Now those journal entries are the stuff of theater. "A Slight Discomfort," commissioned by the Salt Lake Acting Company, opens Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 19.

Utah-based actor Paul Kiernan, familiar to local theatergoers for his roles in SLAC productions of "Skin in Flames," "Moonlight and Magnolias," "Sexsting" and "Seeing the Elephant," will play Metcalf and seven other characters in the one-man play.

Metcalf spent several years shaping the material and was surprised at the positive reactions he received when he read from his work-in-progress. He said he began to realize men were in the prehistoric ages when it comes to talking openly about the disease that can be as emotionally traumatic for men as breast cancer is for women.

"When it comes to cancer, there isn't six degrees of separation," Metcalf said. "There are only two. You either have it or you know someone who does."

When » The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1- 19. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m. Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Where » Chapel Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North, Salt Lake City

Tickets » $13 for single tickets. Call the box office at 801-363-7522 or visit www.saltlakeactingcompany.org to buy online.

Fairy tales collide

The Hale Centre Theatre's production of Stephen Sondheim's modern classic, "Into the Woods," weaves together fairy-tale characters and stories with special effects and new stage elements. The staging will feature a new moving set piece that surrounds the center stage, as well as a 30-foot tower for Rapunzel, and pyrotechnics from the witch's staff. In addition, there's the character of Cinderella's mother, who dresses as a tree and flies down from the theater's ceiling to have her branches cover the stage.

"Into the Woods" mashes together characters from a variety of fairy tales, including Cinderella, Jack of the Bean Stalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel.

When » Opens Oct. 1 and plays through Nov. 29 (except Sundays) at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 12:30 and 4 p.m.

Where » Hale Centre Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City.

Tickets » $21-$25 ($15-$16 children);call 801-984-9000 or visit www.halecentretheatre.org.

History through a lullaby

Solo theater actor Jade Esteban Estrada chronicles the last quarter-century of the AIDS epidemic in the United States with human stories. In "A Lullaby for Ryan," audiences will meet Jimmy, a real estate agent; Bill McPhil, a Texas cowboy; and LaShonda Johnson, a housewife on the south side of Chicago. Estrada wrote the play's book, music and lyrics.

When » Sept. 28, 2 p.m.

Where » South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 6876 S. Highland Drive, Cottonwood Heights.

Tickets » $ 20; call 801-484-2205.

Dancing memory

The Dixie State College Theatre program presents "Dancing at Lughnasa," a story set in the fictional village of Ballybeg in Donegal, Ireland, recounting Michael's memories of the summer of 1936. That was when he was 7 and living with his mother, her four sisters and his often-absent father. The play's title refers to the pagan Irish harvest festival Lughnasa. Varlo Davenport directs; Brent Hanson is the production's set designer.

When » 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 7-11.

Where » Main Stage Theatre of Dixie State College's Dolores Eccles Fine Arts Center, St. George.

Tickets » $15 for adults ($10 for seniors); $1 for DSC students, faculty and staff with a valid activity card. A Fine Arts season pass is available for $85. For ticket information, call 435-652-7800 or visit www.dixie.edu.

Water alternative

Imagine a water shortage so severe that private toilets are outlawed, and a corrupt corporate monopoly keeps jacking up the price to pee.

That's the satirical backdrop for "Urinetown," Weber State University's new production, featuring costumes and set designs by students Diana Cox and Jamie Frank. To suggest the setting of decay, all costumes are made from recycled materials, such as ruined umbrellas, mattress covers, plastic bags and old ties.

The production contains references to bodily functions - like, say, peeing - but no bad language or sexual situations.

When » 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3-4 and 7-11, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 11.

Where » Eccles Theater, Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts, 3750 Harrison Blvd., Ogden.

Tickets » $8.50 adults ($5.50 for students/seniors/military); call 800-WSU-TIKS to make reservations.

Best in the Fest

"Flies in the Snuffbox" is a collection of four jokes told through one-act plays by the famous Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. The four comedies are "On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco," which introduces us to the thoughts of a henpecked schoolmaster; "The Bear," a romance in which enemies fall in love; "The Proposal," in which a hypochondriac proposes to the girl next door and ends up in a land war; and "The Jubilee," where a bank manager's special day quickly disintegrates into chaos. Translator Dustin Condren brought together these four comedies. The show, which opens Utah Valley University's season, is directed by D. Terry Petrie, department chairman, and Issac Walters, the newest faculty members.

When » Evenings at 7:30 through Oct. 4.

Where » Black Box Theatre in the Gunther Trades building, 800 W. University Parkway, UVU campus, Orem.

Tickets » $10 ($6-$8 students/seniors); available by calling 801-863-8797, or at the door.

Winter with no Christmas

The classic tale of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" arrives on the stage of the Draper Historic Theatre. The play, based on C.S. Lewis' series, was adapted by Joseph Robinette and will be directed by Annie Fields.

It's the story of Peter, Susan, Michael and Lucy, children who step through the wardrobe in their closest and find themselves in Narnia, a land filled with magic, a land in the grip of the evil White Witch, where it is "always winter, but never Christmas."

When » 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-4, continuing Oct. 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 20 and 24-25. A 2 p.m. matinee show will be performed Oct. 18.

Where » Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 S. 900 East, Draper.

Tickets » $11 ($7-$9 children/students/seniors); call 801-572-4144 or visit www.drapertheatre.org.

Join the circus

Ever wanted to run away and join the circus? Many dream of the circus life, but few - no, none - have ever escaped the grasp of "Circus Phantasmal: Death Under the Big Top." The Hunt Mysteries Dinner Theater presents the deadliest show on Earth, featuring magic tricks, knife throwing, mind reading and the faces of Halloween. Corie Sorensen will direct the show, with choreography by Sheri Gillies.

When » Opens at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, with the run continuing Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and 30-31.

Where » Boccias d'Italia, 1045 N. Washington Blvd., Harrisville.

Tickets » For details on all dinner theater shows and prices, visit www.huntmysteries.com or call 801-569-1482.