UNH stages a reading of “8,” about California’s landmark ruling on gay marriage, in collaboration with Broadway Impact.

As the N.H. Legislature reviews a case for the repeal of 2009’s marriage equality law, Broadway Impact and the American Foundation for Equal Rights are shedding new light on the struggle. For two nights, local theater-goers will have the chance to get a new perspective on the debate and learn how to actively take part.

A theater company in Dover is bringing a classic Shakespeare romance to its new space in a historic mill building. The production of “Romeo & Juliet” will include music, food vendors, market stalls and other festivities to create a park-style atmosphere.

“The Little Farm Show” offers a musical extravaganza about sustainable food systems and organic farming. Tannis Kowalchuk and Brett Keyser play the Magnificent MacDonald Twins, who trace the history of agriculture from the inception of the solar system to the Millicent’s farm, questioning how our food choices affect our bodies, the environment and society.

With the hubbub of New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary behind us, it’s a good time to reflect on the political buffoonery that has transpired. And there’s no better way to do so than with comedy troupe the Capitol Steps, who will perform at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday, Feb. 4.

NHTP presents a hippie-era version of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night.’

With its overtures of love, its songs of exultance and its general spirit of merriment, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night, or What You Will” fits nicely in the colorful setting of the 1960s. Even the play’s more serious themes of gender and class identity were as relevant in the ’60s as they were in the 1600s.

‘Comedy Enlightened,’ a new collection of plays by Darwin’s Waiting Room, comes to The Players’ Ring

In ancient Rome, slaves farmed the land, managed businesses, and built cities. In an upcoming play, the slaves find it just as challenging to get a goat off a roof. “The head slave is in charge of making sure everything happens,” said playwright Eric Doucet. “Of course, everything goes wrong.”

The Phyzgig Festival South is coming to Pontine’s West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth for the fourth straight year. A celebration of variety shows and physical comedy, the family-oriented festival is held between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Performances include clowning, juggling, magic, slapstick humor and other acts in the spirit of vaudeville.

Plans are underway for the recently purchased Ioka Theater to become community-run and supported by the non-profit Exeter Theater Company. The board is considering a range of programs for children, youth and adults, including live music, theater, dance, concerts, comedy, independent and local films and community programming. They plan to hold an open meeting within the next few months and solicit program ideas through a survey.

At least nine area theaters host regular plays, ranging from the traditional to the cutting edge, and often featuring local cast and crew members. You’re not likely to go wrong with a membership, a season subscription or a pair of tickets. And, with state and federal funding for the arts imperiled by deep budget cuts, small Seacoast theaters could use the support. Looking to give the gift of a night out for the holidays? Many of these theaters will soon be running holiday productions, as well.

NHTP kicks off its new season with the four interwoven, conflicting monologues of ‘Faith Healer.’

At the time it was written by Irish dramatist Brian Friel, “Faith Healer” defied the conventions of traditional theater, presenting a play composed entirely of four separate monologues. Perhaps because of its unorthodox format, its original production in New York closed after just 20 performances in the late 1970s. Numerous revivals later, Friel’s work has become a celebrated classic and perfectly suited to the intimate confines of Portsmouth’s West End Studio Theater.

Stage Force’s ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ teaches the value of grace, forgiveness and egg salad in one man’s final days.

It’s a play about living more than it is about dying, though it’s only through the acknowledgement of death that Mitch seeks Morrie out again to learn these valuable lessons. The laughter far outweighs the tears, but what’s most powerful about this play is that we all bring our own experiences of life—the successes, the grand plans, the missed opportunities, and even the unexpected meditations—to create an entirely unique and personal experience of viewing.

Lily Tomlin, soon to make her first-ever appearance in Portsmouth, talks about comedy, politics, and her 40-plus year career

A question about the presidential primary sent Tomlin on a lengthy political monologue about the lack of solidarity within the Republican Party, her support and admiration for the Occupy Wall Street movement, her disdain for the Supreme Court ruling equating corporations to people, and her encounter with a wealthy Texan who claimed to be one of the prime architects of the Swift Boat campaign. “I said, ‘Are you telling me that because you’re proud of it, or are you confessing that to me?’” she recalled with a laugh.

The Players’ Ring marks its 20th season with founder Gary Newton’s “The Lobby”

There’s something a little off-kilter and surreal about the lobby of The Savoy Hotel. It seems normal enough at first glance, but closer inspection reveals a number of dreamlike qualities. The front desk, for instance, is strangely tilted, as are several of the other furnishings in this sallow, rundown room. The vaguely unsettling atmosphere leaves the Savoy’s few guests wondering just how long they’ve been here.

“Miss Saigon” ends the Ogunquit Playouse 2011 season with a bang

Toward the end of the war in Vietnam, some soldiers celebrate with cheap prostitutes in a bar called Dreamland. Most of the girls slink around in bikinis and compete for the title of Miss Saigon. As the song says, “The Heat is on in Saigon.” But it’s an innocent new girl, Kim, who wins the attention of a sergeant named Chris. This one romantic evening will change both of their lives, for better or worse.

Seacoast Repertory Theatre’s current run of the show is not your father’s “Cabaret.” Unless, of course, your dad happens to be Billy Butler.

former submarine mechanic Ed Holmes shares his tales in Kittery in ‘Subhuman.’

The submarine was floating in tropical waters and the sailors were barbecuing on deck. There was war in Vietnam and a young Ed Holmes dove down into the seemingly endless depths of 25,000 feet. “I had a quasi-mystical experience,” he said.

second Seacoast Fringe Festival aims for bigger audience and smaller acts

Fringe festivals around the world strive to bring lesser-known, smaller acts to audiences. Of them, the Seacoast Fringe Festival is probably the smallest, said director Linda Palmer. You could call it the fringe festival of fringe festivals.

Seacoast theaters unveil their schedules for 2011-2012 season

When summer winds down, theater season gears up at venues across the Seacoast. Original and repertory shows have been announced throughout the fall and beyond.

Ogunquit Playhouse presents ‘Legally Blonde, the Musical’

Covered in pink and glitter, carrying a tiny dog in her purse, Elle Woods follows her heart from Malibu to Harvard Law School and finds her brain in “Legally Blonde, the Musical,” now at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Hot pink lights set the tone on opening night, when even executive director Brad Kenney’s bowtie matched Elle’s signature color. “The Playhouse has gone pink!” he announced.

Standup comedy is a bit of a rarity for Seth Meyers, but he’ll perform at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Aug. 20. “The last time I went to Hampton Beach I was probably 17 years old hoping to make a good impression on a woman,” Meyers said. “So, mostly, I would just like to take one trip to Hampton Beach where I execute my goal.”

If you notice a low-hanging cloud over Bow Street, fear not the alien invasion; it’s just that “Hairspray” has landed at Seacoast Repertory Theatre to make a six-week run. Babes with beehives and boys with Brylcreem meet on stage to sing and dance and spritz their way through the early Kennedy years.

Seacoast native Jimmy Dunn will host each show of the second annual Hampton Beach Comedy Festival. Other comics scheduled to appear this year include Shane Kinney, Matt D, Steve Bjork, Dan Crohn, Dave Rattigan, Tony V, Mike Whitman, Lamont Price, Jim Colliton, Karen Morgan, Mark Riley, Mike Prior, Kevin Neales, Mike McCarthy and Kelly MacFarland.

“There’s unrequited love, magical fairies, and mystical-ness,” said the production’s director, Christine Penney. “On top of it all, it’s hilariously funny.”

Bob Saget guest starred on an episode of “Law & Order: LA” on June 27, playing a pornography producer who finds himself surrounded by murders. Spoiler alert: as it turns out, Saget’s character is the murderer. “I’m a porn producer, how could I not be the murderer?” he told The Wire the day the episode aired.