ASHTABULA — Six plays, including comedies, drams and musicals, will encompass the Ashtabula Arts Center season.

The season opener will be the sci-fi musical, “Zombies from the Beyond,” directed by Clay Nielsen. In this musical comedy, with book, music and lyrics by James Valcq, the laughs abound in the unlikeliest of settings as the Cold War and space race paranoia threaten the good folks at the

fictional Milwaukee Space Center in 1955,

The budding romance of rocket scientist Trenton Corbett and Mary Malone, the daughter of the Space Center commander, is jeopardized when a flying saucer lands in Milwaukee, piloted by the alien Zombina, who is bent on procuring he-specimens to repopulate her planet. Can Mary uphold her lady-like demeanor while saving Milwaukee from a

Red Menace and a flying saucer invasion? Can the stalwart men of Milwaukee survive brainwashing by a musical menace from another world? Taking its cue from pulp movies popular at the time, “Zombies from the Beyond” brings the 1950s nostalgically and hilariously to life with a tuneful, toe-tapping score. Performances will be held on Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18.

Next up: will conjur memories of Bilbo Baggins, his wizard and dwarf companions and their arduous

journey to reclaim treasure from the evil dragon Smaug when “The Hobbit” comes to the stage. Adapted by Patricia Gray from J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic tale, “The Hobbit,” directed by Douglas Anderson of Ashtabula will be performed on Nov. 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 15.

G. B. Community Theatre will take a short break in December but the stage will nevertheless be filled with activity when Ballet Theatre Ashtabula once again presents the traditional favorite “The Nutcracker” Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21. “Nutcracker” performances are held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.

“The Miracle Worker” will open Jan. 23 with additional performances on Jan. 24, 25, 30, 31, February 1, 6 and 7th. Directed by Stephen Rhodes of Conneaut, this stirring dramatization by William Gibson tells the story of Helen Keller. One of the most successful and warmly admired plays “The Miracle Worker” is filled with some of the most turbulent, violent, and emotion-packed scenes ever presented on the stage!

The weekend of Valentines Day brings a special treat with a gallery show playing for one weekend only. “Tuesdays with Morrie” is the stirring and heartfelt autobiographical story of an accomplished journalist and his

former college professor who is battling Lou Gehrig's Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life.

Directed by Tom Milligan, the play was written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom and is based on the bestselling book by Mitch Albom. Performances will be held Feb. 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Also opening in February is the high energy musical “Crazy for You.” With music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin and book by Ken Ludwig, the story tells of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy, who dreams of becoming a dancer. The production includes such familiar and favorite tunes as “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can't Take That Away from Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and more. Directed by Douglas Anderson of Ashtabula, the show will play on Feb. 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, March 1, 6, and 7.

Following last winter's successful production, G. B. Community Theatre will close their season with “An Evening of One Acts,” a series of one-act plays. Directed by Ray Beach of Ashtabula, the individual play titles will be announced at a later date. “One Acts” can be seen March 27, 28, 29, April 3, 4 and 5.

All G. B. Community Theatre show performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. All Sunday matinees will begin at a new time this year, 2 p.m. Individual show tickets are now on sale. Subscription packages are also available at a discount off of the regular box office prices.