the stage

ANIMAL FARM, adapted, through improvisation, mime, and "Chamber Theater style narration," from George Orwell. There was a cartoon version of Animal Farm made years ago by some Trotskyist or Cold Warrior who tacked on an ending in which the animals throw the pigs out and live happily ever after. This is fine for the animals, but piss-poor for the movie. This version, however, is merely "a devastating attack on the pig-headed rulers of an imaginary totalitatian state." Pig-headed, get it? Opens tonight at 8 at the Boston Repertory Theater, Marlboro and Berkeley Streets in Boston, in repertory with Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince.

A DOLL'S HOUSE, by Henrik Ibsen. This is a play of which I have only seen the Claire Bloom movie, which I liked, though The Crimson's reviewer did not. There is now a Jane Fonda movie as well. A great play. MIT Community Players. Opens tonight at 8 at the Kresge Little Theater at MIT.

MAN FOR MAN. An original musical farce by Michael Bronski, directed by Lee Abraham. Opens tonight at 8 at the Loeb Ex, where tickets are free if you get them a day in advance, and generally even if you don't.

MOON CHILDREN, by Michael Weller. This is really fine--funny, sad, and as accurate a portrayal of student life as you're likely to see on the stage. If you already know what student life is like, but don't object to good comedies, you'll enjoy it anyway, 7:30 at the New Theater, 12 Holyoke Street.

THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, by Bertolt Brecht. This is being done at Dartmouth this weekend and next, which is pretty far afield to be listed in The Crimson. The play is the most moving socialist statement I have ever read, so I'm listing it, just in case you have friends at Dartmouth.

SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, by Luigi Pirandello. This play is a classic of the modern theater; since I know nothing else about it, I refrain from further comment. Opens tomorrow at 8:30, Hill House, 74 Joy Street, Boston. VERONICA'S ROOM, by the author of Rosemary's Baby, whose name escapes me. A thriller, bound for Broadway. At the Colonial Theater in Boston.