New and Noteworthy: Theater

And Then There Were None (Walnut Street Theatre) Agatha Christie's trickiest plotting, based on her book, the best-selling mystery of all time. In previews, opens Wednesday.

Annie (Academy of Music) The little redhead steps up from her hard-knock life. Opens Tuesday.

Ragtime (Bristol Riverside Theatre) A Tony-winning musical that carries three immigrant families through the joys, pains, and contradictions of becoming American. Previews Tuesday, Wednesday, opens Thursday.

Rashomon (Luna Theater Company) In 12th-century Japan, a samurai is murdered and his wife raped. Four versions of the crimes emerge - is anyone telling the truth? Previews Thursday, Friday, opens Saturday.

The Taming of the Shrew (Lantern Theater Company) Strong-willed Kate and determined Petruchio fence, parry, and . . . tango! Previews Thursday-March 24, opens March 25.

Tick Tick . . . BOOM! (Eagle Theatre) Jonathan Larson's story of a young man worried that life is passing him by as he struggles to write his first musical. Opens Friday.

Reviewed by Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

The 39 Steps (Broadway Theatre of Pitman) Four valiant actors play scores of roles in this madcap mystery based on Hitchcock's thriller. Through March 29.

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. Through March 29.

Baskerville (McCarter Theatre) Ken Ludwig dramatizes (and comedifies) the mystery of Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles. Through March 29.

The Divorcees Club (Penn's Landing Playhouse) Newly single women join forces. Hilarious! Through next Sunday. - J.R.

Field Hockey Hot (11th Hour Theatre Company) Michael Ogborn's sunny, campy new musical satire about a driven field hockey coach - the terrific Jennie Eisenhower - and her gung-ho, plaid-kilted girls (some of whom aren't) has too many charms to list. Through next Sunday. - W.R.

Fortune Cookies (South Camden Theatre Company) It's the 10th year four friends have celebrated their bond with a Chinese dinner. This one will be special. Ends Sunday.

Ghost: The Musical (Media Theatre) Based on the popular 1990 film that tells the love story of Sam and Molly and his death during a botched mugging. With music from Eurythmics' Dave Stewart. Through next Sunday.

Macbeth (Arden Theatre Company) Alexander Burns directs Shakespeare's classic dark tale of ambition in a riveting production highlighted by the splendid Ian Merrill Peakes, who makes the famous "tomorrow and tomorrow" soliloquy his own. Through April 26. - T.Z.

Moon Cave (Azuka Theatre) An excellent cast highlights this otherwise thin drama about a man whose childhood trauma is blighting his life. Through next Sunday. - T.Z.

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

Unnecessary Farce (Act II Playhouse) Newbie cops, government corruption, a homicidal bagpipe player - what more could you want? Extended through March 29. - J.R.