Albert Lea Community Theatre will open its 53rd season with “Rumors,” a comedy written by Neil Simon and directed by Rory Mattson, from Oct. 19 through Oct. 28.

The deputy mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce. Gathering for their 10th wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusion and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.

“Don’t Hug Me, We’re Married,” written by Paul and Phil Olson and directed by Sue Jorgensen, will run Feb. 22 through March 3. Part of the smash hit “Don’t Hug Me” musical comedy series, this show takes place in a small north woods bar in Bunyan Bay, Minnesota. Gunner and Clara Johnson are owners of the bar, they’ve been married a long time, the romance has left them and Clara would like to get it back. When Gunner finds a pamphlet that Clara was hiding for Divorce Fantasy Camp, he realizes he needs to do something. Meanwhile, Bernice, the waitress, gets engaged to Aarvid, a karaoke salesman. Gunner’s twin sister, Trigger, comes to town and proposes to Kanute, the local business icon. It’s a double wedding. Will anyone get cold feet? What could possibly go wrong?

“The Miracle Worker,” written by William Gibson and directed by Glen Parsons, will be performed April 19 through April 28. Immortalized on stage and screen, this classic drama tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller. The play dramatizes the volatile relationship between the lonely teacher and her charge. Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, Helen is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human and treated by her family as such. Only Annie realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence. With scenes of intense physical and emotional dynamism, Annie’s success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a single, glorious word — “water.”

For its final production of the season, ACT will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” a musical based on the Academy Award-winning animated Walt Disney Film, from July 12 through July 21. Directed by Steven Kinney, “be our guest” and step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic. The story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end. If the lesson isn’t learned soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. According to a press release, this tale as old as time is filled with spectacular costumes and is musical theatre at its best.

Season tickets can be purchased at actonbroadway.com or by filling out a season ticket brochure form, available at the box office or at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau. The box office is open at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday. A season ticket is $60 for all four shows. Beginning Sept. 1, individual show tickets may be purchased online, at the box office or by calling 1-877-730-3144, a toll-free, 24/7 automated service.