All the world’s a stage–even the world south of the city, where six professional, semiprofessional, and nonprofessional performing groups have banded together to request the attention of area audiences. This first-ever effort of its kind, conceived and coordinated by Michael Sean McCarthy, features 10 different productions in repertory through November 29, with shows Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 7:30 PM (no performance on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26); each show consists of two or three one-acts. Tickets: $7 per night at the door ($ 5 for seniors, $3.50 for students with ID); $15 for an unlimited festival pass. The South Suburban Theater Festival is hosted by the Fake Shrubbery Theatre Company, located at 21 Centre at the intersection of Lakewood and Western in Park Forest–right next to the Sears store. For ticket information, call 708-748-1240. Following is the schedule for November 27 through 29.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27

A Marriage Proposal

The South Suburban Theater Guild, a community group based in Tinley Park, performs Anton Chekhov’s comedy.

The Zoo Story

Edward Albee’s absurdist, ultimately violent encounter between two men on a New York park bench is performed by the Fake Shrubbery Theatre Company.

The Tell-Tale Heart

Edgar Allan Poe’s study of a murderer’s morbid guilt is performed by Blue Island’s Showcase Theater under Martin Shannon’s direction.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

The Town Fryers

Martin Shannon’s a man with a mission: he founded this group in 1991 “with the belief that Improv Comedy was not to be monopolized by the north side of Chicago.” The ensemble performs sketches and songs under his direction.

The Hitchhiker

The South Suburban Theater Guild performs Lucille Fletcher’s radio play, a ghost story she wrote for Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre in the 1930s; the piece is presented in the style of a live radio broadcast.

A Marriage Proposal

See listing under Friday, November 27.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29

The Tell-Tale Heart

See listing under Friday, November 27.

The Hitchhiker

See listing under Saturday, November 28.