The sleepy summer months are officially over as a crazy number of new productions preview and open this month, including:

AFTERMATH
On March 20, 2003, Americans arrived in Iraq and changed the lived of ordinary citizens forever. Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, the award-winning creators of The Exonerated interviewed forty Iraqi refugees in Jordan to create this searing docudrama. New York Theatre Workshop, previews begin September 1, opens September 15.

BLIND LEMON BLUES
America’s best-selling blues singer of the 1920’s, Blind Lemon Jefferson, comes to life in a new musical that combines blues, gospel, R&B, soul, doo-wop and rap to evoke the enduring legacy of Blind Lemon and his contemporaries. The York Theatre Company, Previews begin September 8, opens September 15.

A BOY AND HIS SOUL
The sights and sounds of West Philly in the 1970s rock the theatre ) as a young black man comes of age in a new one-man play written and performed by Colman Domingo (Passing Strange). Vineyard Theatre, previews begin September 9, opens September 24.

BROKE-OLOGY
Lincoln Center Theater kicks off its 25th anniversary season with a stirring portrait about brothers who are called home to take care of their ailing father, and find themselves strangely at odds. Thomas Kail directs the world premiere of this new drama. Lincoln Center Theater/Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, previews begin September 10.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: A ONE-WOMAN MUSICAL
Written entirely in Def-Jam Poetry, spoken word, verse and music, Erin Jividen’s one-woman musical ten female fairy tale characters who wonder: does happily ever after really exist? The Actors Playhouse, begins September 10.

LET ME DOWN EASY
Anna Deveare Smith (Twilight: Los Angeles 1992) applies her documentary theatre style to a diverse group of characters including Lance Armstrong and Ann Richards in a timely exploration of the healthcare world, from both a practitioner and patient perspective. Second Stage Theatre, previews begin September 15.

LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE
An intimate collection of stories by Nora and Delia Ephron, based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, featuring three rotating starry casts performing in four-week of five actresses each performing in four-week cycles. Performers including Samantha Bee, Kristin Chenoweth, Tyne Daly, Katie Finneran, Rosie O'Donnell, Mary Louise Wilson and Rita Wilson. Westside Theater, previews begin September 21.

MAHIDA’S EXTRA KEY TO HEAVEN
Two strangers begin a beautifully awkward search for a common country, but discover that sometimes the smaller the world the bigger the invasions. A haunting play by Russell Davis, directed by Will Pomerantz, starring Tony Award-winner Michelle Pawk. Epic Theatre Ensemble at Signature Theatre’s Peter Norton Space, previews begin September 16, opens September 26.

THE NIGHT WATCHERS
Charlayne Woodard stars in the New York premiere of her new autobiographical play about mentoring young people and being childless only by biological standards, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Primary Stages, previews begin September 22.

THE RETRIBUTIONISTS
Leigh Silverman directs the New York premiere of Daniel Goldfarb’s fact-based drama, a daring new romantic thriller set in 1946, in which a band of Jewish freedom fighters attempt to avenge a society’s wrongs. Playwrights Horizons, opens September 15.

STILL LIFE
An internationally acclaimed photographer suddenly shuts down, but is interrupted by an unexpected romantic interest determined to help her move on even while facing his own uncertain future. Will Frears directs a funny, heartbreaking new play by Alexander Dinelaris, featuring Adriane Lenox, Sarah Paulson, Dominic Chianese, and Frederick Weller. MCC Theater at The Lucille Lortel Theatre, previews begin September 16 .

TWO UNRELATED PLAYS BY DAVID MAMET: KEEP YOUR PANTHEON and SCHOOL
A new double-bill featuring a rousing farce that follows the fortunes and misfortunes of an acting troupe in ancient Rome, and a brief comic discourse on recycling, poster design and the transmission of information. Atlantic Theater Company, Previews begin September 9, opens September 30.