This year's lineup - which includes the classic political tragedy of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," the melodramatic thriller "Gaslight" and the comedy "Moonlight and Magnolias" - are worlds apart in terms of subject, writing style and genre, said festival director R. Scott Phillips. "Thematically, I'm not sure there is a through-thread here," Phillips said. "We are highlighting the different qualities these plays have."

One constant is the company of experienced actors, who will take a variety of roles in the three season's three plays, Phillips said.

William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," directed by Kate Buckley

Plot summary: Set in modern Italy, the play begins with Caesar's triumphant return after a war victory. He has gained more power than any previous ruler. After his men begin to think Caesar is abusing his power, a conspiracy is launched to remove him from office through assassination.

Production notes: The action takes place, just like the recent Democratic National Convention in Denver, in front of a backdrop of Roman pillars and stone. The male characters are dressed in designer suits (Armani) while in Rome and in contemporary fatigues while at war. The plot includes bloody riots, murder and machine-gun battles.

Cast notes: Returning USF actors include Brian Vaughn as Caska, Elijah Alexander as Mark Antony and Elisabeth Adwin as Calpurnia. Newcomer Neil Friedman, an actor based in Chicago, plays Julius Caesar. Buckley lauded actor Remi Sandri, who plays Brutus, for his command of language and of the Shakespearean text.

The director's take: "It's about the need for power, and once you obtain that power, how you use it," Buckley said.

Patrick Hamilton's "Gaslight," directed by J.R. Sullivan

Plot summary: This story of psychological manipulation tells what happens when husband Jack is out on the town and his young wife, Bella, spends evenings home alone. She soon begins to believe she's losing her mind, as she can't explain the disappearance of objects, the sound of mysterious footsteps overhead, or the ghostly flickering of living-room gaslights whenever her husband is gone. The drama, set in 1880, premiered on the London stage in 1938 and was later adapted for American audiences under the title of "Angel Street," before reclaiming the original title for two 1940s movies.

Production notes: Bill Forrester, who constructed all three play sets for the fall season, offers a realistic 1880s setting, which includes the illusion of a fourth wall. The lighting gives the set a dreamy quality, illuminating the thoughts of the wife character, while designer Bill Black brings Victorian costumes to life.

Cast notes: Elijah Alexander, as Mr. Manningham, and Tyler Layton, as Bella Manningham, are USF fall season returnees. The play's strong ensemble cast works together to create the thriller's aura of suspense, Sullivan said.

The director's take: "It's a chilling story about physiological, mental and physical abuse," Sullivan said. "These are things that we are contemporarily aware of in relationships, and this is a dissection of it. While it's entertaining and thrilling, it's chilling too."

Ron Hutchinson's "Moonlight and Magnolias," directed by Russell Treyz

Plot summary: This comedy about the writing of the epic blockbuster "Gone With the Wind" is based on a true incident when movie mogul David O. Selznick hired director Victor Fleming and writer Ben Hecht to write the screenplay after filming had begun. In the play, the trio are locked in Selznick's office and live on brain food - peanuts and bananas - for a week to accomplish the task.

Production notes: Selznick's Hollywood office, circa 1939, is the play's setting. The male cast members are dressed in suits of the era, designed by David Mickelsen.

Cast notes: This four-hander includes Brian Vaughn as Fleming, Neil Friedman as Selznick, Remi Sandri as Hecht, and Kate Cook as Miss Poppenghul.

The director's take: "It's really about the struggle of these people to rewrite this screenplay," Treyz said. "It's about these men in that era who had to work in order to create the movies. You don't need to know about 'Gone With the Wind,' and if you do know it, you'll recognize things within it."

'Caesar' et al to entertain fall crowd

The Utah Shakespearean Festival features "Julius Caesar," "Gaslight" and "Moonlight and Magnolias," which play in repertory Sept. 19-Oct. 25, with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 300 W. Center St., Cedar City. Tickets, $24-$46, available by calling 800-PLAYTIX or 435-586-7878; www.bard.org.