Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach and Titusville Playhouse have chosen a couple of heady shows that, if all goes well, should really ratchet up the pace of the 2011/2012 theater season in Brevard.

Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” opens Friday. Its director, Jennifer Wolf, can’t stop talking about her cast, which she calls her “dream team.” It features Amy Pastoor as Maggie, Ben Ball as Brick and Steven Wolf as Big Daddy.

Of course, you probably know that Steven Wolf is Jennifer Wolf’s husband. He is a most gifted actor, one of the best in this area. My experience is you just can’t go wrong with a production he’s in.

Of course, this is not a review, just a preview. Haven’t seen the show yet, but I’m putting it on my radar. Expect more. In the meantime, the show runs Sept. 9 to 25 at Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach (5th St. and Brevard Ave.). Tickets are $18 general, $16 seniors/students/military, $13 students. Call 321-783-3127 or visit surfsideplayers.com

“The Woman from the Sea” opens Friday at Emma’s Attic, the go-to place for avant garde-ish shows at Titusville Playhouse. The play is written by Spence Porter and based on a play by Henrik Ibsen — the king of internal action.

Its directed by Janet Bentley-Hallberg, a woman I find very articulate, educated and talented when it comes to provocative drama. She directed “The Pillowman” at Surfside last season.

This, too, is on my radar. Hope to write more about it later. “The Woman from the Sea” runs Sept 9 to 18 (although not really sure since every few days I seem to get a new press release for its run date). Emma’s Attic entrance is a few steps west from the box office of the main Titusville Playhouse, which is housed in the Emma Parrish Theatre. Confused? Just get to 301 Julia St., Titusville, and all will become clear. Tickets are $10. Call 321-268-1125 or visit www.titusvilleplayhouse.com