CHARM The true story of Miss Gloria Allen, a black transgender woman who taught an etiquette class at an L.G.B.T.Q. community center in Chicago, provides the basis for Philip Dawkins’s play, the first in an MCC Theater season that will include four world premiere productions. The main character, here named Mama Darleena Andrews, helps a group of young people face myriad challenges in the show, which had its premiere in a Northlight Theater production in Chicago in 2015. Will Davis directs. In previews. Sept. 18-Oct. 8. mcctheater.org.

WARHOLCAPOTE Two very unusual personalities share a room — or a stage — in this new play, based on a series of conversations Andy Warhol and Truman Capote had in the 1970s when they were considering creating a Broadway production together. The script for this American Repertory Theater premiere was adapted, by Rob Roth, from recordings of those discussions; is directed by Michael Mayer; and stars Stephen Spinella as Warhol, Dan Butler as Capote and the rest of us as flies on the wall. In previews. Sept. 18-Oct. 13. Loeb Drama Center, americanrepertorytheater.org.

AS YOU LIKE IT The composer Stephen Schwartz provides original music for the director John Doyle’s interpretation of this Shakespeare romance, set in the Jazz Age. Ellen Burstyn, Quincy Tyler Bernstine and André de Shields are among the cast. Sept. 13-Oct. 22. Classic Stage Company. classicstage.org.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Five actors of varied race and gender share the role of Shylock in the director Karin Coonrod’s interpretation of this Shakespeare play, thus making the infamous antagonist more complex than simply a victim or villain. This American premiere comes to Peak Performances following a run in the former Jewish ghetto in Venice last year. Previews begin Sept. 19. Sept. 25-Oct. 1. Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University. peakperfs.org.

KPOP Dive into this Korean popular music genre — perhaps literally — in this immersive show that requires comfortable shoes and a willing spirit. The production, presented by Ars Nova in association with Ma-Yi Theater and the Woodshed Collective, and conceived by Woodshed and Jason Kim, features a book by Mr. Kim and music and lyrics by Helen Park and Max Vernon. Teddy Bergman (“Empire Travel Agency”) directs. In previews. Sept. 22-Oct. 7. A.R.T./New York Theaters, arsnovanyc.com.