Dead on Arrival

While TV seems hell-bent on wringing the life out of the zombie-witch-vampire genres, the stage is taking a subtler, less splattery approach to the afterworld. Here, a breakdown of this season's postmortem offerings.

The Comedy
The Tribute Artist
Drag doyen Charles Busch (Psycho Beach Party) wrote and stars in this show about a down-on-his-luck female impersonator who snatches his landlord's identity (and her coveted Greenwich Village townhouse) after she unexpectedly kicks the bucket.

For Fans Of: Salty puns, Mommie Dearest, and The New York Times real estate section. (Opens February 6)

The Tragedy
The Correspondent
In playwright Ken Urban's latest, a widower asks a terminally ill woman to make contact with his deceased wife and then begins receiving mysterious letters from her. Are they real or a sham?

For Fans Of:Ghost, the Psychic Friends Network. (Opens February 13)

The Classic
No Exit
This revival of Jean-Paul Sartre's masterwork follows three two-timers trapped in hell, forced to endure each other's company for their earthly sins.

For Fans Of: Existentialism, Big Brother.(Opens March 9)