Deertrees Theatre in Harrison can boast many connections to the “greats” of yesteryear and this week will acknowledge the birthday of Rudy Vallee, born July 28, 1901. He credited the theatre as being one of his favorite places to sing. So the theater will celebrate this week by staging all three of the plays in the Deertrees New Repertory Company’s repertoire.

On Thursday, the final performance of the family play, “The Selfish Shellfish,” will be staged. “All who have seen this production have loved it,” said Deertrees’ Executive Director Andrew Harris. “It has been difficult at times to say whether the children or the adults present have been the more enthusiastic members in the sections of audience participation. We have even had adults without children come to see the play and they have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the fun mood. It’s that kind of play.”

On Friday night, “The Grand O’Neal” by local playwright David Butler will have its second airing, and if the opening night reaction of the audience was anything to go by, this is a piece of theatre not to be missed, Harris said.

The third offering of the week on Saturday, Aug. 2, will be the award-winning play, “Heroes.” The three actors, David Butler, Paul Haley and John Fogle who portray the World War I veterans destined to spend their remaining years in a rest home, surprise us all. Under the direction of Daniel Burson, the play takes the audience on a journey of emotions that leaves you at the end understanding why the play won the Olivier Award for the Best New Comedy.

All evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. and more information can be obtained on the theater’s website, www.deertrees-theatre.org or by calling the box office on 583-6747.

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