★★★☆☆ Playwright Liliana Padilla looks at self-defense of both body and mind
Misty: Up, Up and Almost Away With a Beautiful Balloon
★★★☆☆ Arinzé Kene’s balloon-laden “Black play,” with him starring, Omar Elerian directing
The Trees: Rootless Dramedy Out on a Limp Limb
★★☆☆☆ Agnes Borinsky writes, Tina Satter directs, 12-member cast performs
Cat on on a Hot Tin Roof: Hot-Hot-Hot Plantation Revisit
★★★★☆ Matt de Rogatis grabs the Tennessee Williams play, Joe Rosario directs
The Best We Could: A Dysfunctional Family Doing Its Best
★★☆☆☆ Emily Feldman’s new play, directed by Daniel Aukin, has its drawbacks
Letters From Max, a ritual: Intimate Teacher-Student Work
★★★☆☆ Sarah Ruth’s epistolary homage to late poet Max Ritvo, Kate Whoriskey directs
A Bright New Boise: Flawed Early Hunter Work Neatly Revived
★★★☆☆ Oliver Butler directs strong cast in handsome production
Out of the Dark: Melissa Errico’s Bright Film Noir Tribute
★★★★☆ The versatile, imaginative cabaret performer takes a walk on the wild side
Pictures From Home: Family Drama Not Fully Developed
★★★☆☆ Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein, Zoë Wanamaker star, Bartlett Shar directs
Endgame: Bill Irwin, John Douglas Thompson Play Beckett’s Work to Win
★★★★☆ Ciarán O’Reilly also directs Joe Grifasi, Patrice Johnson Chevannes in a first-rate revival