Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.'s latest production, "Compulsion, or the House Behind," may be a bit esoteric for a broad audience. The biggest challenge is getting past a spectral puppet of Holocaust victim Anne Frank, who — figuratively and literally — shares a bed with the lead couple.

It's the theater company equivalent to an extravagant coming out party, a la MTV's "My Super Sweet 16." After eight years of producing youth-oriented Broadway revue shows, the Blue Light Players, a nonprofit musical theater company, is entering the world of adult theater with an ambitious production of "Chicago." In an interesting twist, a musical about the birth of the celebrity criminal will provide financial support to the families of fallen and injured law enforcement officers.

"Sleuth," Riverwalk Theatre's latest production, is a classic cat-and-mouse story that remains entertaining, despite being somewhat dated.

It seems like productions of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" are outnumbering actual spelling bees lately. But if you're concerned that Over the Ledge Theatre Co.'s production of the show will be just another adaptation, your fears are completely unfounded. The committed cast and cute script will have you completely hooked by the second musical number.