★★★☆☆ Tony-winner Deirdre O’Connell, directed by Rebecca Taichman, casts her always reliable spell
Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road: A Cool, Cool Homage That Could Be Cooler
★★★☆☆ Susan Schulman directs, Michael Lichtefeld choreographs seven energetic singer-dancers
A Christmas Carol: Jefferson Mays Gift-Wraps Charles Dickens, Astonishingly So
★★★★★ The many-times-told classic, tied with glittering ribbons by a highly creative production team
The Rat Trap: Noël Coward’s First Play Not Yet Up to His Mastery
★★★☆☆ Written at 18, the future master shows early signs fans will appreciate checking out
Downstate: Bruce Norris’ Bold, Unflinching Look at Child Abusers
★★★★☆ Pam McKinnon directs the attitude-challenging Steppenwolf/National Theatre co-production
Catch as Catch Can: A Comedy-Drama Mostly Worth Catching
★★★☆☆ Clever playwright Mia Chung is aided by director Daniel Aukin and three spirited actors
A Delicate Balance: Edward Albee’s Visionary Play on Terror Revived Terrifically
★★★★☆ Jack Cummings III, a deft hand at reviving top-drawer plays, directs six strong actors
My Broken Language: Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Brilliant 2021 Memoir Now Staged
★★★★☆ The playwright relives her Philly-Rican upbringing, while directing a first-rate five-member cast
Almost Famous: Cameron Crowe Almost Tunes Up His 2000 Hit Flick
★★★☆☆ Tom Kitt does the music and some lyrics, while Jeremy Herrin directs a cast of hot rock belters
A Man of No Importance: Jim Parsons in a Musical of Moderate Importance
★★★☆☆ Ragtime’s Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, and Terrence McNally’s mild creation, with John Doyle directing