The 2012 Act One Festival’s mainstage series begins on Thursday, Aug. 9, with a presentation of “The Drawer Boy.” The series continues through October with 10 shows ranging from comedy plays to personal stories to tales of marriage.

Other shows in the series include “Sylvia,” “I Married an Alien!,” “The Moose in Me, The Moose in You!,” “Spousal Deafness...And Other Bones of Contention,” “Who’s Your Daddy,” “Clean Room,” “Dancing with Dad—A Yankee with a Samba Soul,” “Salt & Pepper Cooking,” and “Tragedy: a tragedy.”

The festival takes place at West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $18 to $20. For show times, tickets and more information, call 603-300-2986 or visit www.actonenh.org.