THEATER PREVIEW:

It seems like only yesterday since the Newport Theater Arts Center was born (especially since I directed one of the first season productions) but in reality it was back in 1978, which means the arts center will observe its 30th anniversary season in 2008-09.

The Newport theater group is celebrating the big 3-0 with what it calls its “Directors’ Choice Season,” with the plays being chosen by the people who will put them together.

First up will be the classic thriller “Dial M for Murder” by Frederick Knott, directed by Phyllis Gitlin.

Well-remembered by more seasoned audiences as a taut Alfred Hitchcock movie with Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, this tale of an aborted killing and its consequences will run from Sept. 12 through Oct. 12.

The mood turns to comedy Nov. 14 when the center brings back one of its past rib-ticklers, Philip King’s “See How They Run,” in which clergymen real and bogus prance in one door and out the other. Yvonne Robertson will direct and the show will play through Dec. 14.

Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever” kicks off the new year, opening Jan. 23 under the direction of Michael Ross. The wry vintage comedy focusing on four eccentric members of a British family, each of whom invites a guest for the weekend, will be on stage through Feb. 22.

The next production has two links to South Coast Repertory. Local audiences first saw “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” at South Coast Repertory and director Cecilia Fannon’s play, “Green Icebergs,” was produced there in 1994. “Ballyhoo,” set in 1939 Atlanta, will run from March 27 through April 26.

Closing out the Newport season will be “Ruthless: the Musical” by Joel Paley and Marvin Laird, described as a parody of “The Bad Seed,” “Gypsy” and “All About Eve.”

This campy spoof, directed by Jack Millis, is ticketed from May 29 through June 28.

As usual, the arts center will offer something for its younger audiences this summer.

This year it will be “Aladdin and His Wonderful Magic Lamp” by Tim Kelly and Pam Hughes. This one has a shorter run, from Aug. 8 to 17.

The shows will take place at 2701 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays.

More information may be obtained by calling the theater at (949) 631-0288.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.