Oh, uff da, this one's a real hoot! Do yourself a favor and head on out to see C. Denby Swanson's delightfully dark comedy about women scorned in Minnesota and the really, really nice gangsters – Norwegian hit men – they hire to whack their ex-boyfriends. Directed by Lara Toner Haddock for Austin Playhouse, and starring Sarah Zeringue, Ben Wolfe, Sarah Fleming Walker, and Lowell Bartholomee.

The Norwegians

Austin Playhouse company members and other local luminaries treat guests to a spooky evening of musical theatre – accompanied by a live band. "From fan favorites to lesser-known gems, each carefully curated cabaret is filled with unforgettable songs brought to life by Austin’s finest performers."

Austin Playhouse’s Fall Cabaret

Murder's afoot – and it's wearing those funny golfers' socks! Yes, Austin Playhouse presents the regional premiere of Murder on the Links, from the Agatha Christie novel, written and directed by Steven Dietz. Bonus: An all-star cast! We mean, Ben Wolfe (as Hercule Poirot, no less), Lara Toner Haddock, Huck Huckaby, Tonie Knight, Chase Brewer, and Sarah Chong Dickey.

Murder on the Links

The worst myth about William Shakespeare was that he was a unique genius who penned his greatest plays and sonnets in pristine isolation in his home in Stratford-upon-Avon. Lizzy Duffy Adams’ scathing comedy gets to the reality: that he was a jobbing playwright, a controversial upstart crow in Elizabethan London’s vibrant, tumultuous theatre scene. A long day with his contemporary, the radical Christopher Marlowe, becomes an examination of collaboration, influence, politics, desire, and the wild energy of life behind the stage. Austin Playhouse’s production runs Thursday-Sunday through April 28. – Richard Whittaker

Born With Teeth

It all began with a list of those little moments and wonders in life, created by writer Duncan Macmillan as a short play called Sleeve Notes. But over time that list evolved through multiple iterations until it finally became Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man play based around the list of everything best in life delivered by a 6-year-old boy to his mother as he tries to understand this thing called depression. Joseph Garlock takes on the part originated by Jonny Donahue, all with the assistance of the audience. Post-show talkbacks with representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Central Texas and Integral Care take place May 3 and 17. – Richard Whittaker

Every Brilliant Thing

Stand aside, Anya Taylor-Joy and Gwyneth Paltrow. Heck, I’ll include Alicia Silverstone in there as well. Get back, ladies, because there’s a new Emma in town. Austin Playhouse presents their own updated Emma, giving that meddling matchmaker a new twist in the old setting. Emma might know what’s best for everybody else, but can she see what’s right in front of her? You probably know the answer, but this guarantees a laugh-a-minute journey along the way. Romance and absurdity – a recipe for greatness. – Cat McCarrey