Starting this week, Bangkok theater lovers are in for a real treat with a slew of upcoming productions and performances. Here's the long checklist.

Cixi Taihou The Musical

Based on the late MR Kukrit Pramoj's novel Susi Thai Hao, this musical tells the tale of strong and charismatic woman Yehenala of the Manchu clan, who is chosen during her adolescence to be an imperial concubine for the Xianfeng Emperor, with special guest actress HRH Princess Somsawali.

May 2-4

The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

Bangkok Community Theatre stages a comedy, directed by Mark Sobels, based on the famous musical Hello Dolly about stingy store owner Horace Vandergelder, who disapproves of his niece’s marriage to a poor artist, though he himself plans to remarry matchmaker Dolly Levi.

May 2-3

Tata & Tuntun Story

A mixed performance of music, meme and storytelling by Babymime’s Tata and his son Tuntun which tells the tale of the baby Earth trying to unite father Sun and mother Moon. Reservations at 081-444-7034. Two rounds on Sat-Sun (1:30pm, 5pm).

May 1-11

Cacophonies

Grisana Punpeng adapts Tennessee Williams’ 1977 play Vieux Carre, which follows a writer among a group of strange men who long to break free from their past, with a cast led by Jaturachai Srichanwanpen, Parnrut Kritchanchai, Malys Choeysobhon and Bo Kittiphon.

May 1-5, May 8-12

The Other Rooms

An abandoned guesthouse in Thonglor will be jam-packed with 26 artists and performers, to mark its reincarnation as the Thong Lor Art Space. For the opening nights, an event dubbed The Other Rooms will let a free-spirited crowd enjoy wandering into each of the somewhat haunted-looking rooms to discover installations, film screenings, and live performances by the likes of Nophand Boonyai, Nikorn Saetang and Chulayarnnon Siriphol.

May 2-3

Reung Lao Jak Hing-Hoi (A Tale from a Firefly)

The Blind Theatre community re-stages this play by visually impaired performers and others, promising a six-dimensional experience for the audience. Part of the proceeds goes to charity. Reservations at 080-444-0023 and 080-586-1525. Extra 2pm round on May 17.

May 15-18

Compassion

Robin Schroeter directs this tragicomedy exploring love, hatred and what defines humanity though the journey from hell to earth of young demon Rachel, who is deemed incompetent by her fellow demons and is determined to prove them wrong by killing the talented demon slayer.

May 22-26, May 29-31, Jun 1-2

ฺฺฺBent by Martin Sherman

Peel the Limelight theater troupe stages Martin Sherman’s famous 1978 play Bent, which tells the story of a few homosexuals among the 100,000 arrested in Berlin during 1933-1945. Afternoon matinee performances on May 24 and 31, at 4pm. Performance in English with Thai subtitles.

May 23-31

The Physicist

Ben Busarakamwong introduces a play adapted from Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s satiric drama Die Physiker about an ethical dilemma when politicians learn of a scientific breakthrough which has the potential to destroy the world.

May 23-26, May 30-31, Jun 1-2

BU Playfest 2014

The thesis theater festival by Bangkok University restages 13 famous plays over 13 weeks (Thu-Sat at 6pm), including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (May 1-3) and A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur (May 8-10).