Brainpeople — The orphan at the center of this dinner-party play by Jose Rivera treats her psychic wounds in a bizarre and novel way, and it makes for some exhilarating theater. Performed at a sedate pace that builds in intensity, Brainpeople makes up for small onstage lapses with an evocation of larger truths. (Howey) Presented by Convergence-Continuum through November 13 at the Liminis, 24398 Scranton Rd. Tickets are $12-$15; call 216-687-0074 or go to convergence-continuum.org.
From Breast Cancer to Broadway — This world-premiere from Bridgette Wimberly features 11 local cancer survivors who united to pen their own play chronicling their lives and experiences surrounding their breast-cancer diagnosis. Through November 21 at Karamu House, 2355 East 89th St. Call 216-795-7070 or go to karamuhouse.org for more information.
The Kite Runner — Khaled Hosseini's novel spins a luxuriant weave of sights, smells, and behaviors that place you in the Afghanistan of 30 odd years ago. The theatrical version, as adapted by Matthew Spangler, captures some of Hosseini's magic, but a clunky narrative device prevents this piece from resonating as fully as it might. The play tells of the wealthy and coddled boy Amir and his servant Hassan, who is an ethnic minority much persecuted in Afghanistan. Still, they are close friends, playing together and competing as partners in all-important kite-flying competitions. Covering three decades and two continents, the plot traces how Amir betrays his friend more than once, then later in life reaches for redemption by interceding in Hassan's son's life. Although touching all the bases, this effort to cover the entire time span of the book requires each scene to speed by. (Howey) Through November 7 at the Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $10-$65; call 216-795-7000 or go to clevelandplayhouse.com.
A Murder, a Mystery, and a Marriage —Actors' Summit revisits the popular musical-comedy in its brand-new home at Akron's Greystone Hall. Through November 7 at 103 South High St. in Akron. Tickets are $17 to $30; call 330-374-7568 or go to actorssummit.org.
Wings — This production of Arthur Kopit's play is less than completely successsful, but Dorothy Silver is brilliant as stroke patient Emily Stilson. Interestingly, we are spared the sight of this aphasia-stricken septuagenarian as others see her. Instead, the playwright ushers us inside Emily's brain and body, experiencing how she answers doctors' questions and subsequently not understanding why they can't hear or understand her. Silver negotiates this challenging word- and soundscape with unerring precision. (Howey) Through November 7 at Beck Center, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. Tickets are $10-$28; call 216-521-2540 or go to beckcenter.org.
