WHAT'S NEW AT A GLANCE . . .

The Huntington is closing out its season with a biting production of "Rapture, Blister, Burn," Gina Gionfriddo's look at three generations of women and the choices they've made. R. J. Donovan says the evening is bright and accessible. Read his review here.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's free "Shakespeare On The Common” series returns for its 18th season with the comedy "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." Inspired by the sights and sounds of the Vegas Rat Pack-era, this new production plays July 6 - 28. All performances are free and open to the public. Get more details here.

Boston Actors Theater completes its 9th season with "Paper City Phoenix," a comedic exploration of connection and loss in the Internet age. Written by Huntington Playwriting Fellow Walt McGough and directed by Melanie Garber, the production plays Boston Playwrights Theatre from July 12 - 27. Reboot, reload, or click here for more.

The 30th anniversary season at New Repertory Theater includes nine productions including: "The Elephant Man," Bernard Pomerance’s Tony Award-winning drama of John Merrick’s tragic affliction; "On The Verge," Eric Overmyer’s time-travel fantasy detailing the misadventures of three Victorian women; "Imagining Madoff," Deborah Margolin’s imagined jail-time conversations between the Ponzi-schemer and a philosopher; and a revival of "Camelot," Lerner & Loewe's musical tale of royal love and betrayal. Check out the full 2013-2014 season schedule here.

WCVB-TV's Susan Wornick will be the Celebrity Auctioneer when The Friends of MRT host A Cause for Applause on June 20 at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center in Lowell. Featuring dinner, a cash bar and both silent and live auctions, the evening will benefit Merrimack Repertory Theatre's mainstage productions and education programs. Find out how you can attend here.

North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly kicks off its 2013 season with "The Sound of Music." With a score that boasts such beloved songs as “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss,” the production plays through June 23. If you think fa's a long, long way to run, click here for more.

The Rhode Island arts community has come together to create RIPE, The Rhode Island Performance Exchange, with a mission to share resources and information. From having a centralized website showcasing all the companies in the state and featuring a calendar listing all performances, to an audience-review podcast of local productions, the grassroots organization has garnered the support of many of Rhode Island’s arts leaders. Read all about it here.

As Fiddlehead Theatre Company becomes Resident Company of The Strand Theatre, it's new season will include productions of Andrew Lippa’s "Little Princess" and Elton John and Tim Rice’s "Aida." Get the details here.

SpeakEasy Stage finishes off its season with a dynamic production of "In The Heights," winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2008. The story of family, home and community in the Washington Heights section of New York City offers an infectious beat and a hardworking cast. (The production has been extended through June 30.) Read R. J. Donovan's review here.

Reagle Music Theatre celebrates its 45th anniversary season with productions of "Chicago," "Les Miserables" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Tickets are on sale now. Get all the details here.

The cast will definitely be on their toes when Trinity Repertory Theatre presents Sir Alan Ayckbourn's "House & Garden," a pair of interlocking comedies that take place with one cast performing two different plays, in two different theaters, simultaneously. The fun continues through June 30. Grab your running shoes and click here to read all about it.

Broadway in Boston's 2013-2014 season will offer a full range of productions from nostalgia and Broadway's latest hits to a couple of past favorites. The schedule includes: "Once," the Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2012; "Million Dollar Quartet;" "A Christmas Story, The Musical;" "Flashdance - The Musical;" "We Will Rock You;" "I Love Lucy, Live On Stage;" "American Idiot;"and a re-imagining of "The Phantom of the Opera." Get the full season rundown here.

PAST REVIEWS . . .

"The Book of Mormon"arrived at Boston's Opera House with a politically incorrect, nothing's-off-limits tale of two young missionaries who travel to Uganda to spread the good word. R. J. Donovan was there on Opening Night and said the Tony Award-winning musical was everything expected, plus more. Read his review here.

Lyric Stage Company looked at Hollywood in the 30's with "By The Way, Meet Vera Stark" by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Both comical and poignant, the story gave a glimpse into racial stereotypes in the movies. Read R. J. Donovan's review here.

Phil Tayler and Daniel Berger-Jones (at left) brought to life an entire town of Irish characters in "Stones In His Pockets" at Lyric Stage. R. J. Donovan said the duo did a brilliant job in the bright and ultimately very touching comedy. Read his review here.

In its New England premiere at SpeakEasy Stage, Jon Robin Baitz's "Other Desert Cities" blended family, politics and show business -- all in a Christmas Eve drama that threatened to blow the roof off the tense gathering. Read R. J. Donovan's review here.

The national tour of "Sister Act" arrived at The Opera House straight from its Broadway run. Based on the popular film of the same name, the musical told the tale of a wannabe diva hiding out in a convent. R. J. Donovan said it was fun with several bright spots but could have delivered more. Read his review here.

In the Tony Award-winning "Memphis," Huey Calhoun is a man in love with rhythm and blues -- and a talented singer society won't accept as his lady. R. J. Donovan was at the newly reopened Colonial Theatre on Opening Night. Read his review here.

ArtsEmerson presented an intriguing multidisciplinary production of Lemieux Pilon 4D Art’s "La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast)" complete with eerie 3D imagery. R. J. Donovan said the experience of spectors and holograms summoned up a haunting world of danger and uncertainty. Read his full review here.

As the elections loomed, SpeakEasy Stage presented "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson," a hipster rock show mash up of politics in the making. R. J. Donovan said it was polished, imaginative and fun. Read his review here.

Based on the bestseller by Chaim Potok, "The Chosen," at Lyric Stage, was a sensitive look at the challenges of relationships -- between father and son, between best friends, and between man and his beliefs. R. J. Donovan said it was a thought provoking evening. Read his review here.

Telling a tale of unique courage, loyalty and friendship, the Tony Award-winning "War Horse" was a spectacular experience filled with superb stagecraft. R. J. Donovan said the story of a boy and his beloved horse was artfully presented and thoroughly captivating. Read his review here.

When "Billy Elliot The Musical," winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards, played Boston's Opera House for a month-long run, R. J. Donovan said the story of a boy from a gritty English mining town who yearns to become a ballet dancer was exhilarating and passionate. Read his review here.

The national tour of "Mamma Mia!" returned to Boston for a quick run. With Boston's own Mary Callanan (far right) in the cast, what's not to like? R. J. Donovan was at The Opera House on Opening Night. Read his review here.

"Fela!" transported audiences at the Cutler Majestic back to a 1978 farewell concert by Nigerian musician, singer, political activist Fela Kuti. R. J. Donovan said it was a vibrant, electrifying evening, anchored by a phenomenal performance from Sahr Ngaujah (at left) as Fela. Read his review here.

Plus There's Lots More . . .

To browse OnStage Boston's full listing of news stories detailing what's happening everywhere from The Huntington to Boston Playwrights Theatre, New Rep, Lyric Stage Company, The Boston Conservatory, Trinity Rep and others, just click here.