An Allentown theater company streams a production of the John Patrick Shanley comedy, “Four Dogs and a Bone,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 8.

It is the first virtual production from Between The Lines Studio Theatre, founded by Eric Hersh and Rachel Williams.

Hersh says the company was pleased with the success of its recent streaming event, “Donating Dolls,” a virtual drag show benefiting the Martha P. Johnson Institute.

“That was our first exploration into the COVID digital age of current performance,” says Hersh. “We reached people throughout the U.S. It was great to see ticket sales from Massachusetts, Florida, California.”

The company had planned to produce “Doubt,” also by John Patrick Shanley, before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown.

“We wanted to explore more of his work,” Hersh says. “The small cast size allows us to be safe and ensure the healthy and safety of everyone involved.”

In the play, Brenda, a seemingly inexperienced actress, takes a meeting with Bradley, a troubled, desperate movie producer, to discuss the film on which they are working.

Brenda wants to be a star, but Collette, the other actress in the film, is in her way.

Collette has her own agenda and tries to convince Victor, the film’s screenwriter, to alter the film so she can be the heroine. Victor, an Off-Off Broadway playwright, doesn’t know how to handle any of this.

“The piece also speaks to the desperation of doing what it takes to get the job done,” Hersh says. “And it is funny.

“We need that more than anything right now,” says Hersh.

The play is directed by Kelly Herbert James and stars Kate Pistone as Brenda, Jason Roth as Bradley, Williams as Colette and Hersh as Victor.

The play is being filmed at the theater’s building, 725 N. 15th St., Allentown.

Tickets: www.showtix4u.com/event-details/41669

Virtual Poe:

Star of the Day Productions is celebrating Halloween with a live streamed performance of “Hocus Poe-cus,” 8 p.m. Oct. 30.

The performance features dramatic readings of works by Edgar Allan Poe by members of the Lehigh Valley theater community.

Host is Lord Damian MacDonovan, “a 300-plus-year-old Scottish Vampire.” MacDonovan is played by Benjamin Ruth, who has appeared at haunted houses and hosted horror movie marathon “screamings.”

Readings include “The Raven,” “Annabel Lee,” “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Performers include Kirsten Almeida, Courtney Bodnar, Jerry Brucker, Darlyn Diaz, Zack Einstein, Krista Metter, Ricky Negron and Tatiana Torres.

Tickets: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=sdep

Cedar Crest “Doll’s House”:

Cedar Crest College Performing Arts is presenting a live performance of “A Doll’s House Part 2,” 7 p.m. Oct. 29-31 and 2 p.m. Oct. 29-Nov. 1, Samuels Theatre, Tompkins College Center

The play, written in 2017 by Lucas Hnath, contemplates what might have happened after the conclusion of Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play. “A Doll’s House.”

The play begins with a knock on the door (the door that was slammed shut in Ibsen’s play) 15 years earlier when Nora left at the end of Ibsen’s play.

Nora has returned, and has become a successful feminist novelist. She is back to finalize her divorce from Torvald, whom she needs to sign the legal papers. Nora is questioned about what she has been doing, as her family and the nursemaid react.

The play received eight 2017 Tony Award nominations, receiving one Tony (Laurie Metcalf, Actress in a Featured Role).

The show, directed by Clair M. Freeman, will be performed socially distanced and with face shields.

There is limited seating. The performances will be live-streamed.

Tickets: http://www.cedarcrest.edu/stage; 610-606-4600

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com