Patricia Wettig, ‘ready for battle’ in ‘The Normal Heart’ at Arena Stage

Her parents talked her down (“Don’t pass up this opportunity”), insisting she stick it out. When your kid’s wanted to do one thing since she was 8 years old and she has a serious shot at it, you don’t let her ditch the dream because of a car failure.

The tow-truck driver who carried away the car’s corpse dropped off Gagarin at the train station so she could get to New York that night, and STC rescheduled her callback for the morning.

(Scott Suchman) - Patricia Wettig as Dr. Emma Brookner, with Jon Levenson, in Arena Stage's production of "The Normal Heart."

Though she was “devastated” about the car, Gagarin says everything else worked out for the best: The 22-year-old Bethesda native landed the role of Anne Page in “Merry Wives,” which led to her being cast as Emily in Ford’s Theatre’s 75th anniversary production of “Our Town” (the shows share a director, Stephen Rayne). She’d been out of college for all of three days when “Merry Wives” rehearsals began. Pomp, circumstance, showtime.

“It hit me all at once,” she said of the sudden transition from college to the professional world. “I had to adapt, [but] everyone was so kind. I did feel right at home.”

Through July 15 at Sidney Harmon Hall, 610 F St. NW. 202-547-1122; www.shakespearetheatre.­org.

British invasion at Folger

Keeping with the British theme of the summer — Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics in London, never-ending coverage of Kate Middleton’s shiny hair — the Folger Theatre is kicking off its 2012-13 season by hosting the Washington debut of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The Globe’s touring production of “Hamlet” will arrive at the Folger for 18 performances in September.

“It’s an eight-person cast,” said Janet Griffin, the Folger’s artistic producer. “It’s a very tight, small, fast-paced ‘Hamlet.’ ” She’s hoping that “the partnership [between Folger and the Globe] will continue in some way. We might do more co-productions [or] take something there.”

The Folger will follow “Hamlet” with “The Conference of the Birds” by Jean-Claude Carriere and Peter Brook, based on the poem by Farid Uddi Attar. “It’s a story of a journey, a pilgrimage to find God,” Griffin said, one that captivated Aaron Posner 10 years ago.

Posner will direct, and the show, which opens in October, will feature original music performed by Tom Teasley.

Henry V, directed by Robert Richmond, will open in January. “We thought was very appropriate, to open this just after the inauguration,” said Griffin. “It’s very much about political sway and leadership.” “Twelfth Night,” also directed by Richmond (who directed last season’s “Othello”), will close out the season next April.

The season’s theme is “a journey of the imagination,” although Griffin said the theme came to her after the plays were selected, not before.

“We realized all these plays had something in common,” she said.