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Critic’s picks: Fall theater

On horseback, Grayson DeJesus (left) and Michael Wyatt Cox in the national touring production of “War Horse,” which comes to the Boston Opera House in October.BRINKHOFF/MöGENBURG

THE KITE RUNNER  Adapted by Matthew Spangler from Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel of guilt and redemption, set against the recent history of Afghanistan. Directed by Elaine Vaan Hogue and featuring Nael Nacer, Ken Baltin, Johnnie McQuarley, and Luke Murtha.  Sept. 9-30. At New Repertory Theatre, Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, Watertown. 617-923-8487, www.newrep.org

NO ROOM FOR WISHING  A documentary play about the Occupy Boston movement and the broader issues raised by that protest. Created and performed by Danny Bryck, who interviewed activists camped out at Dewey Square, and directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. Co-production by Company One and Central Square Theater.  Sept. 13-22: At Plaza Black Box Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston; 617-933-8600, www.companyone.org. Sept. 24: At Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Boston; 866-811-4111, www.bostonplaywrights.org. Sept. 30-Oct. 9: At Central Square Theater, Cambridge; 866-811-4111, www.central squaretheater.org

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GOOD PEOPLE   In David Lindsay-Abaire’s taut drama, directed by Kate Whoriskey, a fiftyish, newly unemployed woman from South Boston looks up her old boyfriend, now a physician living in the affluent suburbs with his young wife. Starring Johanna Day, Michael Laurence, Karen MacDonald, and Nancy E. Carroll.  Sept. 14- Oct. 14. Presented by Huntington Theatre Company. At Boston University Theatre, Boston. 617-266-0800, www.hunting tontheatre.org

THE [EXPLETIVE] WITH THE HAT  A onetime drug dealer, just out of prison, finds it hard to walk the straight and narrow in Stephen Adly Guirgis’s explosive drama, directed by David R. Gammons.  Sept. 14-Oct. 13. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company. At Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston. 617-933-8600, www.speakeasystage.com

MACBETH  Shakespeare’s tragedy of bloodlust and ambition, directed by Paula Plum and starring Allyn Burrows in the title role, with Mara Sidmore as Lady Macbeth. Also featuring Sarah Newhouse, Richard Snee, James Andreassi, and Ross MacDonald.  Oct. 3-Nov. 4. Presented by Actors’ Shakespeare Project. At Chevalier Theatre, Medford. 866-811-4111, www.actorsshakespeare project.org

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WAR HORSE  A British youth traverses the battlefields of World War I in search of his beloved horse, Joey, in this Tony Award winner for best play, which features remarkable life-size horse puppets. Oct. 10-21. Presented by Broadway in Boston. At Boston Opera House, Boston. 800-982-2787, www.broadwayin boston.com

A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE  Martin McDonagh’s play about a man searching for the hand that was cut off decades earlier, and the pair of scam artists in a run-down hotel who claim to have that missing hand.  Oct. 12-27. Presented by Theatre on Fire. At Charlestown Working Theater, Charlestown. 866-811-4111, www.theatreonfire.org

THE CHOSEN  Adapted by Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner from Potok’s novel about two Jewish boys from different backgrounds and traditions coming of age in 1940s Brooklyn.  Oct. 19-Nov. 17. At Lyric Stage Company, Boston. 617-585-5678, www.lyric stage.com

BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO  Shortly after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, a soldier finds himself haunted by the ghost of a tiger he has slain. Rajiv Joseph’s play was a Pulitzer Prize finalist two years ago and ran on Broadway in 2011. Directed by Shawn LaCount.  Oct. 19-Nov. 17. Presented by Company One. At Plaza Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston. 617-933-8600, www.company one.org

SEQUENCE 8   The Montreal-based contemporary circus troupe Les 7 Doigts de la Main, last seen in Boston with the dazzling “PSY,’’ returns with a new piece that blends acrobatics, theater, and dance.  Sept. 27-Oct. 7. Presented by ArtsEmerson. At Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston. 617-824-8400, www.artsemerson.org

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TED HUGHES’ TALES FROM OVID  A remounting of Whistler in the Dark Theatre’s 2010 adaptation, which was widely acclaimed for its energy, imagination, and air of excitement. Directed by Meg Taintor. Nov. 8-18. Presented by Arts-Emerson. At Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre, Paramount Center, Boston. 617-824-8400, www.artsemerson .org

THE LILY’S REVENGE  Written by and starring Taylor Mac alongside an ensemble of more than 30 that includes Remo Airaldi, Thomas Derrah, John Kuntz, and Meghan McGeary, this is a five-act blend of dance, verse, music, and film.  Oct. 12-28. Presented by American Repertory Theater. At Oberon, Cambridge. 617-547-8300, www .am ericanrepertorytheater.org

THE HOW AND THE WHY  Playwright Sarah Treem explores the issues facing women in science through the prism of the relationship between a renowned evolutionary biologist and an ambitious graduate student. Directed by Daniel Gidron.  Sept. 27-Oct. 21. Presented by Nora Theatre Company. At Central Square Theater, Cambridge. 866-811-4111, www.centralsquare
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A BRIGHT NEW BOISE  Set in a chain store called the Hobby Lobby, Samuel D. Hunter’s play focuses on a seemingly bland fellow who is intent on summoning the Rapture. Directed by David J. Miller. Sept. 28-Oct. 20. Presented by Zeitgeist Stage Company. At Plaza Black Box Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston. 617-933-8600, www.zeitgeist stage.com

HAMLET  A fast-paced, 2½ -hour production of Shakespeare’s most loquacious play, in which actors shoulder multiple roles. From Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.  Oct. 9-21. Presented by ArtsEmerson. At Paramount Center Mainstage, Boston. 617-824-8400, www .artsemerson.org

DON AUCOIN