Crowded Kitchen Players heartfelt retelling of the story of a tragic uprising by a group of Irish rebels on Easter Monday in 1916 is made even more poignant with the addition of the moving words of the granddaughter of one of the actual rebels.

Fiona Galligan Sweeney, granddaughter of Irish rebel Peter Paul Galligan, makes her stage debut in the often raw, but always compelling "The Rising: The Irish Rebellion in Song and Verse" through March 19 at Charles A. Brown IceHouse in Bethlehem.

Conceived and directed effectively by Ara Barlieb, the story of "The Rising" returns after a successful run in 2022, with additional material about Sweeneys ancestor, who played a critical role in the fighting and was one of the few leaders who escaped execution.

Between The Lines Studio Theatre presents a harrowing production of Edward Albees controversial play "The Goat, or Who is Sylvia'" through March 11 at the groups theater at 725 N. 15th St., Allentown

The plays unsettling subject matter is raw and at times difficult to watch as Albee examines the most scandalous social taboos and how people react to them. "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia'" was written in 2000 and won the Tony Award for Best Play, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, and was a finalist for the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Northampton Community Colleges Theatre Departments melancholy production of Tennessee Williams classic play "The Glass Menagerie" is anchored by a talented cast and strong direction.

The play in Norman R. Roberts Lab Theatre, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem through March 6, resonates as it illuminates the complexities of Williams fragile characters, all trapped by their memories.

Laura Sweeney Riker is desperately determined as the aging Southern belle and matriarch Amanda Wingfield, who swings between disappointment with her painfully shy daughter, Laura, and a single-minded focus to find a future for her.

MunOpCo Music Theatre has done a fantastic job with its thrilling musical "Dreamgirls" now through March 5 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St, Allentown.

The show is filled with passionate performances and it is great to see live music on the stage. The 15 piece band led by David Mascari, is right in the middle of the stage for the entire show, which not only enhances the concert hall locale of much of the story but adds just the right note of brassiness to the rhythm and blues-inspired music.