penns Landing Playhouse) Newly single women join forces. Hilarious! Through March 22 - J.R.

Hold These Truths (Plays & Players) This chronicle of Gordon Hirabayashi's 50-year journey to reconcile his country's treatment of its citizens of Japanese heritage casts a spell and delivers a strong message. Through next Sunday. - D.P.S.

Into the Woods (Theatre Horizon) A prodigiously talented cast delivers endearing, engaging performances but is hamstrung by a too-small venue. Through next Sunday. - J.R.

Light Sensitive (Montgomery Theater) When shlubby, grumpy Tom meets witty, tough Edna, will he let his life change? She may be frumpy - but he's blind. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

Long Live the Little Knife (Inis Nua Theatre Company) A confused and confusing take on theater as scam. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

The Metamorphosis (Quintessence Theatre Group) This always-interesting company upends Kafka with vivid setting of his tale of transformation. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

Mickle Street (Walnut Theatre's Independence Studio) In this world premiere by local playwright Michael Whistler, Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman get together in Camden in 1882. Through March 8.

Milk Like Sugar (Simpatico Theatre Group) Three high school friends form a pregnancy pact in this engrossing, pitch-perfect, very sad drama. Through next Sunday. - T.Z.

Misalliance (Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium) This debate about what makes a good marriage sparkles. Ends Saturday. - T.Z.

Mothers and Sons (Philadelphia Theatre Company) AIDS killed her son 20 years ago; mow she meets with his long-ago lover. Terrence McNally's script has too much exposition and zero theatricality, but the fine cast does its best. Through March 8. - T.Z.

Nora (Delaware Theatre Company) Ingmar Bergman's adaptation of Ibsen's "A Doll's House" is suspense-filled and superbly directed. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

Othello (Curio Theatre Company) Shakespeare's powerful tale of jealousy, treachery and passion. Through March 14.

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

Stairs to the Roof (EgoPo Classic Theatre) This rarely seen early Tennessee Williams play gets a brilliant and hilarious production. - T.Z.

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

The Whale (Theatre Exile) Determined to eat himself to death, a despairing 600-pound gay man tries to tie up emotional loose ends. The provocative script gets a sterling production. Through next Sunday. - D.P.S.