Those productions include The Threepenny Opera, Is He Dead?, Facing East, Bright Ideas and Songs for a New World. In a statement ICT artistic director Shashin Desai said, "We're pleased to offer our audiences a mix of music, comedy and drama that will both inspire and entertain."

Details about the 2009 season follow:

The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill
Previews Feb. 17, 2009, opens Feb. 20, runs through March 22
"The nefarious thief and murderer Mac the Knife has just gotten married, and his sinister in-laws want his head. . . .The trail-blazing musical collaboration of dramatist Bertolt Brecht and composer Kurt Weill transformed the musical theater with this deliciously dark satire of 'respectable' society that features dashing thieves, saucy prostitutes and lingering melodies.

Is He Dead? by Mark Twain, adapted by David Ives
Previews April 28, opens May 1, runs through May 24
"The West Coast premiere of a newly discovered comedy by the master of American humor, Mark Twain. A struggling artist stages his own death to drive up the price of his paintings in a zany, hilarious and sly critique of the art world. As the riotous scheme unfolds and crazy complications ensue, Twain poses daring questions about fame, greed and the value of art, poking his signature, mischievous fun at everyone involved."

Facing East by Carol Lynn Pearson
Previews June 9, opens June 12, runs through July 23
"Ruth and Alex McCormick are an upstanding Mormon couple reeling from the suicide of their excommunicated homosexual son. But when they meet their dead son's partner for the first time, they must come to terms with their own inner demons and the love they lost." Bright Ideas by Eric Coble
Previews Aug. 25, opens Aug. 28, runs through Sept. 20
"Genevra and Joshua Bradley are convinced that placement in the correct preschool will ensure their soon-to-be four-year old son's future success in life. Although the Bradleys registered their son for Bright Ideas Early Childhood Development Academy on the day he was born, he's still stuck on the waiting list, so the fretting couple takes matters into their own hands - with dire and downright Shakespearean results."

Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown
Previews Oct. 13, opens Oct. 16, runs through Nov. 8
"Soaring melodies and irresistible rhythms mark this collection of story-songs by composer Jason Robert Brown (13, Parade). Sixteen driving, exquisitely crafted songs tell 16 unique stories peopled by characters of today - songs for a new world."

For more information call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.ictlongbeach.org.