New and Noteworthy: Theater

A Murder Has Been Arranged (Hedgerow Theatre) Sir Charles Jasper will inherit two million pounds on his 30th birthday, and plans a merry celebration. A jealous cousin has other ideas. Previews Thursday, Friday, opens Saturday.

Mickle Street (Walnut Theatre's Independence Studio) In this world premiere by local playwright Michael Whistler, Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman get together in Camden in 1882. Previews Tuesday, Wednesday, opens Thursday.

Othello (Curio Theatre Company) Shakespeare's powerful tale of jealousy, treachery and passion. In previews, opens Friday.

Reviewed by Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), David Patrick Stearns (D.P.S.) and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

A Life in the Theater (Walnut's Independence Studio) David Mamet's backstage comedy features escapist pleasure and good performances. Ends Sunday. - W.R.

Always . . . Patsy Cline (Bristol Riverside Theatre) Thin, tuneful story of the country music legend's friendship with a fan. Through next Sunday. - J.R.

Catch Me if You Can (Eagle Theatre) A persuasive young fraudster relishes life on the run in this lively production. Ends Saturday. - D.P.S.

The Cherry Orchard (People's Light and Theatre Company) David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell star in Chekhov's play about land and family. Through March 8.

The Divorcees Club (Penns Landing Playhouse) Newly single women join forces. Hilarious! Through March 22 - J.R..

Doubt: A Parable (Lantern Theater Company) An interesting directorial choice generates thought-provoking drama. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

Hold These Truths (Plays & Players) A chronicle of Gordon Hirabayashi's 50-year journey to reconcile his country's treatment of its citizens of Japanese heritage. Through March 1.

Into the Woods (Theatre Horizon) This time, Sondheim's darkish riff on fairy tales is performed by a scrappy troupe of traveling players. Through March 1.

Light Sensitive (Montgomery Theater) When shlubby, grumpy Tom meets witty, tough Edna, will he let his life change? She may be frumpy - but he's blind. Through March 1. - W.R.

Long Live the Little Knife (Inis Nua Theatre Company) A confused and confusing take on theater as scam. Through next Sunday. - T.Z.

The Metamorphosis (Quintessence Theatre Group) This always-interesting company upends Kafka with vivid setting of his tale of transformation. Through March 1. - W.R.

Milk Like Sugar (Simpatico Theatre Group) Three high school friends form a pregnancy pact. Through March 1.

The Miracle Worker (Media Theatre) Two compelling performances power this inspiring story. Ends Sunday. - W.R.

Misalliance (Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium) This debate about what makes a good marriage sparkles. Through Feb. 28. - T.Z.

Mothers and Sons (Philadelphia Theatre Company) AIDS killed her son 20 years ago. Now she meets with his long-ago partner, married and a father. Through March 8.

Nora (Delaware Theatre Company) Ingmar Bergman's adaptation of Ibsen's "A Doll's House." Through next Sunday.

Private Lives (Walnut Street Theatre) Noel Coward's delectable romcom is clever, naughty, and thoroughly well-done. Through March 1. - T.Z.

Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (McCarter Theatre) If you're interested in engrossing theater about deeply human troubles presented with power and clarity, don't miss this remount of Athol Fugard's early play. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Stairs to the Roof (EgoPo Classic Theatre) A rarely seen early Tennessee Williams play, with politics and fantasy. Through March 1.

Under the Skin (Arden Theatre) Lou needs a kidney, but his estranged daughter wavers in this slow Michael Hollinger world premiere. Through March 15. - T.Z.

The Whale (Theatre Exile) Determined to eat himself to death, a despairing 600-pound gay man tries to tie up emotional loose ends. Through March 1.