The Richmond Shakespeare Theatre opens its 2008-09 season Friday at 8 p.m. with William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in the chapel of Second Presbyterian Church, 5 N. Fifth St.

Ticket prices are $26 for adults, $15 for students. Parking is available in the attached garage. Details or tickets: (866) 227-3849 (toll free) or richmondshakespeare.com.

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Mystery Dinner Playhouse introduces "Who Killed the King," a medieval murder mystery, beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. at its location in the Holiday Inn Crossroads, 2000 Staples Mill Road.

Advance reservations are required. Tickets for adults are $41.95 plus tax; seniors are $35.95 plus tax, children younger than 12 $29.95 plus tax. Tickets: (804) 649-2583, (888) 471-4802 (toll free), or mysterydinner.com.

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"Ready for Right: A Petersburg Story" by kb saine opens at Sycamore Rouge, 21 W. Old St., on Friday at 8 p.m.

The play is an original work about the first civil-rights protest in Petersburg, when the Petersburg Public Library became the center of the struggle for desegregation.

Tickets are $18-$22; groups of 10 or more $15 each. Details: (804) 957-5707 or sycamorerouge.org.

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"It's a Wonderful Life -- the Musical," based on the Frank Capra movie, is scheduled to open Oct. 31 at the Lee Playhouse, Building 4300, Mahone Avenue, Fort Lee.

The cast features Joe Houser as George Bailey, Anita Sharpenstein as Mary Bailey, David Atkins as the jovial angel Clarence Odbody, and Andrea Clark, Kym Mincks, Mike White, Etna Traylor and Ed Coleman.

Tony Sharpenstein is director and choreographer, with music direction by Shirley Townsend.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for youths 16 and younger. Group rates are available for 12 or more. Details: (804) 734-6629.
Send theater information to Walt Amacker at wamacker@timesdispatch.com.