mary jane fonder

THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY To create their newest theatrical piece, an exploration of the rise of the evangelical movement, members of the singular theater troupe the Civilians spent 10 weeks in Colorado Springs, where several evangelical churches have their national headquarters. There they asked hundreds of residents about the importance of religion in their lives. In this hybrid work — part play with music, part docudrama — the troupe compares issues facing the Colorado city with those facing the nation. Written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. Opens Sunday. Closes March 15. Vineyard Theater, 108 East 15th Street, Manhattan; (212) 353-0303, vineyardtheatre.org.
OTHELLO The tale of the doomed Moor of Venice will be the first of back-to-back Shakespearean tragedies from Theater for a New Audience this spring. John Douglas Thompson (“Oroonoko”) has the title role, and Arin Arbus, the company’s associate artistic director, directs. Opens Sunday. Closes March 7. In the second play, “Hamlet,” Christian Camargo (“All My Sons”) portrays the Danish prince, and David Esbjornson directs. Previews begin March 15. Opens March 26. Closes April 19. The Duke, 229 West 42nd Street, Manhattan; (646) 223-3010, dukeon42.org.
THAT PRETTY PRETTY; OR, THE RAPE PLAY Jane Fonda is an actress in “33 Variations” (see below) and a character in this odd comedy by Sheila Callaghan (“Dead City”) about two murderous ex-strippers and the screenwriter who wants to include them in a movie. In previews. Opens Monday. Closes March 15. Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, Greenwich Village; Smarttix, rattlestick.org