OPENING
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS | The Cape Cod Theatre Project presents Mike Daisey's monologue about the life of Apple Computers CEO Steve Jobs. "Daisey weaves a tale of hubris, hilarity, hucksterism and brilliance, revealing how Apple Computer has taken on a significant role in his life and in the world." Jean-Michelle Gregory directs. | Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth | 508.457.4242 or capecodtheatreproject.org | July 29-31 | Curtain 8 pm Thurs-Sat | $20; $10 students
CANDYLAND: A RECESSION COMEDY | New Exhibition Room presents the world premiere of Dawn M. Simmons's tale of employment woes and the recession. Somehow, it's a comedy, its modern landscape loaded with weird encounters, dragons, zombies, imaginary gunfights, and karaoke. The idea, we're told, is to "dramatize the frustration and aggression that comes from being out of work, losing your home, your identity. We're trying to tap into that sense of being a child again, when very little is in your control." A. Nora Long directs. | Boston Playwrights' Theatre, 949 Comm Ave, Boston | 866.811.4111 or newexhibitionroom.org | July 29–August 14 | Curtain 8 pm Thurs-Sat | $10 advance; pay what you can/free rush tickets at the door
COMIN' HOME TO INDIANA: THE MUSIC OF THE ISHMAELITES | The IshmaeLites' 22-song album, Comin' Home to Indiana, tells the story of the Gypsy-like "Tribe of Ishmael" that roamed the Midwest and Indiana in the 19th century. Artezani Theater has adapted the album into a musical, and Ian Maxwell MacKinnon directs three performances before the IshameLites go home to Indiana themselves. | Democracy Center, 45 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge | myspace.com/theishmaelites | July 23-25 | Curtain 8 pm Fri-Sat | 7 pm Sun | $10
THE FIREBIRD | Based on the Russian folk tale and inspired by Igor Stravinsky's ballet, this work weaves together storytelling, illuminated art, and the circus — "Actors on a flying trapeze, puppets, original music, Georgian folk songs, and rousing instrumental pieces will all be part of this living, ethereal fairy tale/myth." The production is the brainchild of Russian stage actress Oksana Mysina, Russian writer John Freedman, the Charlestown Working Theater, and Q-Staff Theater. | Double Edge Theatre, 948 Conway Rd, Ashfield | 866.811.4111 or doubleedgetheatre.org | July 28–August 22 | Curtain 8 pm Wed-Sun | $25; $22 students, seniors
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES | Thomas Derrah directs this farcical adaptation by Steven Canny and John Nicholson of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous crime novel, with fellow former ART stalwart Remo Airaldi as Sherlock Holmes, Bill Mootos as Dr. John Watson, and Trent Mills as Sir Henry Baskerville. That's just for starters, of course — among them, the three actors will essay more than a dozen roles, as Holmes tries to discover a rational explanation for the spectral hellhound who's haunting Baskerville Hall and scaring the life — literally — out of the Baskerville family line. | Central Square Theater, 450 Mass Ave, Cambridge | 617.576.9278 or centralsquaretheater.org | July 22–August 22 | Curtain 7:30 pm Wed-Thurs | Fri-Sat 8 pm | Sun 2 pm | $40
