Fall signifies beginnings in classrooms and on stages. So, like a lot of people, maybe more than most, I'm always eager for the first curtain to rise. When I read the press releases from Rochester's different theaters, though, the first thing I did was screw up my nose and scratch my head. That left what passes for my mind free to try to figure out what local companies have in mind for 2009-10. Usually, they aim for a mix of funny and tragic, bravura and intimate, dramatic and musical, all in the space of nine months. But not always.

Case in point: Geva Theater Center (75 Woodbury Blvd, 232-4382, gevatheatre.org) runs a seven-play season on its Mainstage. But the annual plum pudding of a play for Christmas and the commitment to mount all of August Wilson's work in five years uses up two of the slots. Four of the remaining plays are contemporary comedies with small casts, plus a production of Arthur Miller's not-so-hot minor work, "The Price." Artistic director Mark Cuddy says he chose so many comedies to give audiences a lift during troubled times. That's easy to read as spin; only the productions will give us the final word.

The season opener, Stephen Temperley's "Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins" (Through October 4) largely recreates the off- and then on-Broadway production from 2005-same director and same cast of two-including the glorious Judy Kaye as the real-life Jenkins, the wealthy self-styled opera singer from the 1940's who had a rare gift for missing the right note, tempo, and rhythm every time she opened her mouth. She was perfectly awful, and Kaye, who in other days would probably have been a big Broadway star (talk about an endangered species), has apparently got the character and the singing nailed. You think it's easy to sing that badly night after night! The question: is this a one-joke play or have writer, director, and cast adequately explored the relationship between Jenkins and her accompanist and only friend, Cosme McMoon?

Now entering the fourth of its five-year commitment to perform all 10 of August Wilson's plays, Geva has reached 1968 with "Two Trains Running" (March 30-April 25), perhaps the most optimistic of the plays. It confronts the volatile mix of racial conflict and the Vietnam War that nearly tore this country apart. The Wilson project is so laudable that I hope Geva will consider using it as a model for reviving the work of other 20th century American playwrights. How about several years' worth of Eugene O'Neill or George S. Kaufman, or even some of Neil Simon's best plays to begin to take his measure now that he's in his 80s?

Bragging rights for the most demanding slate of plays belong to CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center (1200 Edgewood Ave, 461-2000 x235, jccrochester.org), everything from David Mamet's satiric "Speed the Plow" (October 17-31) wherein the pursuit of money and power lead to coruscating verbal bloodletting, to Israel Horowitz's "Lebensraum" (March 6-14) with its unsettling but highly theatrical look at what happens when 6 million Jews suddenly move to modern-day Germany. Horowitz has had the chutzpah-as perhaps only a Jewish writer could-to make such a subject funny. Artistic director Ralph Meranto also has a world premiere on the docket, Hank Kimmel's comedy, "Welcome to the Neighborhood" (December 12-January 2). Among those who inhabit the ‘hood are a soccer mom, a pizza guy, a shopping mall Santa, and a small town pharmacist, et al. It sounds perilously close to the three S's-sitcom, stereotype, and sentimentality-but Meranto says the writing is too smart for easy labeling.

The big story from Blackfriars (795 E Main St, 454-1260, blackfriars.org) is its intimate new theater (with lavatories now close enough not to require a backpack and a passport), home to two strikingly different musicals that frame the season. First comes "Zorba" (September 19-October 10) a boisterous but largely conventional musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb, but Artistic Director John Haldoupis is too fond of the edgy (and even the cutting edgy) not to end the season with something as challenging as "A New Brain" (May 1-22) complete with William Finn's partially autobiographical score about recuperating from brain surgery. Fortunately, Haldoupis has a reputation for getting it mostly right with a mixed bag of actors.

Nobody opens more theatrical revues than Downstairs Cabaret Theater (20 Windsor St, 325-4370, downstairscabaret.com) in an intimate space well suited to them. This fall has everything from the songs of Janis Joplin and John Denver to "Swing for Victory," featuring the songs of World War II. Styles obviously change over 65 years, and the romantic wartime ballads lack Joplin's explosive grit and Denver's folksy sincerity, but few songs have had more convincing appeal than "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "I'll Walk Alone." Forget the hokey jive tunes, the 40's ballads about loneliness and longing gave millions of people an emotional mirror of their lives-and continue to touch the rest of us.

[ CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS ] COMPILED BY KATHY LALUK

Artists Unlimited is dedicated to bringing children with developmental disabilities into the theater, and this year's fall show is "Cinderella," Nov 6-14 at the German House Theater, 315 Gregory St. 442-6800, thegermanhouse.com.

Batavia Players stages "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," the musical based on the "Peanuts" comic strip, Dec 18-19 at Batavia High School. | Coming in 2010: "Richard III" (Mar), "The Importance of Being Earnest" (May), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."| 343-9313 ext. 31, players@rochester.rr.com, bataviaplayers.org.

Batavia Rotary Club puts on a performance of Rodger and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" Nov 5-8. Batavia High School, 260 State St, Batavia. Thu-Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. $15. 344-5880.

Black Sheep Theatre Coalition The young but ambitious theater troupe stages Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" weekends Sep 25-Oct 10 at Village Gate Square, 274 N. Goodman St. | Coming in 2010: "Agatha Christie's ‘Murder on the Nile'" (Jan), a double-bill of "Sorry...Wrong Number" and "In Memoriam" (May). 746-76-16, blacksheeptheatre.org.

Blackfriars Theatre moves into its new, much more accessible, theater space on East Man Street with "Zorba: The Musical" (Sep 19-Oct 10), followed by "According to Goldman" (Nov 7-21), about a film student obsessed with Fred Astaire; "The Magic Corridor" (Dec 5-19), a family holiday show; and "The Santaland Diaries" (Dec 5-19), a one-man holiday show based on the story by David Sedaris. | Coming in 2010: "The Violet Hour" (Jan-Feb), "Crimes of the Heart" (Mar-Apr), "A New Brain" (May) | Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E Main St.$15-$27. 454-1260, blackfriars.org.

Cirque du Soleil: "Alegria" brings the world-renowned performance troupe to Rochester with its arena show featuring acrobatics, juggling, contortionism, dancing, and more in a highly theatrical manner. Runs Sep 23-27 at Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Sq. $32-$95. 232-1900, bluecrossarena.com, cirquedusoleil.com.

Downstairs Cabaret Theater will continue with the showcase "Cindy Miller: I've Got the Music In Me" (ongoing) and "Country Roads: The Songs of John Denver" (through Oct 18), and bring back the popular Janis Joplin musical "Love, Janis" for a limited run this fall. Also look for "Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class" (late Sep), a celebration of songs from the "Nunsense" musicals; "Swing for Victory" (mid-Oct), a world-premiere musical celebrating the classic sounds of the 1940's; and return engagements for "The Water Coolers" and "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only." | Downstairs Cabaret Theater, 20 Windsor St (and other locations). 325-4370, downstairscabaret.com.

Gates Community Theater stages Meredith Wilsons's "The Music Man" Nov 7-8 at the Hale Auditorium, Roberts Wesleyan College. $8. 247-6100 ext. 234. gatescommunitytheater.org.

Genesee Center for the Arts plays host to the Theatre Association of New York (TANYS) Festival Nov 20-22, featuring performances by community theater groups from throughout the state; it's a good precursor to the national version of the festival, which will come to Rochester in 2011. Also showing: Oct 15-17: "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf" | Nov 12-14: "Student One Acts & Cabaret" | Coming in 2010: "Anasi the Spider and the Middle Passage" (Mar)| "Chicago" (Apr)| Genesee Community College, off Route 48, Batavia. $3-$8.343-0055, genesee.edu.

Geva Theatre Center begins the season with the musical dramedy "Souvenir" (through Oct 4), followed by the domestic comedy "The Clean House" (Oct 13-Nov 8), and the holiday show "A Christmas Story" (Nov 19-Dec 27), brought back for a second straight year by popular demand| Coming in 2010: "Almost Maine" (Jan-Feb), Arthur Miller's "The Price" (Feb-Mar), August Wilson's "Two Trains Running" (Mar-Apr), and the romantic comedy "Five Course Love" (May-Jun), plus the mystery "Under the Lintel" (Feb-Mar) in the Nextstage. | 75 Woodbury Blvd. 232-GEVA, gevatheatre.org.

Henrietta Community Theatre stages the musical comedy "The Fantasticks" Oct 9-24 at Covenant Life Church, 70 Bailey Rd., West Henrietta. $2. 359-1232, henriettacommunitytheatre.homestead.com.

JCC Centerstage starts its season with David Mamet's "Speed the Plow" (Oct 17-31), followed by the world premiere of "Welcome to the Neighborhood" (Dec 12-Jan 2)| Coming in 2010: "Some Enchanted Evening: The World of Rogers and Hammerstein" (Feb), "Lebensraum" (Mar), and "Fiddler on the Roof" (Apr 24-May 16). | 1200 Edgewood Ave. $16-$22. 461-2000, jccrochester.org.

Method Machine stages its Sylvia Plath drama "Edge" Sep 21-28 at MuCCC before taking it on tour; after that it brings back "An Adult Evening with Shel Silverstein" (Sep 24-27 at Nasty D's, 140 Alexander St), premieres the new work "Lipstick Massacre" (Nov 6-14) by Michael Steck (a.k.a. Pandora Boxx), and wraps up the year with the brutal relationship drama "Closer" (Dec 3-12). | Unless otherwise noted all performances at MuCCC, 142 Atlantic Ave. $5-$15. methodmachine.org.

Monroe Community College presents "Yours, Anne," a musical based on "The Diary of Anne Frank," Nov 13-22. | Coming in 2010: Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (Apr 9-11) | MCC Theatre, Building 4, Brighton Campus. $8-$10. 292-2534, monroetickets.com.

MuCCC - the Multi-use Community Cultural Center - continues its first year by playing host to the new Flour City Theatre Company, which puts on its "Can of Worms: Rochester Stories" Sep 24-Oct 2. | Also upcoming: "Exposed - One Woman's Story" (Oct 22-25), "The Lipstick Massacre" by Method Machine (Nov 6-14), and Greater Rochester Repertory Companies' "Love Letters" (Nov 27-29). | 142 Atlantic Ave. 244-0960, muccc.org.

Nazareth College Arts Center will be home to several traveling children's shows, including "The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites" (Nov 19-20) and "Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown" (Nov 23-24), plus shows by home troupe Rochester Children's Theatre (see listing). Also look for political comedy troupe The Capital Steps on Dec 31. | Coming in 2010: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Jan 20-22), "Ed Asner as FDR" (Mar 27), "Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny" (May 20-21). | 4245 East Ave. 389-2170, naz.edu.

Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts begins its season with William Cosgrove's "The Way of the World" (Oct 16-25, Callahan Theater), a romantic farce set during the Restoration period. Also running Nov 12-19 is the Sondheim revue "Side by Side" (Studio Theatre 48) | Coming in 2010: "Kindertransport" (Feb 19-28), "The Rocky Horror Show" (Apr 16-25) | Nazareth College Arts Center, 4245 East Ave. 389-2170, naz.edu.

Neighborhood Acting Company stages the holiday musical "White Christmas" Nov 19-22 Wayne Central Schools Performing Arts Center, Ontario. neighborhoodactingcompany.org.

NTID Performing Arts casts both hearing and deaf actors in its productions. This season look for "Vignettes of the Deaf Character" (Oct 15-18, 1510 Lab Theatre, free) and the psychological drama "Equus" (Nov 5-8). | Coming in 2010: "Little Women" (Jan), "Sleeping Beauty" (Feb), "An Evening of One Acts" (Apr), and "The Bungler" (May). | Panara Theatre, 52 Lomb Memorial Dr., RIT. $5-$7. 475-6254, rit.edu/ntid/theatre.

Off-Monroe Players the local Gilbert & Sullivan troupe presents a double bill of "Trial By Jury" and "The Zoo" Nov 13-22. Location and ticket info TBA. Coming in 2010: "Patience." | 234-0500, off-monroeplayers.org.

Penfield Players stages the time-travel comedy murder mystery "Communicating Doors" Nov 6-21 at Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd. | Coming in 2010: "The Curious Savage" (Feb-Mar, India Community Center), annual melodrama (May), "The Sunshine Boys" (Nov 2010). | $12. 340-8655, penfieldplayers.org.

Pittsford Musicals brings back the venerable Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "Carousel" Nov 14-21 at Pittsford Sutherland High School Auditorium, 55 Sutherland St, Pittsford. 586-1500, pittsfordmusicals.org.

PUSH Physical Theatre presents its original, long-form adaptation of "Dracula" just in time for Halloween, Oct 23-Nov 8. The work is a collaboration between the movement company and local actor/writer Danny Hoskins, retelling the vampiric tale from Renfield's point of view. Geva Theatre Nextstage, 75 Woodbury Blvd. $20. 232-GEVA, pushtheatre.org.

RAPA Playhouse starts the season with two all-ages crowd-pleasers, "Grease" (Sep 25-27) and "Seussical Jr." (Oct 9-10), and then hosts the William Andia Presents production of "6 By 2: An Evening of Short Plays Written by Ed Scutt" (Oct 6-18), and "Songs for a New World" (Nov 12-21). East End Theatre, 727 E. Main St. $10-$15. 325-3366, rapaonline.us.

Rochester Broadway Theatre League starts its season with the musical adaptation of "The Color Purple" (Oct 6-11), then continues with "Chicago" (Nov 10-15), and "Cirque Dreams Holidaze" (Dec 8-13). Outside of the subscription package, look for one-night shows by comic Artie Lange (Oct 23, $35.50-$75.50), magician David Copperfield (Oct 25, $27.50-$49.50), celebrity foodie/author/chef Anthony Bourdain (Nov 20, $42-$52), comedy legend Bill Cosby (Nov 28, $37.50-$57.50) | Coming in 2010: "Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles" (Jan), the Tony-winning musical "Spring Awakening (Feb), crowd-pleaser "Grease" (Mar), and a return engagement for "Wicked" (Apr-May). | Auditorium Theatre, 885 E. Main St. 222-5000, rbtl.org.

Rochester Children's Theatre will participate at the Nazareth Arts Center's Gala on Sep 26, and then kick off its season Dec 12-20 with Rodger's & Hammerstein's "Cinderella," $20-$25. | Coming in 2010: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Jan 16-24), "Peter Pan" (Mar 13-21), and the Holocaust play "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" (May 2). | Nazareth College Arts Center, 4245 East Ave. 389-2170, rochesterchildrenstheatre.org.

School of the Arts Theatre features student productions of murder mystery "The Mousetrap" (Oct 23-Nov 1) and "Pinocchio: The Musical" (Dec 11-13).| Coming in 2010: "Macbeth" (Feb), "Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr." (May). | School of the Arts, 45 Prince St. 324-3535.

SUNY Brockport presents "Bernice/Butterfly," a play in two parts on Sep 25-26, the French farce "Don't Dress for Dinner" Oct 9-24, and brings back its "Stage Directions: Conversations with Theater Professionals" series Oct 22 and Dec 10, before ending the year with Sondheim's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (Dec 4-12)| Coming in 2010: "Arms and the Man" (Feb-Mar), "The Story" (Apr-May). Tower Fine Arts Center, SUNY Brockport. $8-$12. 395-ARTS, brockport.edu/finearts.

SUNY Geneseo starts its season with George Bernard Shaw's "Mrs. Warren's Profession" Sep 29-Oct 4 in the Robert Sinclair Theatre, then continues Oct 2 with a freshman dance/theater showcase at the Alice Austin Theatre, "Alice in Wonderland" presented by VegSOUP Oct 22-24 at Robert Sinclair Theatre, Gilbert & Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance" Nov 18-22 in the Alice Austin Theatre, and then ends the year with "A Nanking Winter," presented Dec 3-5 by GENseng in the Robert Sinclair Theatre. | $7-$10. 245-5824, geneseo.edu.

TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy) starts its sixth season with "Click, Clack, Moo (Cows That Type)" Dec 12-13, based on the Caldecott Award-winning book. | Coming in 2010: "A Year With Frog and Toad" (Jan 16-24), "James and the Giant Peach" (Mar 20-28), "Sleeping Beauty" (May 8). | JCC, 1200 Edgewood Ave. $111-$14. 461-2000 x235, tykestheatre.org.

University of Rochester International Theatre Program kicks off its 20th season with Tony Kushner's adaptation of Pierre Corneille's "The Illusion" (Oct 8-17), followed by UR Performing, a celebration of the college's performance groups, on Oct 23-24 and "Danton's Death" Dec 3-12. | Coming in 2010: One-Act New Play Festival (Mar), and a double-bill of "Criminal Genius" and "Featuring Loretta" (Apr), (double bill). | Todd Theatre on the UR's River Campus, 612 Wilson Blvd. $6.50-13. 275-4088, rochester.edu/theatre.

Webster Theatre Guild will stage "West Side Story" as its annual show Jan 23-30. Webster Thomas High School Auditorium, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. $14-$17. 234-1069, webstertheatreguild.org.