November is a time for gratitude and counting one’s blessings. Lovers of Off-Broadway theatre are particularly thankful for a cornucopia of fantastic new shows opening this month.

THE AGE OF IRON
An epic retelling of the Trojan War, drawn from the works of two dynamic Elizabethan playwrights: Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida and Thomas Heywood’s The Iron Age. Adapted and directed by Brian Kulick. Classic Stage Company. Previews begin November 6, closes December 13.

THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS
A trilogy of new plays presented in two evenings. Tarell Alvin McCraney’s dangerous, modern-day stories of kinship, love, heartache and coming-of-age speas with authenticity about a world that is gritty and lyrical, urban and mythic. Tina Landau directs Part 1: In the Red and Brown Water, and Robert O’Hara directs Part 2: The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or the Secret of the Sweet. Marathon performances on weekends. The Public Theatre. Now in previews, opens November 13, closes December 13.

CIRCUMCIZE ME
A poignant and witty comedy by Yisrael Campbell, (formerly known as Christopher), a once-Catholic kid from Philly, sober alcoholic, recovering drug addict, husband, father, unorthodox orthodox Jew. This is his story -- a spiritual journey stretching across four decades, two continents and three circumcisions. Bleecker Street Theatre. Now in previews, opens November 18, closes January 3.

IDIOT SAVANT
Written and directed by Richard Foreman and starring Willem Dafoe, Idiot Savant is a philosophical comedy, in the great tradition of Ionesco and Preston Sturges. The Public Theatre in association with Ontological-Hysteric Theater. Now in previews, opens November 4, closes December 13.

MADE IN HEAVEN
Conjoined twins Max and Benjie share everything – a life, a career, even a penis. But when they plan to propose marriage to their mutual girlfriend, Benjie tells Max a secret so big it threatens to tear the twins apart. SoHo Playhouse. Now in previews, opens November 2, closes January 3, 2010.

NIGHTINGALE
Oscar nominee Lynn Redgrave is scribe and star in a tribute to her maternal grandmother, a promising woman stymied by society and all but erased by history. A touching personal tribute and a resounding song for all those people whose voices we’ve lost, or never known. Manhattan Theatre Club, NY City Center Stage I. Now in previews, opens November 3, closes December 13.

OR,
Aphra Behn, a prolific Restoration dramatist and one of the first English professional female writers, is getting out of the spy trade and into show biz, if she can only write her play without interruptions from her love life. Verse or prose, now or then, love or death… and a lot of kissing. The world premiere of Liz Duffy Adams’s new historical play makes the 1660s look a lot like the 1960s. The Women’s Project at Julia Miles Theater. Now in previews, opens November 3, closes November 22.

THE ORPHANS’ HOME CYCLE (PART ONE)
The Signature Theatre dedicates its 2009-2010 season to a nine-play cycle by Horton Foote, adapted for the first time into a three-part theatrical event tracing the life and times of Horace Robadaux, a 20th century everyman. Michael Wilson directs at The Signature Theatre at The Peter Norton Space. Part One begins performances on November 5 and runs in repertory with Part Two (opening in December) and Part Three (opening in January) through March 28, 2010.

THE STARRY MESSENGER
Matthew Broderick reunites with childhood friend playwright Kenneth Lonergan in his new play in which an astronomy teacher’s carefully circumscribed world is upended by an unexpected encounter that changes everything. Also starring Oscar nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno, and directed by Lonergan. The New Group. Now in previews, opens November 16. Closes December 12.

THE UNDERSTUDY
The most thankless job in theatre takes center stage in Theresa Rebeck's bitingly funny look at the underbelly of the acting world, starring Julie White, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Justin Kirk. Roundabout Theatre Company at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. Now in previews, opens November 5, closes January 3, 2010.

WHAT ONCE WE FELT
A writer journeys through the political world of publishing, as her novel becomes the last print published novel ever. Lincoln Center Theater’s LCT3 at The Duke on 42nd Street. Now in previews, opens November 3, closes November 22.

ZERO HOUR
A naïve reporter attempts to interview the famously volatile Zero Mostel, equally known for his comedic genius and his place on the Hollywood black list. Jim Brochu stars and Piper Laurie directs. Theatre at St. Clement’s Church. Previews begin November 14, opens November 22, closes January 31, 2010.