Photo By Miami University

The Shadow Box at Miami University

Back to School
An essential overlooked component of Cincinnati's fine local theater scene, work staged at area universities, is being showcased this weekend. Three award-winning classic scripts are being presented -- one at Miami University, one at the UC's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and one at Northern Kentucky University (NKU).

CCM goes back more than 50 years to present THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING by Christopher Fry, which opened on Broadway in 1951. (The original production was the Broadway debut for the then-unknown Richard Burton.) The play tells the story of a war-weary soldier who returns home with nothing but a death wish. He wants to be hanged, but the townspeople are focused on something else -- they wish to burn at the stake a young woman accused of practicing witchcraft. The play explores the will to live and the wish to die. It opens Thursday evening in Patricia Corbett Theater; performances continue through Sunday. (Tickets: 513-556-4183)

NKU's department of theater and dance goes back to the 1960s for Jay Presson Allen's theatrical adaptation of Muriel Sparks' novel THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE. The play is a look at the dark sides of charisma and influence, a story about students at a girls school in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the 1930s and how they affect the life of an outspoken teacher. The girls learn about love and art from Miss Brodie, but they also learn about politics and social conformity. The opening in the Stauss Theatre, NKU's black box facility, is Thursday evening, and it runs through Sunday. (Tickets: 859-572-5464)

Miami is staging Michael Christofer's 1977 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner THE SHADOW BOX, which examines three cancer patients coping with terminal illness. The play explores how they and their loved ones cope with their situations once they leave a hospital facility and move into nearby cottages to live out their final days. The show, which opens on Wednesday and runs through Sunday, is presented in collaboration with Hospice of Cincinnati. It's on view in the Studio 88 Theatre in Miami's Center for Performing Arts. (Tickets: 513-529-3200)

These aren't shows typically presented by Cincinnati's professional theaters, so this weekend offers a chance to take a look back at some of the great dramas from the middle of the 20th century. (See Onstage.) -- RICK PENDER

THURSDAY 26
THE COMFIES are the brainchild of Benjamin Adam Harper, a wildly diverse songwriter with 40-year-old influences, 20-year-old techniques and a contemporary mindset. The Nashville band's debut EP, Close to Me, piles up hooky references to avowed influences like the elemental Pop of The Beatles and the baroque Pop of The Zombies, which comes out like a hybridization of the Smithereens and Velvet Crush when filtered through the Comfies' Modern Rock sensibilities. From the '80s Rock snap and swing of the title track to the Hunky Dory/Bowie-esque turn on "That's What She Gets" to the Kinks jaunt of "Understanding 23" to the haunting and all-too brief finale of "Dear Miss Anderson," the Comfies show a talent for absorbing and exuding their influences rather than displaying them like cheap goods in a sidewalk bazaar. Hopefully there's a full-length CD lurking in the wings somewhere. The Comfies swing through town Thursday for a show at Cooper's On Main. 513-381-0455. (See Music.) -- BRIAN BAKER

Photo By Christopher Grimes Gallery

FRIDAY 27
Before you strike out for the excitement of Final Friday in Over-the-Rhine, take some time to explore the CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER's newest exhibition, the self-titled Katharina Grosse. Grosse's latest color installation will transform the CAC's lobby into a brilliant cascade of color by using a spray gun to layer vibrant colors on the walls, floors, windows, ceilings and the contents of the building. Grosse has created numerous installations around the world and has been featured in museums as well as other public venues. As part of the opening celebration, she'll discuss her work amidst the fresh installation. 6-9 p.m. Friday. Free. 513-345-8415. (See Art.) -- JACQULEYN VAUGHN

FRIDAY 27
Your favorite independent record store (Shake It) and independent art gallery (Publico) are teaming up to give you the ultimate synergism of music and art. In the appropriately titled MUSIC SHOW, a visual and aural exhibition is divided into two different but compatible sections. The first section is an exhibition by a group of visual artists whose work is interested in some aspect of music, such as musical by-products, instruments or performance. Included in this nationally and internationally renowned collective is Cincinnati's Chris Vorhees, sculptor, builder and SIMPARCH collaborator. The second section is also a group exhibition, but it deals exclusively with music show posters and fliers. This will include prints by such names as Andrio Abero, Devon Varmega and Zeloot. But enough with the seeing already, what about the hearing? Music will be provided by Cincinnati's own soul man, DJ Iceburg, and humanoid DJ Ruckus Roboticus. See some art before your friend's Halloween party starts getting good. 7-11 p.m. Friday. 513-784-0832. (See Art.) -- MAIJA ZUMMO

SATURDAY 28
ANNIE PROULX is a versatile writer of rare skill and insight. Best known for her short story that became the film Brokeback Mountain, Proulx is also the creator of four well-received novels (1994's Shipping News won the Puliter Prize for fiction), three short story collections and several non-fiction efforts that date back to her early days as a journalist. Armed with evocative language and rich metaphors, her writing often investigates the more surreal aspects of everyday life. "The magical, the surreal, the seemingly impossible elements of life abound, and I am, for reasons unknown, attracted to such twisty loops of reality," she says via e-mail. "Probably because as a kid I read such books as Alice in Wonderland, which made the world a fluid, shifting landscape, bizarre and fascinating. I find myself attracted to string theory for that same thrill." Proulx speaks as part of the Mercantile Library's Niehoff Lecture XIX at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Westin Hotel's Presidential Ballroom. The black-tie dinner is $150 for Mercantile members and $175 for those still foreign to the library's many charms. 513-621-0717. (See Literary.) -- JASON GARGANO

SUNDAY 29
Any time you have the opportunity to witness a dog/human look-alike contest, you're guaranteed to see some weirdoes. You're also guaranteed to see some sassy matching outfits, especially if the contest is part of a DOGGY COSTUME PAW-RADE. Yes, that's right, "Paw-rade." Cute name, but not as cute as teeny, tiny glamour pets dressed up as pumpkins. On Sunday afternoon, this pooch parade turns MainStrasse into dorky dog-mom heaven. Bring your floral scented poop bag. The registration fee to participate in the parade is a measly $5, but this includes the chance to win lifetime bragging rights and the coveted "Best Costume" prize, "Most Original Costume" prize or the "Dog/Owner Look-Alike" prize. All registration fees benefit the Kenton County Animal Shelter, which also will be providing a Runway Doggie Fashion Show (doubling as a platform for new pet adoptions), a nail-clipping booth and a micro-chipping booth. Noon-4 p.m. 859-491-0458. (See Halloween.) -- MAIJA ZUMMO

Photo By Carol Rosegg

SUNDAY 29
When he was growing up, comic BRUCE BRUCE was more than a class clown. "I was class clown, church clown, barber shop clown," he explains by phone from Atlanta. Just observing friends and family has always provided a wealth of material, which he doesn't even need to embellish. "No, no, it's true," he insists. "I (had an) uncle, he was 5-foot-2 and about a 75 in the waist. At Christmas he would dance for about 10 seconds. Some music would come on, he would get up and use the restroom, dance, come back and sit back down. That's all he ever did." The workplace was similarly fruitful. "I used to work for Frito-Lay, and we had corporate meetings. I would imitate everyone in the meeting (afterward). One guy told me, 'I watch comedy all the time. You need to go on stage.' I did, and I knew right then I should have been there all my life." Bruce Bruce performs as part of the BAD BOYS OF COMEDY TOUR at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Music Hall. The show is hosted by Doug E. Fresh, Chris Thomas and Mike Bonner. $37.75-$42.75. 513-721-8222. (See Onstage.) -- P.F. WILSON

MONDAY 30
East meets West as Northern Kentucky University hosts the internationally heralded, New Jersey-based NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY at NKU's Corbett Theatre. Bringing an exotic blend of traditional Chinese forms and contemporary stylings to the stage, Taiwanese choreographer/dancer Chen cites her own journey of immigration as a powerful influence. Although the works feature unmistakably Chinese elements -- the Lion seen in Chinese New Year celebrations, a fan and handkerchief dance, a story of a Han general who'd once been abducted by Manchurians -- audiences can expect a visual feast of color, energy and motion that transcends cultures and categories. Consider an I-Ching quote, "The Tao is ever changing, alternating movement without rest." As nature unfolds at a vibrant pace, so does our life's journey. (Note: Don't confuse this ensemble with H.T. Chen and Dancers, who will perform at the Aronoff Center in November.) $10, $6 for students. 859-572-5464. (See Onstage.) -- JULIE MULLINS