‘A LIFE IN THREE ACTS’ Performances start on Thursday. Bill Cain’s new play imagines Shakespeare facing a crisis of conscience when asked by the king to write a piece of propaganda about the Gunpowder Plot. ‘EQUIVOCATION’ In previews opens on Tuesday. The classically minded Red Bull Theater company presents Jesse Berger’s version of John Webster’s dark romance (2:15). ‘THE DUCHESS OF MALFI’ In previews opens on Sunday. ‘DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN’ In previews opens on Sunday. An African preacher-in-training moves in with a Southern family in Kia Corthron’s new drama. ‘A COOL DIP IN THE BARREN SAHARAN CRICK’ Previews start on Thursday. Frank Sinatra gets the Twyla Tharp Broadway treatment. ‘COME FLY AWAY’ Previews start on Monday. The Irish Rep revives this Shaw classic starring Brian Murray and Melissa Errico. The new Suzan-Lori Parks play features a young man returning to South Texas to confront his father (1:40). ‘THE BOOK OF GRACE’ Previews start on Tuesday. Martin McDonagh’s jet-black comedy, his first set in the United States, also stars Zoe Kazan, Anthony Mackie and Sam Rockwell.

In the kind of twisted, psychotic role he is known for, Christopher Walken plays a man with a gun who’s looking for his hand. ‘A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE’ In previews opens on Thursday. Barry Humphries (better known as Dame Edna) and Michael Feinstein join forces in this showcase written by Christopher Durang. ‘ALL ABOUT ME’ In previews opens on March 18. Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth snap their fingers as Gomez and Morticia in this new gothic musical comedy with songs by Andrew Lippa. ‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’ Previews start on Thursday. Full reviews of current shows, additional listings, showtimes and tickets: /theater. Theaters are in Manhattan unless otherwise noted. Approximate running times are in parentheses.

Dmg 26 march 2010