Crowded Kitchen Players presents the third in its trilogy about the Irish Civil War, and DeSales University’s class of 2025 theater majors stage “Robin Hood” for children.

Crowded Kitchen’s original play “An Explosion by the Ballyseedy Woods” runs March 13 to 16, Charles A. Brown Ice House, Bethlehem.

DeSales University’s Act 3’s “Robin Hood” runs March 18 to April 8, Labuda Center For the Performing Arts, Center Valley.

“An Explosion by the Ballyseedy Woods” is the final play in playwright-director Crowded Kitchen Players co-founder Ara Barlieb’s trilogy about the Irish War of Independence from Great Britain. The first two plays are “The Rising,” presented in 2023, and “The Anglo-Irish War for Independence,” staged in 2024.

In the third play, it’s Dublin in the 1920s. After the Irish Civil War, barrister Patrick Costello (David Oswald) reviews military service pension applications for survivors and their families whose lives have affected by the devastation of the conflict.

Hobbled by stingy pension eligibility requirements, Costello frequently clashes with his secretary Mrs. DunCannon (Trish Cipoletti), who advocates for the widows, disabled veterans and their children.

Costello frequents Madigan’s Pub in Dublin’s Four Corners of Hell, where he meets a young American tourist (Aidan King), who questions the causes and outcomes of the war, awakening memories and emotions among the pub customers (Dan Ferry, Bruce Brown, Robert Tollinger, Dan VanArsdale).

The characters are fictional, except for four women seeking pension compensation, who are based on real persons, Barlieb says.

In the play’s storyline:

Brigid Mahoney (Sharon Ferry), lost a husband and son but is denied a military pension for her three younger children because her village priest writes the authorities a letter claiming she drinks alcohol.

Kathleen O’Brien’s (Fiona Galligan Sweeney) daughter was raped by soldiers and she has to put her grandson up for adoption at her own expense.

Mrs. Greehy (Denise Shelton) is denied a pension because someone sent a letter to the authorities questioning whether her son, killed in action, was legitimate.

Margaret Skinnider (Pamela McLean Wallace) fought alongside the men during The Rising and was seriously injured, but is denied a pension because she fought on the side that lost, and is a woman.

The play is interspersed with traditional songs of the era performed by Joey Mutis III of The Electric Farm.

“An Explosion by the Ballyseedy Woods,” 7:30 p.m. March 13, 14, 15; 2 p.m. March 16, Crowded Kitchen Players, Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem. 610-704-6974, https://www.ckplayers.com

Every year, Desales University senior theater majors produce and perform a children’s play as Act 3 as part of their curriculum.

This year’s show, “Robin Hood,” is adapted by Tim Kelly and based on the novel by Howard Pyle.

The production, directed by Thomas Stacherski, transports audiences of all ages to Sherwood Forest, a mystical place where legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his band of merry men take center stage in a daring tale of adventure and generosity.

In this re-imagined tale, King Richard’s absence has left his brother Prince John in charge of England, plunging the poor citizens of Nottingham into poverty and despair.

Robin Hood and his friends outsmart the ruthless Lady Merle, the Sheriff, and his henchmen, and take part in a high-stakes archery contest in which Robin showcases his expertise with bow and arrow.

Children can get a front row seat with on-stage carpet seating. Seating is first-come, first-serve.

March 29 and April 5 performances are relaxed for patrons with sensory and communication differences. The April 8 performance has audio description and American Sign Language interpreters. For information, call 610-282-3654, extension 1.

“Robin Hood,” 10 a.m. March 18, 20, 22, 25, April 5; 12:30 p.m. March 25; 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. March 27, 29, April 1, 3, 8, Act 1 DeSales, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192, https://www.desales.edu

“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