The Pillowman

A man named Katurian writes 400 mostly unpublished short stories about murdering children and then, when local kids start getting killed in similar ways, he and his slow-witted brother are questioned as suspects by police in their futuristic totalitarian state. His brother confesses and implicates him, but all Katurian wants is to save his stories from destruction. Directed by Jeff Nell, a Tony Award-winning dystopian dark comedy about storytelling written by Martin McDonagh, opens with a preview on Thursday, July 21 ($15), at 7:30 p.m., at the Santa Fe Playhouse (142 E. DeVargas St.). Additional performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through Aug. 7. Tickets are $25 with discounts available; admission to the Saturday, July 23, gala performance is $30. Tickets can be purchased at www.santafeplayhouse.org or by calling 505-988-4262. — J.L. Santa Fe Desert Chorale opens its season at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, with a concert titled

which the group describes as “a program of American works throughout the span of history.” The choir offers two world premieres: “Reflections,” composed by Jake Runestad to texts by Henry David Thoreau, and “Song of the Sky Loom,” a setting of Tewa poetry by Frank Ferko. Among other pieces on the program are compositions by Meredith Monk, Randall Thompson, and Charles Ives, as well as arrangements of folk songs and spirituals. Music director Joshua Habermann conducts and pianist Debra Ayers serves as accompanist for this concert at Christ Church (1213 Don Gaspar Ave.). The program will be repeated on July 29 and Aug. 4. Tickets ($10-$75) can be purchased by calling 505-988-2282 or through www.desertchorale.org. — James M. Keller