9 winning tickets on and off Broadway

The Grand Manner (previews begin Wednesday, opens June 24)

Lincoln Center Theater presents the world premiere of A.R. Gurney's semiautobiographical love letter to Broadway's '40s heyday and to actress Katharine Cornell, whom he saw onstage when he was a boarding school student. The play, which includes Kate Burton, Boyd Gaines and Bobby Steggert, will run in the company's downstairs Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. Tickets are $80, $85 after June 27. Phone 212-239-6200 or visit lct.org.

Shakespeare in the Park ("The Winter's Tale" previews begin June 9, opens June 29; "The Merchant of Venice" previews begin June 12, opens June 30)

The headlines belong to Al Pacino, who'll play his first and much-anticipated Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice." But there is also big news this summer in the Public Theater's repertory experiment: Instead of successive productions with different casts, the beloved free Shakespeare in the Park's Delacorte Theatre will alternate performances of "Winter's Tale," directed by Michael Greif ("Next to Normal," the Public's moving "Romeo and Juliet"), with "Merchant of Venice," directed by Daniel Sullivan (last summer's enchanting "Twelfth Night"). The company includes Jesse L. Martin, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Pacino will only appear as Shylock. Check publictheater.org for information on obtaining free tickets.

On the Levee (previews begin June 14, opens June 28)

Chuck Cooper and Michael Siberry are part of the major cast in this new musical about an almost-forgotten flood in 1927 Mississippi. The show, part of the Lincoln Center Theater's ambitious new-work series at the Duke, 229 W. 42nd St., has been conceived and directed by Lear deBessonet. Tickets are $20. Phone 646-223-3010 or visit lct.org.

Nunsense (previews begin June 13, opens June 20)

They're back! Dan Goggin's musical comedy about five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken returns for a 25th- anniversary revival, back where it all began at the Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce St. Tickets are $45-$50. Phone 212-239-6200 or visit cherrylanetheatre.org.

Lincoln Center Festival (July 7-25)

The summer's major international festival includes lots of adventurous, visionary theater again this year, including the North American premiere of Peter Stein's 12-hour marathon production of Dostoyevsky's "The Demons" at Governors Island. This year's fest of theater, music and dance will feature artists and ensembles from 12 countries. For a calendar of events and prices, visit new.lincolncenter.org/live.

Bachelorette (previews begin July 12, opens July 21)

A bachelorette party comes apart in this new comedy by Leslye Headland, part of Second Stage Theatre's Uptown series at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, Broadway at 76th Street. Tickets are $50. 212-246-4422 or 2st.com.

Trust (previews begin July 23, opening TBA)

A rich, married, disenchanted fellow named Harry is looking for something he can trust in Paul Weitz's new play at Second Stage Theatre, 305 W. 43rd St. Tickets are $70. Phone 212-246-4422 or visit 2st.com.

Secrets of the Trade (previews begin July 27, opens Aug. 10)

A smart and ambitious kid from Long Island dreams of a career on Broadway in Jonathan Tolins' new serious comedy about who-you-know in show business. The premiere is presented by Primary Stages, 59 E. 59th St. Tickets are $50. Phone 212-279-4200 or visit primary stages.org.

New York Fringe Festival (Aug. 13-29)

The largest multi-arts international festival in North America celebrates its 14th year with more than 200 companies in more than 20 venues around downtown. Check fringenyc.org for far-flung info.