What's on Stage in February

A look at some of Washington's major theater debuts

The weather outside may be frightful, but the cast of "Edward Scissorhands" gears up for a barbecue on stage at the Kennedy Center. (Bill Cooper for the Kennedy Center)

February is the shortest month of the year, but that does not mean a shortage of new theater shows. For those looking for a Valentine's Day treat or simply a distraction from winter blues, two revival musicals, a haunting dance production of a cult film and many more shows present plenty to love on stage in February.

Catch a double feature with Rep Stage's production of "Two by Pinter." The company produces two lesser-known shows by Nobel Prize-winner Harold Pinter. In "The Collection," two couples unravel over suspected adultery, while "The Lover" chronicles an imaginative wife as she shares her infidelity with her husband. (Feb. 2-25)

Fiery actress Joan Crawford roars to life when John Epperson, known as Lypsinka, performs "The Passion of the Crawford." Using a recording of an interview with Crawford, the Studio Theatre show jumps back to moments from her career. (Feb. 7-25)

Washington Shakespeare Company premieres an adaptation of the Bard's poetic side with "The Rape of Lucrece" at Clark Street Playhouse. (Feb. 9-March 11)

Pull up a seat for Matthew Bourne's striking dance adaptation of "Edward Scissorhands." Set in large part to Danny Elfman's haunting score, the Kennedy Center show beautifully conveys the struggle to fit in and find acceptance in society.(Feb. 13-18)

A marital affair threatens the perfect appearance of a prim English woman in "The Constant Wife" at Olney Theatre Center. (Feb. 14-March 11)

The circus comes to town when "Carnival!" takes the stage. The vibrant musical, which garnered two Tony Awards in 1962, follows a French girl as she joins the circus and falls in love. It is the latest in a series of revivals at the Kennedy Center. (Feb. 17-March 11)

A short-order cook and a waitress heat up over a one-night stand in Arena Stage's production of "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune." With nudity and adult situations, this exploration of relationships and love is for mature audiences. (Feb. 23-April 18)

Pucker up to the Washington Savoyards' production of "Kiss Me, Kate." With song titles that include "I Hate Men" and "Too Darn Hot," this Cole Porter musical at Atlas Performing Arts Center should add a bit of fire to late-winter chills. An adaptation of "The Taming of the Shrew," this show runs in conjunction with the Shakespeare in Washington Festival. (Feb. 28-March 17)

There's still time to engage in the twisted world of "Richard III" at Shakespeare Theatre (through March 18), take flight with the otherworldly "Vigils" at Woolly Mammoth Theatre (through Feb. 25) and to watch the two last people in the world with Solas Nua's "The Small Things" at Flashpoint (through Feb 25).