One Gershwin and Two Sneakers

Lots of goodies this week, folks; a whole slew of shows debut. They range from murder mysteries to multi-media, proving once again what a diverse Center for the Arts Cambridge is, how stimulating a place it is to go to school in, and how appreciative we should be--you get the drift. Seriously, though, there is a nice assortment of drama and ballet this week; if none of the new shows appeal, you can always make do with last week's leftovers.

Are you a Gershwin fan? If so, then the Radcliffe Grant-In-Aid Society's production of Lady Be Good is a must. Boasting music and lyrics by brothers George and Ira Gershwin, Lady Be Good starred the brother and sister dance team of Fred and Adele Astaire when it originally opened in the 1920's--big show for siblings, this. The musical premieres March 9 at the Agassiz Theatre in Radcliffe Yard, and plays Thursday through Saturday until March 18. Tickets available at Holyoke Center; for info. call 495-2663.

One of the trickiest suspense-thrillers in recent theatrical history also opens March 9 at Leverett House. Anthony Shaffer's Sleuth is almost impossible for a viewer to solve--even the playbill is misleading. We really can't say anything else. Sleuth runs March 9,10,11 and 16,17,18 in the Old Library; tickets available at Holyoke Center or at the door.

Sleuth adds a new dimension to the murder mystery genre, but if you'd prefer a classic whodunit, we recommend Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, playing at the Currier House Fishbowl on March 15,16,17 and 22,23,24. The production promises to be a little campy and more than a little chilling. Tickets available at Holyoke Center or at the door.

Prefer something more meaty? Two very different productions address themselves more seriously to the mundane grind. The Loeb Ex presents Chekhov's brooding and beautiful The Seagull tonight, tomorrow and Saturday; tickets are free to this 19th-century naturalist masterpiece. The Cambridge Ensemble hosts an original multi-media show entitled Worksong from March 9 through March 18 at the Ensemble theatre, 1151 Mass. Ave. The show depicts a cross-section of workers with humor and song and sensitivity; for more info. call 876-2544.

Several long runs, both here and in Boston, are still going strong. Closest to home, there's A Thousand Clones, the 130th production of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The Crimson review said--oh, who cares what the review said. Just see it. The show plays nightly except Monday until March 23 at the Hasty Pudding Theatre; after that, you can catch it in Bermuda. Tickets should be bought in advance; call 495-5205 for info. Vanities, a sweet, well-written little play about three girls who grow old but not up is at the Charles Playhouse in Boston (426-6912) for a six-week run. At the opposite end of the spectrum, in terms of opulence, the musical Pippin dazzles nightly at the Shubert Theatre (426-6173 or -4520). Music and lyrics are by Stephen (Godspell) Schwartz, but it's Bob Fosse's direction and choreography that will knock your eye out.

The first Loeb Mainstage production of the semester is the quintessential late '60s musical, with the large added bonus of a brilliant score by Stephen Sondheim. Company is the story of a single man among his married friends, and his shifting feelings about the value of marriage. Paris Barclay's crew is a bit uneven, but all the leads can sing, which is all that a musical really requires. A must for Sondheim freaks--and since there are so many of the, you'd better get your tickets in advance. Tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at 8 (864-2630).

Polish up on your Bibles if you're in the mood for an interesting and wellacted new play, Beginner's Luck, now playing at Reality Theatre in Boston, tonight through Saturday at 8. The play, based on the Biblical tale of power rivalry between King Saul and the shepherd boy David (of Goliath fame), suffers from occasional cloying sweetness and the overuse of improvisational techniques, such as sing-alongs and audience participation, but overall it is moving and provocative.

Leading the list of ballet offerings is Coppelia, one of the all-time classics about a life-like doll that mysteriously comes to life. The Boston Ballet performs it March 9-12 at the Music Hall in Boston; call 542-3945 for ticket info.