Damascus, Strawdog Theatre Company, through June 23. A terrorist bomber and an airport shuttle-driver on a night drive from Minneapolis to Chicago makes for an edge-of-your-seat thriller in this word premiere from Bennett Fisher. MSB
A New Attitude: Tribute to Patti LaBelle, Black Ensemble Theater, through June 17. Geechie, geechie, ya-ya tata! Even the audience was doing pre-curtain vocal warm-ups at the show needing two soloists to portray this multitalented fab-fashion superstar. MSB
The Laramie Project, Raven Theatre, through July 8. It's been nearly 20 years since Matthew Shepard's murder in Laramie, Wyoming. Moises Kaufman's docudrama about the killing remains urgent as ever. Aston Rep's cast has the power to make it soar and shatter. CES
Wild Women of Wongo, through July 14. Dave Ogrin's B-movie-inspired romp through the galaxies features astronauts lost in space, dancing, games, prizes and a score by a former sound/mix engineer for the likes of Run DMC and Public Enemy. CES
By Barnidge and Sullivan