A couple of beloved musicals, drama, and adult fare spice up the offerings on O'ahu stages in the next several days. Here's a look.

CUTTING LOOSE

Manoa Valley Theatre begins its season with the musical "Footloose," based on the original movie screenplay written by Hawai'i's Dean Pitchford.

The triumphant fish-out-of-water story revolves around Ren McCormack, a troubled Chicago teen who lands with his newly divorced mother in a tiny Southern Baptist town where dancing is prohibited. That is, until the dance-loving Ren persuades everyone otherwise.

"Footloose" is directed and choreographed by Deanna Luster.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 14-15, 21-22; 8 p.m. Sept. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24; and 4 p.m. Sept. 11, 18, 25. Tickets are $30 general; $25 for seniors and military; $15 for those 25 and younger. 988-6131, www.manoavalleytheatre.com.

LUCK BE A LADY

The colorful musical "Guys and Dolls" kicks off the Army Community Theatre season at Fort Shafter's Richardson Theatre. The tale is about charming and fast-talking gamblers in a Damon Runyon-esque New York City and their love lives, and includes the catchy hit song "Luck Be a Lady." Glenn Cannon directs.

Leading the cast are Jim Hutchison as gambler Nathan Detroit, Lenny Klompus as rival Sky Masterson, Shari Lynn as Miss Adelaide (sweetheart of Nathan for 14 years) and Tina Shelton as Sarah Brown (the upright, innocent young woman who is wooed by Sky on a bet).

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sept. 10, 16-17, 23-24. Tickets are $15 and $20 general; $12 and $15 children. 438-4480, www.squareone.org/ACT.

YOUTH THEATER

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth offers a reprise of Y York's "Nothing is the Same," which made its debut in October. The drama, about four youngsters whose lives forever changed by the bombing of Pearl Harbor, launches HTY's new season and christens its new digs, Tenney Theatre at St. Andrew's Cathedral.

After this run at Tenney, the production heads for a sold-out, 11-week tour at Seattle's Children's Theatre.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. today; and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 10, 17, 24. It's recommended for those age 7 and older. Tickets are $16 general, $8 for ages 60 and older and ages 3-18, two-for-one for military. 839-9885.

WITCH HUNT

The provocative "Vinegar Tom" opens the season at the University of Hawai'i's Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. Written by Caryl Churchill and directed by UH theater faculty member Lurana Donnels O'Malley, "Vinegar" focuses on women's roles in society by juxtaposing a 1650 witch hunt with 1950s-style music.

This show is recommended for adult audiences because of coarse language, violence and the subject matter.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sept. 10, 16-17; and 2 p.m. Sept. 11. There's a post-show rap Sept. 9. Tickets are $10 general; $9 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, students; $3 UHM students. 956-7655.

DARK COMEDY AND DANCE

"Directing Under the Influence" continues at the Leeward Community College Lab Theatre. The dark-comedy production features original 10-minute plays written and directed by prominent Island actors and directors. There's a pre-show, too, including an interactive comedy/dance sequence choreographed by Danielle Paschal of IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre and the turntable talents of DJ Jedi.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. today and Saturday; the pre-show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 general, $5 students. 455-0549.