Opening
FIVE DOWN, ONE ACROSS
A woman moves her elderly mother into her Brookline home, hoping she can clear up baffling questions. But the mother suddenly prefers to communicate through clues from crossword puzzles. Sept. 30-Oct. 24. Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. 866-811-4111, www.bostonplaywrights.org
Now playing
IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY)
Director Scott Edmiston and a strong cast explore the shadows as well as the light in this superb production. Through Oct. 16. SpeakEasy Stage Company. Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts. 617-933-8600, www.speakeasystage.com
CABARET
The creative intelligence of director Steven Bogart and the compelling performances by Aly Trasher and Thomas Derrah are the best reasons to see this musical. Through Oct. 29. American Repertory Theater. Oberon, Cambridge. 617-547-8300, www.americanrepertorytheater.org.
