THIS fall seems a time for taking stock and making mock. And there’s a burning need to use the past to illuminate the present. It’s also a time for laughter, and there’s plenty of it. To wit: Neil Simon has an intriguing and funny puzzle called “Rose’s Dilemma,” about a famous writer who needs a gimmick. With Mary Tyler Moore and John Collum. Performances start Nov. 20 at Manhattan Theater Club. At the Signature is the “The Harlequin Studies,” the first Bill Irwin offering in a season of Irwin plays. This one follows a rogue in commedia dell’arte plays. Here’s what else is on tap, along with dates (when available) and theaters.
SEPTEMBER “Moby Dick,” a multimedia play based on that famous novel about a whale. Today, Ohio. “Recent Tragic Events,” a funny-sad play by Craig Wright about a blind date on Sept. 12, 2001. With Heather Graham. Sept. 5, Playwrights Horizons. “Omnium Gatherum,” a satire about a chic dinner party that’s interrupted by a surreal guest. Cowritten by Theresa Rebeck and Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros. Directed by Will Frears. Sept. 9, Variety Arts. “Living Out,” a drama by Lisa Loomer about an L.A. power couple and their Salvadoran maid. Sept. 9, Second Stage. A revival of Sam Shepard’s “A Lie of the Mind,” about all sorts of grim family secrets. Sept. 9, American Theatre of Actors. “The Rivals” by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. This 18thcentury comedy will play by itself until Oct. 25, when it will be joined by “The Merchant of Venice.” Sept. 13, Pearl. “Beckett/Albee” has Marian Seldes in threeshort Beckett pieces; she and Brian Murray team in Albee’s 1976, “Counting the Ways.” Sept. 26, Century Center.
Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part One,” in an innovative staging by downtown wizard Richard Maxwell. Sept. 30, BAM.
“The Night Heron,” a strange, funny and bitter new play from London from author Jezz Butterworth. Atlantic.
OCTOBER
“The Colleen Bawn,” a riotous tale of love and political intrigue by the 19th-century playwright Dion Boucicault.
“Strictly Academic,” a weird new comedy from A.R. Gurney about a sadistic theater director who keeps her audiences coming back. Primary Stages. A rare staging of “Two Noble Kinsmen,” in large part by Shakespeare late in his career. Directed by Darko Tresjnak. Oct. 7, Public Theater.
“Fame on 42nd Street,” a musical of the film about kids in the old High School of the Performing Arts. Oct. 7, Little Shubert.
“Wilder,” a raunchy new musical about a man (John Cullum) who grew up in a Depression-era bordello. Oct. 9, Playwrights Horizons.
“The Long Christmas Ride Home,” an exciting new play by Paula Vogel that hurls a family into the future. Mark Brokaw directs. Oct. 14, Vineyard.
Writer Cathy Caplan takes us back in “Silver Nitrate” to Weimar Germany where three photographers fall afoul of the new Nazi regime. Oct. 14, Blue Heron.
“Caroline, or Change,” a new musical with book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and music by Jeanine Tesori . Directed by George C. Wolfe. Oct. 21, Public Theater.
“Bright Ideas” by Eric Coole. A satire about parents trying to get their kid into the chicest school in town. Oct. 22, MCC.
“The Beard of Avon.” Who’s hiding behind the mask of Shakespeare? Playwright Amy Freed has some ideas. Oct. 24, New York Theatre Workshop.
In “Dinner with Demons,” Jonathan Reynolds whips up a yummy meal on stage while tellings anecdotes about food and sex. Nov. 24, Second Stage.