Neil Simon festival opens this week

A trio of comedies by Neil Simon are among new stage productions this week.

THE NEIL SIMON FESTIVAL, based in Cedar City's Heritage Center, opens its fourth season with three Simon shows in repertory from Thursday through Aug. 12.

Productions this summer are "God's Favorite," which moves the Book of Job to a contemporary setting on Long Island; "I Ought to Be in Pictures," about a Hollywood scriptwriter and his teenage daughter; and "The Good Doctor," a series of comic sketches paying homage to Chekhov.

James Taulli of California State University, Fullerton, is guest director for "God's Favorite," in which a modern-day Job refuses to renounce God, then is plagued by everything from fire to hemorrhoids. Festival founder Richard Bugg is featured in the cast.

Jan Broberg is directing "I Ought to Be in Pictures," a poignant look at a young woman trying to patch up a broken father-daughter relationship.

Bradford Garrison is directing "The Good Doctor," which has five performers playing four to five roles each.

The festival's acting ensemble includes Ellen Treanor of Hollywood, Richard Hill, Katie Fischer and Ashley Neves, all from previous seasons, along with newcomers Savannah Ackerman, Ben Campana, Latoya Cameron, Carl Nelson and Greg Barnett.

Following the three opening nights this week at 7:30, Thursday-Saturday, the three shows will have both matinee and evening performances — at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays-Saturdays the week of July 24-29 and the first two weeks of August — with two additional performances of "God's Favorite" on two Tuesdays, Aug. 1 and 8.

All seats are $18 (435-327-8673, 866-357-4666 or www.simonfest.org).

"THE NERD," Larry Shue's classic comedy about a visitor who stays on and on and on, will play Friday through Aug. 12 in the Heritage Theatre, 2505 S. Highway 89, Perry.

The plot centers around two Vietnam War vets — Rick Steadman, an obnoxious twit who saved another man's life, and Willum Cubbert, the injured man, who was unconscious and never actually met Steadman, but who is eternally grateful. Then Steadman arrives for an unexpected visit and never leaves.

Allan Smith is directing a cast that includes Bryce Day as the reluctant host and Blake Weller as the social-misfit guest.