Comedies, an Irish drama and musicals are on the docket for theatergoers this week in the region.

• GRINCH, or How Newt GingGrinch Saved Christmas, is this season's original holiday parody in Desert Star Playhouse's Cabaret Theatre, 4861 S. State, Murray, opening Thursday and continuing through Jan. 5.

A washed-up, down-on-his-luck politician fails in his attempt to move into an acting career when his dog gets cast in the role he auditioned for. He gets a new dog from the celebrity dog pound and takes on the identity of a famous, green cartoon Christmas-hater to exact his revenge. He's confronted by three adopted children, an insane Scottish hunter and an abominable snowman.

The cast includes Paul Thomas Murphy as The GingGrinch, Kerstin Davis as Cindy Lou Who, Spencer Ashby as Mayor Phineas Who, Dan Larrinaga as Hunter Hyrum and Scott Holman as Kenny, GingGingrinch's talking dog.

The production includes the "Christmas Card Olio" revue.

Performances through Nov. 24 are Mondays-Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays at noon, 3, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Beginning Nov. 16, the Monday-Thursday performances will be 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets range from $8-$17.95. The Cabaret Theatre also features optional menu service (266-2600 or www.desertstar.biz).

• THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, Martin McDonagh's dark Irish comedy about a Hollywood film crew stirring up excitement during the filming of a documentary in the remote Aran Islands during the 1930s, will play from Thursday through Nov. 18 in the University of Utah's theater department's Studio 115 venue.

The drama has adult content and strong language.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for all students (Kingsbury Hall ticket office, 581-7100 or www.kingtix.com).

• SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' annual production about the birth and resurrection of Christ, returns to the Conference Center Theater for 32 performances from Friday through Dec. 29.

Director Darren Maxfield indicated there may be some tickets available for midweek performances, but all weekend shows are sold out. Standby tickets may also be available on the day each performance. Tickets are $8 for evenings and $5 for matinees (570-0080).