You might know a little about Irelands struggle for independence, but few people know many of the details. "The Revolution: The Irish War of Independence 1919-1921" dramatizes it in stark detail. St. Patricks Day traditions make us think of a happy, easygoing people. But the Irish have had a difficult history.

The Crowded Kitchen Players latest production at Bethlehems IceHouse on Sand Island is a live documentary. The players in the ensemble take turns telling the Irish story with facts and dramatizations.

A screen above the stage shows historical scenes and photographs of the actual participants. The latter includes the grandfather of cast member Fiona Galligan Sweeney.

"The Revolution" is the second part of a trilogy of plays written by director Ara Barlieb about the Irish struggle for independence from England. The first play, 2022s "The Rising," was about the insurrection staged on Easter Monday of 1916, which began in Dublin.

"The Laramie Project" is haunting, impassioned theater filled with raw emotion, that is delivered by a profoundly moving cast at Northampton Community College theater department. The play that looks at a horrific hate crime by examining the many people who lived in the very ordinary town in which it happened, is on the colleges Norman Roberts Lab Theatre through March 11.

Although the campus is reeling from the sudden death of Bill Mutimer, the head of the colleges theater department, it was decided "the show must go on."

Brett Oliveira, the shows technical director, spoke before the show, saying "Bill was very excited that the college was doing "The Laramie Project" on the 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepards death."

Act 1 DeSales University Theatre has staged an enjoyably laugh-out-loud production of "Twelfth Night" Shakespeares "most perfect comedy" through March 3, on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley.

The cast has fully embraced the broad comedic elements of the show, which explores foolishness in love, with zest and energy.

Alicia Brogan is appealing as Viola, the shipwrecked noblewoman who disguises herself as the page Cesario to get work in Duke Orsinos household. Brogans Viola/Cesario is bemused and clever as both a woman and a man, and Brogan imbues the role with a strength of character. As the man with whom Viola falls in love, Shawn Laub's Duke Orsino is laconic, but ardent.

"Into the Woods" gets a delightful and satisfying interpretation from MunOpCo Music Theater with memorable acting, strong singing, attractive costumes and an eye-catching set.

The classic Stephen Sondheim musical is at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown, through Feb. 25.

The musical takes well-known fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella, follows them to their conclusion and then darkly imagines what happens after "happily ever after."