Things are not what they seem in the premiere of “Death By Lullaby,” a play that smartly tackles some of the very serious problems that can occur in senior living situations, while being packaged in a crackling murder mystery story.

The pitfalls that result from staffing shortages, medical mismanagement and lack of oversight are illuminated in the intriguing new play written and directed by Ara Barlieb, and being presented by Crowded Kitchen Players through Oct. 26 at Charles A. Brown Ice House in Bethlehem.

Mrs. Tigert, outstandingly played by Trish Cipoletti, is the newest resident at Wheatland Retirement Community. Mrs. Tigert, who it seems has  apparently had a stoke, awakens in the home in the middle of the night, screaming and lost.

If you’re a fan of 1980s hits like “Any Way You Want It,” and “Don’t Stop Believin,” then MunOpCo Music Theatre’s enthusiastic and energetic “Rock of Ages” will be a raucous walk down memory lane.

The juke-box musical which features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister,  Whitesnake, Poison, Europe and more, is rocking the stage through Oct. 6 at  Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown. 

Thin on plot, but heavy on hits like “Can't Fight This Feeling,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “The Final Countdown;” “Rock of Ages”  is more a send-up of the indulgent ‘80s than a typical musical. The show keeps its tongue firmly in its cheek with inside references to everything from 1980s pop culture to the “Rock of Ages” film adaptation.

DeSales University Act 1’s “Little Shop of Horrors” is deliciously dark and wildly entertaining. The horror musical boasts great performances, hilariously kitschy visuals and some top notch singing.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” is on the main stage through Oct. 6 at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley.

In the story, hopeless nerd Seymour is toiling away at a thankless job at a failing flower shop on New York’s Skid Row, when he chances upon a strange flytrap-type plant while shopping in Chinatown during an eclipse.

Cedar Crest College has staged a clever, funny and ribald romp with  “Disenchanted! The Musical,” a
subversive take on what happened to all the fairy tale princesses after the “happily ever after.”

The musical revue is being presented through Sept. 29 at Samuels Theater, 100 College Drive, Allentown.

Don’t expect traditional princesses is this comical parody of the Disney princess brand (definitely not sanctioned by Disney). The musical humorously imagines how the princesses would react today to how they have been portrayed in pop culture.