On Lehigh Valley stages, Touchstone Theatre of Bethlehem premieres an original show about musical aliens, and Lehigh Valley student actors lead Kutztown University in a jukebox musical.

Touchstone Theatre is staging “HeadEye: The Musical,” Feb. 29 to March 10. The musical in its world premiere has music by Jason E.R. Hedrington, a Touchstone Theatre Ensemble Member.

Four years ago, Hedrington released a solo album “Earth Girls” under the name HeadEye. Hedrington, inspired by concept albums such as Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” produced his album as if it was a musical, albeit with a cast of intergalactic characters.

The album follows the exploits of HeadEye, a one-eyed alien stationed on Earth to observe human culture. Throughout his time on the planet, HeadEye explores what it means to be human, including the ups and downs that come from experiencing love, an emotion that is forbidden on his home planet.

Touchstone Theatre Artistic Director Jp Jordan and Touchstone Theatre Ensemble Member Christopher Shorr fell in love with Hedrington’s album and set out to transform it into a full-fledged musical, with the Touchstone twist.

“It’s going to be a wild ride, and an experience our audience has never had before,” says Shorr.

“We’re bringing Jason’s characters and music to life with more technical elements than typical Touchstone shows. There’s a bigger set, more complex lighting, integrated video and outlandish costumes. It’s full of terrific music and theatrical surprises that will have folks humming and giggling,” Shorr says.

The show is described as part classic Broadway musical, part burlesque show, and part puppet-filled love story wrapped up in a rollicking space adventure.

“If you are a fan of ‘The Pan Show,’ ‘Bhudoo,’ ‘Dictators for Dummies’ or even ‘Christmas City Follies’ (but think more adult), you should feel right at home with ‘HeadEye: The Musical,’ says Jordan, adding, “It’s Touchstone’s comedic sensibilities and imagination firing on all cylinders.”

The friendly alien race from the planet Tralfmadoria first appeared in Bethlehem during Touchstone’s “Festival UnBound.”

In “HeadEye: The Musical,” HeadEye (Hedrington) and the Tralfamadorians embark on a trip through intergalactic space where they face daring exploits, dastardly villains, dramatic thrills and the most terrifying thing of all: love.

The show runs 90 minutes.

Before the performance, try “an out-of-this-world mocktail” and experience playing a Theremin.

There will be a talk-back with cast and crew after the March 8 performance.

On Thursdays, Touchstone offers a pay-what-you-will ticket at the door.

“HeadEye: The Musical” is recommended for adults because of sexual content and references to drug use.

“HeadEye: The Musical,” 8 p.m. Feb. 29, March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9; 2 p.m. March 3, 10, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem. Tickets: 610-867-1689, https://touchstone.org/

Kutztown University’s Actors Creating Theater (ACT) presents the Tony Award-nominated hit musical “Rock of Ages,” Feb. 23 and 24.

“Rock of Ages” utilizes classic rock songs from the 1980s, especially those of glam metal bands and performers. The musical has songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, Poison and Europe. Songs include “Don’t Stop Believin,’” “Any Way You Want It,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Cum On Feel the Noize,” ““Wanted Dead or Alive” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”

Marquett Ferell of Bethlehem and Emily Novak of Emmaus play star-crossed lovers in the story that takes place in Hollywood at the end of the 1980s. The party has been raging hard at the Bourbon Room, one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues where aspiring musician Drew Boley (Ferell) is a bus boy in the club but dreams of fame on the stage.

When small-town girl Sherri Christian (Novak) arrives fresh off the bus from Kansas to find her own fame and fortune, Drew is smitten.

Meanwhile, a pair of German developers arrive with plans to turn The Strip into a strip mall. As the Bourbon Room’s owner Dennis Dupree (Mason Snyder) and his right-hand man Lonny (Quinton Sheneman) try to head off the developers, they convince rock star Stacee Jaxx (Adam Steppke) to perform his final show with his band at the Bourbon Room. With the help of city planner Regina Koontz (Carlee Bonanno), everyone is trying to save The Strip before it’s too late.

Cast members include Karina Hernandez of Salisbury Township, Brianna Hoysan of Schnecksville, Ericka Csencsits of Northampton, Grace Spellacy of Allentown, Jillian Petrie of Alburtis and Bryan Correia of Easton.

Director Brandon Chantrill says ACT was founded 10 years ago to give Kutztown University students an opportunity to perform in campus theater productions.

“ACT is an entirely student-led club dedicated to keeping the magic of theater alive at Kutztown University,” Chantrill says. “All parts of the production, from directing, choreography, set design and more, are student-led.”

“Rock of Ages,” 7 p.m. Feb. 23; 2, 7 p.m. Feb. 24. Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown. Tickets: 610-683-4092, https://kutztown.universitytickets.com/

“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