“Shakespeare’s Brother” by Carol Roper of Littleton will play July 17-25, the first production by Celebrationworks Theatre Ensemble in its new space on the second floor of the historic Emerson Building, 1420 Ogden St., Denver (one block south of Colfax, free parking, elevator). Roper introduced this play last summer at Bemis Library in Littleton. It’s just been published. The story is about Will Shakespeare’s lost teen years, as told by his younger, better looking brother Gil, weaving in history and exploits from plays. “Knowledge of Shakespeare optional. Age appropriate for anyone with computer savvy,“ Roper says. Bernie Cardell directs. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $5.28. 303-282-5391. Cash or check.

”Old Times” by Harold Pinter plays July 18 to Aug. 15 at Paragon Theatre/crossroads Theatre,, 26th and Welton (on the Light Rail line), Denver. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays. Tickets: $19, $17. 303-300-2210, paragontheatre.org

“Love and Potatoes: Three comedies in one night” is written by the team that created Buntport Theater’s award-winning series tRUNks: Matt Zambrano, Mitch Sleve, Jessica Roblee. It plays July 10 to Aug. 1 at Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., Denver. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays. Tickets: $15, $12; preview July 9, $10; pay what you can night July 16. 720-946-1388, email trunks@buntport.com

“Die Mommy, Die!” by Charles Busch (Psycho Beach Party, Tale of the Allergist’s Wife…) plays July 18 to Aug. 29 at Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver. Billed as a comic thriller, set in 1967, directed by Nick Sugar. Performance times vary: 10 p.m. Fridays; 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $15. 303-321-5925, www.avenuetheater.com.

“60 Minutes: the Musical” will be presented by the comedy group Nietzsche’s Moustache through Aug. 28 at the Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, in July and August ($12); 2 p.m. Sundays July 19 and August 16 ($12); 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 28 ($15). 303-321-5925, www.avenuetheater.com.

“August: Osage County,” the 2008 Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner by Tracy Letts, plays July 24 to Aug. 8 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex. Estelle Parsons stars as Violet. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday— Sunday evenings; 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $22. 303-893-4100, www.denvercenter.org, TicketsWest at King Soopers.

“Big River: the Adventures of Huckleberry Fin” is the summer musical offering at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, with performances July 14 through Aug. 9: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Directed by Stephen Bourneuf. Tickets start at $45, with children at half price with paying adult (one per adult). On Family Nights: Fridays July 17, 24, 30, Aug. 7, children get $1 tickets with paid adult tickets. 720-898-7200, arvadacenter.org.

“The Violet Hour” by Pulitzer winner Richard Greenberg plays July 10 through Aug. 9 at Vintage Theatre, 2119 E. 17th Ave., Denver. Produced in collaboration with Hunger Artists, directed by Stacy Nelms. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $22 at the door, $17 in advance, 303-839-1361, www.vintagetheatre.com.

“Frozen” by Bryony Lavery, presented by Equinox Theatre Company, plays July 10 through Aug. 8 at the Margery Reed Hall, University of Denver campus, 2306 E. Evans Ave. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets: $10. 720-984-0781. Information at www.equinoxtheatredenver.com.

“Hit the Road, Jack” by Pat Cook, is a world premier of a new family comedy playing at Arvada Festival Playhouse, 5665 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $15, $13. 303-422-4090, www.festivalplayhouse.com.

Conviction” by Oren Neeman plays through July 12 at Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St., Denver- presented by Maya Productions. The play was a 2008 Denver Center Theatre Company Commission and an award winner in Israel, adapted by Ami Dayan and Mark Williams from the novel “Confession” by Yonatan Ben-Nachum. The novel is a story of faith and forbidden love during the Spanish Inquisition. Jeremy Cole and Ami Dayan direct. Scheduled for an off - Broadway engagement in early 2010. Tickets: $20, 303-623-0524, www.curioustheatre.org. Information: www.ConvictionsOnStage.com.

“Information for Foreigners” by Griselda Gambaro plays at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 25 at the 73rd Avenue Playhouse, 7287 Lowell Blvd. in Westminster. This political work, recommended for mature audiences, was written in Argentina in 1971 and was banned. It deals with brutality and torture as a government denies and continues to make citizens disappear. It’s described as an educational and social awareness experience. Admission free. 720-276-6936.

“Home” by British New Wave dramatist David Storey plays through July 12 at Germinal Stage Denver, 2450 W. 44th Ave., Denver. Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $17.75, $19.75, $21.75 depending on night chosen. 303-455-7108.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” by Joe DiPietro through July 19 at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Love in an Italian-American family. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays; 2 p.m. only Sunday, July 19. Tickets: $20, 303-935-3044, www.minersalley.com.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s box office is open, 303-492-0554. The season’s plays are “Hamlet,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” “Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged.” A full schedule may be found online at www.coloradoshakes.org, as is a menu for Falstaff’s Fare Box Suppers.

“Quilters,” by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, which originated at the Denver Center in 1982, returns to DCTC through July 12. The musical, inspired by lives of pioneer women, has played internationally. Performances: 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays. Tickets, 303-893-4100, denvercenter.org, TicketsWest at King Soopers.

“That Was Loud, This is Now” is the Heritage Square Music Hall’s always-popular take on rock ‘n’ roll — then and now. Through Sept. 6. Performances: Wednesdays and Thursdays: 5:30 p.m. meal; 7:30 p.m. show. Fridays and Saturdays: 6 p.m. meal, 8 p.m. show; Sundays: 12 p.m. meal; 2 p.m. show. Address: 18301 W. Colfax Ave: D-103, Golden. Tickets: 303-279-7800.

“That Woman Show: A Broad Comedy” starring Pamela Clifton and LuAnn Buckstein is extended through August at the Avenue Theater, 417 East 17th Avenue, Denver. Performances: July 9, 11, 18, 23, 25, 26, 30; Aug. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29. Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays at 7:30 through July 11, then 6 p.m; Sundays 2 p.m. on June 21, July 26, Aug. 23. Tickets: $15, $11. 303-321-5925, avenuetheater.com.

“$15 Funny Fridays Festival” at the Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver, will feature a different comedy performance each Friday through August 28. Performances: 7:30 p.m. See www.avenuetheater.com for schedule and to reserve tickets. 303-321-5925.

“Girls Only — the Secret Comedy of Women” by Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein is playing at the Galleria Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (Intended for female audiences). Tickets start at $29, www.denvercenter.org, 303-893-4100, TicketsWest at King Soopers.

Children’s Theater

“Pinocchio” plays through July at Heritage Square Childrens Theatre. Performances at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $6, children and adults; $5, seniors. Heritage Square is at 18301 W. Colfax Ave. D-103, Golden. 303-279-7800, www.hsmusichall.com.