Opening
Byrd Theatre The SPARC New Voices for the Theater program presents its Festival of New Works, the culmination of a residency program for 10 high school playwrights, July 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and July 17 at 11 a.m. Free. 2908 W. Cary St. 788-6446.
Festival of Arts The Dogwood Dell summer arts series continues with the comic drama “Outward Bound,” Sutton Vane’s tale of a voyage on a mysterious ocean liner, at 8:30 p.m., July 14-16. There are also performances of ventriloquism and hip-hop by Tyrone’s World (July 15), Egyptian dance by Azza Mounib of Young Audiences of Virginia (July 17) and Christian rock by Straight Up (July 17). For more information, call 646-3355.
Ongoing
Barksdale Theatre “Anything Goes,” the Cole Porter musical about romance on an ocean liner, Wednesday-Sunday through Aug. 14. Tickets are $34-$38. 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. Call 282-2620 or visit www.barksdalerichmond.org.
ComedySportz “The Empire Rocks Back,” an improv musical parody based on “Star Wars V,” Saturdays through July at 10 p.m. Tickets are $12-$14. 7115A Staples Mill Road. 266-9377.
Empire Theatre Barksdale Theatre and the Living Word Stage Company present an encore presentation of the gospel musical “Crowns” at 8 p.m., running through July 31. Tickets are $34-$38. 114 W. Broad St. 282-2620.
Mystery Dinner Playhouse “Talk Show Murders,” a daytime TV spoof, takes the stage for this dinner theater mystery, Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. inside the Best Western Governor’s Inn. Tickets are $26.95-$36.95. 9826 Midlothian Turnpike. (888) 471-4802.
Richmond Shakespeare Festival Encore! Theatre Company continues the eighth season of Bard-tastic plays at Agecroft Hall and Gardens with “Romeo and Juliet” Thursday-Sunday at 8 p.m. Through July 31. Tickets are $23. 4305 Sulgrave Road. Call (866) 227- 3849 or visit www.richmondshakespeare.com.
Swift Creek Mill Theatre “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” the story of the life and music of the country singer, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. through Aug. 20. Admission is $28.50-$41.25. 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway.
