Happy April, Off-Broadway watchers! Spring has sprung, and a bumper crop of new shows is blooming this month. Highlights include (in alphabetical order):

CHASING MANET Inside the confining walls of Mount Airy Nursing Home, a rebellious painter and an ebullient Jewish woman plot to take wing for the last time by escaping to Paris aboard the QE2. The world premiere of Tina Howe’s play, directed by Michael Wilson, starring Jane Alexander and Lynn Cohen. Primary Stages at the 59E59 Theaters/Theater A, 59 East 59th Street.   March 24 - May 2, 2009.

EVERYDAY RAPTURE Theatrical diva Sherie Rene Scott (The Little Mermaid, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Last Five Years) brings her psycho-sexual-spiritual journey in song Off-Broadway. Second Stage Theatre, 307 West 43rd Street. April 7 - May 31, 2009.

KERNAL OF SANITY Contradictory senses of marginalization and betrayal, illusion and reality take center stage in New Federal Theatre's production of Kermit Frazier's drama.   Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand Street.   April 9 - May 3, 2009.

THE ILIAD: BOOK ONE Aquila Theatre Company’s stunning World War II-inspired interpretation of Homer’s masterpiece resurfaces. The Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street. March 31 - April 25, 2009.

AN ORESTEIA Classic Stage Company presents ambitious multi-night staging of Anne Carsons' translation of the story of the fall of the house of Atreus.   East 13th Street Theatre, 136 East 13th Street.   March 22 - April 19, 2009.

SHANGHAI GESTURE  Tina Chen stars as John Colton's classic drama makes its long-awaited revival under the auspices of Mirror Repertory Company.   Women's Project/Julia Miles Theatre, 424 West 55th Street.   April 23 - May 17, 2009.

THE SINGING FOREST Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis stars in Craig Lucas’s funniest and most poignant work to date, a classic inter-generational story that both moves and transports, sweeping through one family’s journey to reconcile their past. Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette Street. April 10 - May 17, 2009.

THE TOXIC AVENGER MUSICAL New Jersey’s first superhero has a song in his heart in this new musical romp, featuring music and lyrics by David Bryan (Bon Jovi), book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect…), and direction by John Rando (Urinetown). New World Stages/Stage 1, 340 West 50th Street. Previews began March 18. Opening night: April 6, 2009.

WHY TORTURE IS WRONG AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM The twisted pen of Christopher Durang is back in the world premiere of his new satire about America’s growing homeland “insecurity.” Public Theatre, 425 Lafayette Street. March 24 – April 26, 2009.

THE YEATS PROJECT A month-long festival presenting all 26 plays written by the great Irish scribe William Butler Yeats, along with special evenings of dance, poetry, lectures, films and more.  Irish Repertory Theatre, 132 West 22nd Street.   April 8 - May 3, 2009.