Actors’ Summit, a Knight Arts grantee, is the area’s only professional theater. Not only does it put on quality productions, it seeks to introduce area residents to new materials that haven’t been seen before. That’s what it plans to do again when it brings five regional premiere works in its six productions for its 16th season (which runs from October 9, 2014-June 21, 2015.

What to expect? How about three comedies, a dramatic and a musical biography, and a mystery played with some laughs.

First up for the company is Sean Grennan’s “Making God Laugh,” which promoters call “a comedy of planners.” It will play from October 9 – November 2.

Sean Grennan, playwright. Photo from peninsulatimes.com

Grennan’s play is set in four scenes, each set 10 years apart during various holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and New Year’s Eve), during which an older couple (Ruthie and Bill) welcome home their far-flung children (a priest, an aspiring actress and a former football star). To find out what’s funny about that, you have to see the play. Apparently during the 30 years that transpire everyone changes and has issues – some new and some that will never die.

Second in the season is an adaptation by British authors Steven Canny and John Nicolson of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Hound of the Baskervilles.” The mystery/comedy will run from November 26-December 21.

Probably all that needs be said to set the comic beat is that the action opens up with Holmes, Watson and Baskerville discussing a mysterious letter – while sweating away in a bath house sauna (with Holmes and Watson attired in full Victorian prudery clothing and a towel wrapped around them for modesty).

In the coming year, from January 15-February 1, 2015, Actors’ Summit will put on “Einstein: A Stage Portrait,” a biographical play written by Willard Simms. Starring in the one-man show will be Brian Zoldessy.

As the promoters tell us, the year is 1946 (when Einstein was in his ’60s). Genius Albert Einstein invites the audience into his home to set the record straight – about his accomplishments, and the myths that had arisen about the man. With humor, enthusiasm and passion, he talks about science, fame and the meaning of life. It’s all relative.

Next up will be Karen Zacarias’ “The Book Club Play” from February 26-March 15. The five-person play (including a documentary videographer) is set in the house of one of the characters who holds, commands and dominates a monthly book club meeting.

All the elements of a book club are apparently part of the plot – intellectual snobbery, an unwillingness to allow outsiders in, and some fragile egos. All this gets played out while a man with a camera keeps his photographic eye trained on them and their dysfunctional issues.

From April 16-May 3 will be Joshua Harmon’s comedy “Bad Jews.” A small cast of five characters who are all related do battle over a family heirloom after the grandfather dies. That may well sound familiar to families that have been through a death and then start settling up over material things.

Apparently Harmon goes at the delicate topic – and intense feelings that can be aroused – with savage and zesty humor as reviewers have noted. Certainly sounds like a witty and fun evening of entertainment.

Last on Actors’ Summit’s list is the musical biography “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline,” written by Dean Reagan. This play will run May 28-June 21.

The play, as you might guess, is a musical tribute to Cline’s spirit, as well as a celebration of her music. Set with a small cast of a female singer and a DJ, the play relives the passion, drama, glamour and songs of country music’s greatest legend – and historically the top juke box-played artist in the world. Songs will include familiar Cline classics like “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Walkin’ after Midnight” and 17 more.

Actors’ Summit will kick off its 16th season with performances of its first play, “Making God Laugh,” at 8 p.m. from Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays from October 9-November 7 in Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St., Akron; 330-374-7568; www.actorssummit.org. Ticket prices have been reduced for season subscribers ($84-$126), with individual show tickets from $20-$33.