Regen Wilson as Orson Welles in 'The War of the Worlds' (Photo: Ian C. Armstrong)

The War of the Worlds
Scena Theatre at the H Street Playhouse
Because Orson Welles' original broadcast of War of the Worlds was so perfectly engineered to frighten the masses, Scena's additions needlessly dilute the play – The theatrical version of having a face for the radio. Director Robert MacNamara takes us inside the CBS studio where a team of actors and Welles are performing the radio drama. A chorus of characters sits in the audience and interjects the radio scenes with descriptions of how frightened they were – one blandly says, "I was very frightened" – and it breaks up the rhythm of the studio antics, which are far more interesting. Furthermore, all of the members of the chorus are women, and all of the performers in the studio are men, which gives the whole production an icky feeling that the gents are playing an elaborate, terrifying prank on gullible women.

House of Gold
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
Our fascination with JonBenet Ramsey has now lasted twice as long as her life, a sad fact that playwright Gregory S. Moss attempts to explain in his captivating world premiere of House of Gold. Moss doesn't make any judgments as to whom the child beauty queen's killer might be – he points a finger at both a strange pedophile and her ransom note-crafting mother. Instead, he casts aspersions upon us, for being a public all too willing to permit a child to be sexualized at a young age in order to compete in the very adult pastime of judging beauty and bodies for sport. Kaaron Briscoe, who plays the little girl with grace, draws us gradually into her world, until finally we see it as she does: When your looks are a liability, not an asset, even the best-intentioned grown-ups do monstrous things.

Oklahoma!
Arena Stage
Arena Stage forges their new territory with old territory – this classic, sentimental musical about settlers at the turn of the century, and which director Molly Smith casts in a new light. This Oklahoma better reflects the state today, with a multi-ethnic cast that gives meaty roles to E. Faye Butler (Aunt Eller) Eleasha Gamble (Laurey) and Nicholas Rodriguez (Curly). The show's greatest strength lies in its choreography by Parker Esse, which is exuberant: Will Parker (Cody Williams) is so overjoyed, he does backflips. Williams and June Schreiner, the high school junior who plays Ado Annie with a comedic talent beyond her years, nearly overshadow Curly and Laurie's love story. When you hear the signature song, "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'," it feels like it's being sung just for Smith.

One Night with Fanny Brice
The American Century Theatre at Gunston Theater Two
Fanny Brice's life was one lived on stage: first in the Ziegfeld Follies, then as a singer, and then on Broadway – all while also starring in the top-rated radio show The Baby Snooks Show, which she created. Her star burned so brightly that even after her death, she lives on in theater – famously portrayed by Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl, and now in the American Century Theatre's tribute to her theatrical life.

Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer
National Portrait Gallery
Elvis' portraitist, Alfred Wertheimer, was only five years older than him when he followed the singer around for this series, just as his fame was beginning to reach a frenzied pitch. He captures quiet moments on trains and backstage – a difficult thing to do, because the singer was always "on." Wertheimer even seem to be a bit jealous of Elvis, which comes through in his photos, like a few shots of him making out with a girl that the photographer notes he has just met. His focus on the girl was so intense that it were as if Wertheimer had disappeared, even though he was standing only a few feet away, clicking.

Women Beware Women
Constellation Theatre Company at the Source
It's the last week to see Constellation Theatre Company's trio of power-hungry, morally depraved women as they vie for social standing in 17th century Florence. The three – played by Katy Carkuff, Sheila Hennessey, and Caley Milliken – come together at a masked ball that quickly turns into a slasher movie. The production design is said to be inspired by gothic romance of Tim Burton.

On the Fringe: Eye on Edinburgh
The Kennedy Center
Fall Fringe isn't the only game in town. Our hometown heroes of scrappy, DIY theater have been visited by the original Fringe: the folks from Edinburgh, who have brought five of their plays to this side of the pond. One remains in the Kennedy Center's run of the festival, which ends Nov. 13: "Midsummer," a romantic comedy about becoming middle aged.