MONTREAL — Unique theater performances take center stage in Montreal.

Just in time for Halloween is "Haunted." Set in 1879 in the small town of Amherst, Nova Scotia, the play features 19-year-old Esther Cox, who begins to hear some strange voices and is soon imprisoned for her "crimes." At St. James United Church, 463 Ste. Catherine St. W. (entrance at 1440 St. Alexandre St.) now through Oct. 31. Tickets cost $20. Call (514) 303-7646.

"Duplicity Girls," a new play by Ned Cox, tells the tale of twins Perdita and Isobel. The dark comedy is described in the press release as "'Grey Gardens' meets 'Waiting for Godot' as re-written by Harold Pinter." At the Freestanding Room, 4324 St. Laurent Blvd. now through Nov. 1. Call the box office at (514) 759-4671.

Persephone Productions presents "Be My Baby," which opens tonight through Nov. 14. The drama, set in a small industrial town in 1964, tells the tale of 19-year-old Mary Adams, who is seven months pregnant. Upon being shipped off to a home for unwed mothers, Mary soon realizes that she will have to give up her baby for adoption.

At Monument National, 1182 St. Laurent Blvd. General admission tickets cost $25. Call (514) 871-2224 or visit www.persephoneproductions.org.

'SUBURBAN MOTEL'
The Centaur Theatre's current reigning hit is "In Piazza San Dominico" by playwright Steve Galluccio, a "comedy of misunderstandings." The run has been so successful that new dates have been added: Nov. 3 through 8. Debuting soon is "Death and the Maiden," Nov. 3 through Dec. 6. Adult tickets range from $33 to $38.50. The Centaur Theatre is at 453 St. Francois Xavier St. in Old Montreal. Call (514) 288-3161 or visit www.centaurtheatre.com.

Black Theatre Workshop presents "Swan Song of Maria (A Tragic Fairy Tale)" starring acclaimed vocalist Ranee Lee and Joel Miller. Classical ballet is performed throughout the production. At MAI, 3680 Jeanne Mance St. Nov. 3 through 22. Tickets cost $23.50. Call the box office at (514) 932-1104 or visit www.blacktheatreworkshop.ca.

Altera Vitae Productions presents "Bent" by Martin Sherman Nov. 5 through 15. At Espace 4001, 4001 Berri St. Tickets cost $20. Call (514) 823-8823 or visit www.alteravitae.com.

Tableau D'Hote Theatre celebrates its fifth anniversary with all six one-act plays of George F. Walker's theatrical suite "Suburban Motel" Nov. 10 through 29. Walker, considered the Michel Tremblay of Anglo theater, says the press release, got his stage start in 1972 while working as a Toronto taxi driver. He heard that Factory Theatre was looking for new works by Canadian playwrights. The rest is Canadian theater history.

The six gritty one-act cast of characters includes prostitutes, drug addicts, corrupt cops, career criminals — you know, everyday folk. The plays are "Problem Child" and "Adult Entertainment" Nov. 10 through 15; "Featuring Loretta" and "The End of Civilization" Nov. 17 through 22; and "Criminal Genius" and "Risk Everything" Nov. 24 through 29. At MainLine Theatre, 3997 St. Laurent. Blvd. Tickets cost $20 or $15 for students and seniors. A Motel Pass good for all six plays costs $80. Visit www.tableaudhotetheatre.ca.

'INHERIT THE WIND'
Infinitheatre opens its new season with "Rabbit Rabbit," a world premiere from National Theatre School playwriting student Amy Lee Lavoie. The play pairs two unique characters: a pedophilic clown and a naive prostitute. It runs at the Bain St. Michel, 5300 St. Dominique St., from Nov. 12 through 22. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Call (514) 987-1774.

The latest production at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye is the stage classic "Inherit the Wind." The play continues through Nov. 8. Next is the lighthearted "Educating Rita" by Willy Russell, Nov. 22 through Dec. 13.

Tickets range from $31 to $40. Student and senior discounts are available. At 5170 cote St. Catherine Road just off the Decarie Highway (Route 15N). Call (514) 739-7944 or visit www.segalcentre.org.

A most unique musical event, "Star Wars in Concert" brings the orchestrated music magic from the film series to life at the Bell Centre Nov. 25. Tickets range from $35 to $75. Tickets available through Gillett Entertainment Group at (877) 668-8269 or by visiting www.geg.ca.

Finally, making a grand return in time for the holidays is the Cirque du Soleil fan favorite "Allegria" at the Bell Centre Dec. 18 through 30. Tickets range from $45 to $110; available by visiting www.geg.ca. Also visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

E-mail Steven Howell at: writeonbetty@sympatico.ca