With "Blood Relations," a partly fictionalized account of the infamous Lizzie Borden case, you almost expect creepy little coincidences to lurk in the wings like agitated ghosts. Even if director Matthew Grimm expected one or two, he was "stunned and elated" after meeting Catherine Hayashi at auditions for the new Misfits Theatre production in Washington.

Hayashi was the last person to read as Lizzie, and Grimm gave her the role. But he didn't know until they had small talk later that the actress grew up in Fall River, Mass., where Andrew and Abby Borden were, to quote the children's limerick, "whacked" 81 times.Now, the other actors in "Blood Relations," which opens Friday night at Off the Wall Theater, look upon Hayashi as their own keeper of Lizzie Borden lore.

"Catherine's enthusiasm and passion for not only Lizzie but also Fall River and the time period (1892-1902) have given us a new perspective on who Lizzie Borden was and what may have happened," said Grimm.

His cast includes Nicole Henshaw as an actress who, 10 years after the trial that made headlines throughout the world, is fascinated by her new friend's notoriety and secrecy. Matt Mills, Allen Hayashi, Trisha Raines and Stacy DiPasquale have roles, and the director is on hand playing Lizzie's father despite his initial reluctance about wearing two hats.

For reservations to the play, continuing through April 20, call 724-255-6073 or visit www.misfitstheatre.org.

Big daddy

Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre launches its "Family Affairs" season next week with something old but something "bold and visceral," too, according to the press release for "King Lear," which runs through April 26 at the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland.

Philadelphia's James J. Christy, who worked at the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival during its long-ago halcyon days, returns to Pittsburgh and directs what is, many theater critics believe, the greatest of Will's tragedies. It's an ambitious effort for PICT, that's for sure, though the group struck gold with Shakespeare in other seasons. Remember "Julius Caesar" last year and "Henry IV" in 2005?

Taking a break from his movie and TV schedule, veteran actor Dakin Matthews stars as the tragically short-sighted Lear, and he's getting support from Helena Ruoti, Robin Walsh and Karen Baum as the three daughters, and from Simon Bradbury as the Fool, Larry John Meyers as the Earl of Gloucester and David Whalen as Edgar.

I'm not a Shakespeare fan, but with that cast (plus Matt DeCaro, Paul Todaro, Jarrod DiGiorgi, Randy Kovitz, David Cabot and Dereck Walton in the ensemble), who can resist?

Call 412-394-3353 for tickets. Then, if you feel like wishing the Bard a happy birthday (the old guy turns 444), consider two options: A party for the occasion at Borders in Bethel Park on April 23, and a post-show celebration with the "King Lear" players on closing night.

"I'm lining up some folks to perform scenes and monologues, hopefully in costume," said Bob Scott, giving the impression that he's very gung ho about helping coordinate the Borders event. Well, why not? There's only one Shakespeare.

Fired up

Sidney Popielarcheck's feet haven't touched the ground since the young actress learned that she landed a part in Pittsburgh CLO's upcoming "Annie Get Your Gun." And I do mean young: Sidney, who lives with her parents and brother in South Strabane Township, is a sixth-grade honor student at Trinity Middle School.

But I wouldn't rush to call her a newcomer. Two years ago, she played Tootie in Washington Community Theatre's version of "Meet Me in St. Louis," and last summer for the Old Schoolhouse Players, she was Marta Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." She also studies at the CLO Academy and is a member of Trinity's Chamber Chorus.

Sidney works like a trouper, and "through the theater, she has made so many good friends," said her mom, Nikki. "The most important thing is that she's having fun."

"Annie Get Your Gun" opens at Benedum Center in July, a month after Sidney appears in "The Will Rogers Follies" for WCT.

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