December may have been classic musical central, but January brings a new year and host of exciting options, heavy topics and renowned playwrights showcased by local theatres.

Opening this week is Studio Theatre’s anticipated Neil LaBute Festival, highlighting the work of the often-caustic man responsible for, among other things, The Shape of Things and In The Company Of Men. The festival kicks off with Fat Pig, which explores whether a man can overcome his friends’ and his own prejudices when he falls for an overweight woman (Jan 4). Also included in the festival is autobahn, a seven-play cycle, and Seconds of Pleasure: The LaBute readings. LaBute-aholics can catch all three plays, get dinner and participate in a discussion for $100 on selected days; visit the Web site for more info.

Speaking of women and body issues, Eve Ensler’s The Good Body has a one week engagement at the Lincoln Theatre (Jan 17). The Vagina Monologues author interviewed a variety of women and discussed their body image to produce this work.

Was Meat & Potato Theater’s Poe 2000 just not enough of the macabre master for you? See what Signature can pull off when they set the man’s life and words to music with Nevermore (Jan. 10).

Moliere’s Don Juan scandalized in 1665; does it have the same power today? Find out when Shakespeare Theater Company stages it (Jan. 24).