Concluding Dec. 17

Burning (Off-Broadway at the Acorn Theatre). Burning stars Tony nominee Hunter Foster, Stephen Tyrone Williams, Andrew Garman, Danny Mastrogiorgio and Evan Johnson. In searing and graphic tales of self-invention and sexual identity, Burning attacks the pretenses of the worlds of art and theatre. Visit TheNewGroup.

Concluding Dec. 18

Venus in Fur (Broadway at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre). Nina Arianda (Born Yesterday) dazzled audiences last year in the play's Off-Broadway run as a talented young actress whose seductive audition turns into a power struggle. Catch the production, also starring Hugh Dancy, before it opens again on Broadway for a commercial run beginning Feb. 7, 2012, at the Lyceum Theatre. Visit MTC.

Asuncion (Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre). Asuncion is the new comedy starring and written by Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg. "Edgar and Vinny are not racist," according to press notes. "In fact, Edgar maintains a blog condemning American imperialism and Vinny is three-quarters into a PhD in Black Studies. When a young Filipina woman named Asuncion becomes their new roommate, the pair have a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how open minded they truly are." Visit Rattlestick. The Man Who Came to Dinner (Off-Broadway at the Theatre at St. Clement's). An irascible big-city radio personality (based on Alexander Woollcott) is stuck for several weeks in the home of an unassuming Midwestern family. The stampede of showbiz personalities, reporters and other unlikely visitors – and the barrage of his requests and "advice" – turns life topsy-turvy. Visit ThePeccadillo.

Harry & Eddie: The Birth of Israel (Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple Theatre). Harry & Eddie is a new play that explores how President Harry S. Truman’s friendship with his former business partner, Eddie Jacobson, led to the creation of Israel. Visit Telecharge.

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays (Off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theatre). Standing on Ceremony is a mix of short plays that address the on-going battle for marriage equality throughout the United States. Visit Ticketmaster.

Titus Andronicus (Off-Broadway at the Public Theater/Anspacher Theater). The families of a Roman general and a captive queen become embroiled in a horrific cycle of atrocity and revenge. Titus Andronicus is Shakepeare's earliest tragedy – and  perhaps his most shocking. Visit PublicTheater.