Break A Leg

Early buzz on scenic designer Robert Kovach’s set for Noises Off, which launches Phoenix Theatre’s 90th season, is that the set is a real stunner. And it needs to be — because the set in Michael Frayn’s play-within-a-play is a principal character, just as important as the leading lady (in this case, the always-funny Cathy Dresbach, who must mug up a storm as Dotty, an actress “of a certain age”) or the director (Actors Theatre’s estimable Matthew Wiener). Frayn’s farce, once made into a perfectly terrible movie starring Carol Burnett, is one of the funniest stage plays ever written — managing to make a backstage circus into a comic carnival, thanks to that revolving set, which allows the audience to watch thespians at play.

Considering its cast and pedigree, Noises Off will undoubtedly prove popular with audiences and may well be extended. For now, it plays through September 12, at Phoenix Theatre.

Wed., Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 27, 8 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 28, 3 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 29, 2 p.m.; Wed., Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 3, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 4, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 5, 2 & 6:30 p.m.; Tue., Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 10, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 11, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 12, 2 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 18, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 19, 2 p.m., 2010