Learn about “The Troubles” with an original Irish history play and see a re-imagined Tinker Bell in a new take on Peter Pan.

Crowded Kitchen Players’ “A Terrible Beauty” runs March 12 to March 15, Charles A. Brown Ice House, Bethlehem.

DeSales University’s Act 3 presents “Tinker Bell,” March 17 to April 11, Schubert Theatre.

“A Terrible Beauty” is the fourth play written by Ara Barlieb that examines Irish history. It’s said to be the first of a trilogy that picks up the story where the first trilogy concluded.

Barlieb’s newest play takes place in Belfast in 1922 and tells the story of a family’s experience during ‘The Troubles.”

After the Anglo-Irish War of Independence ends with a highly-contested Treaty, and the Irish Civil War looms only a few months ahead, the Gallaghers are a nationalist middle-class Catholic family in northern Ireland.

The family is trying to co-exist peacefully amidst the mounting struggle between the free-state Irish Republicans of the South, who refuse to accept the Ulster Partition, and the Irish Loyalists, who will fight to the death to remain under British rule and protection.

The Gallagher family prepares to sit down for its traditional Irish supper in late 1922 when a series of unexpected guests pound at their door in mounting desperation, seeking refuge from the violence erupting just down the road.

The latest play takes place after Barlieb’s trilogy that chronicled the Irish war of independence from Great Britain: “The Rising,” “The Anglo-Irish War for Independence” and “An Explosion by the Ballyseedy Woods,” staged by the Crowded Kitchen Players 2022 through 2025.

Portraying the Gallagher family are Trish Cipoletti, David Oswald, Mike Daniels, Sharon A. Ferry and Robert Tollinger.

The cast includes Pamela Wallace, Danny Black, Dan Ferry, Fiona Sweeney, Bruce Brown, Dan Van Arsdale and Lance Boyle.

“A Terrible Beauty,” 7:30 p.m. March 12, 13, 14; 2 p.m. March 15, Crowded Kitchen Players, Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem. 610-704-6974, https://www.ckplayers.com/

Travel to Neverland and view it through the eyes of its most feisty fairy, as Tinker Bell (Caitlyn Kaiser) searches for friendship and meets a runaway boy named Peter (Sophia Twohig) in DeSales University’s Act 3’s “Tinker Bell.”

When Tinker Bell brings Peter to Neverland, the island erupts with strange creatures, wild adventure and the threat of Captain Hook (Shawn Laub).

With the arrival of wide-eyed Wendy (Amy Scraggs), Tinker Bell must learn that friendship isn’t always as simple as it seems.

Act 3 is the senior capstone project for DeSales University theater students, requiring them to produce a fully-realized show from design and marketing through performance.

The project culminates in 19 performances for the Lehigh Valley, showcasing the creativity, teamwork and skills students have developed over four years of study.

“I’m ecstatic for audiences to experience this bold retelling of J.M. Barrie’s classic,” says director Ryan Plunkett. “It’s a wonderful privilege to bring the magic of Neverland to life.”

The student production team includes Jamir Fisher, line producer, overseeing scheduling and coordination; Maya Jean, stage manager; Emma Sills, costume designer; Henry Ingles, scenic designer and technical director; Brooke Daly, lighting designer; Andrew Kopacz, sound designer; Olivia Mills, props; Isabella Marin, fight choreography; Grace Curry, business manager; Kaiser, box office manager, and Twohig, marketing manager and education liaison.

“Tinker Bell” is recommended for ages 3 - 9, but should entertain audiences of all ages.

There are relaxed, sensory-friendly performances 12:30 p.m. March 21 and March 28.

There will be an audio-described and ASL-interpreted performance for patrons who are blind or visually-impaired; and deaf or hard-of-hearing, 10 a.m. April 7.

“Tinker Bell,” 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. March 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31, April 7; 12:30 p.m. April 9; 10 a.m. April 11, DeSales Act 1 Theatre, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192; https://www.desales.edu

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com