Catastrophic Theatre takes on a second Mickle Maher play with Spirits to Enforce (the first was The Strangerer). The plot revolves around 12 characters on 12 phones for a telethon. Who are these people? Why are they on phones? Well, thatย’s where things get tricky, so pay attention: The characters are superheroesย…stuck on a submarine off the coast of a fictitious islandย…trying to raise money for their upcoming production of Shakespeareย’s The Tempest.

But, thatย’s not all. As the plot thickens (and twists), we discover the reason the characters are so interested in the play is that itย’s the story of their past. The superheroes ย— with names such as Fragrance Fellow, the Intoxicator and the Untangler ย— are on the end of the line trying to collect dollars to stage their own history. 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Through December 20. Barnevelder Movements/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston. For information, visit www.catastrophictheatre.com. $15.

Thursdays-Saturdays. Starts: Dec. 12. Continues through Dec. 20, 2008

This article appears in Dec 18-24, 2008.