★★★☆☆ Sarah Bernhardt takes on the great role while dallying with Edmond Rostand
Wild Abandon: Leenya Rideout Plays, Sings, Talks Show-Biz/Mom Issues
★★★☆☆ The multi-talented performer works instruments and resentments to vigorous effect
The Age of Innocence: Edith Wharton’s Novel Graces the Stage
★★★★☆ Douglas McGrath brings the tale of how doing the right society thing is doing the wrong thing
The Emperor: Up-Close-and-Personal/Generic Look at the Powerful
★★★★☆ Shape-shifting Kathryn Hunter skillfully plays many men in Haile Selassie’s Ethiopian court
Smokey Joe’s Cafe: Smokin’ Jerry Leiber-Mike Stoller Hits Smokin’
★★★★★ A nine-cast Top-40 revue from mid-20th century so hot you could sizzle steaks on it
Pretty Woman: Hit Romcom, Musicalized, Is Only Pretty Good
★★★☆☆ Samantha Barks and Andy Karl topline this Garry Marshall-J. F. Lawton-Bryan Adams-Jim Vallance transfer
Be More Chill: Loud Musical About a Desperate Teenage Social Outcast
★★★☆☆ Songwriter Joe Iconis, bookwriter Joe Tracz transfer Ned Vizzini’s popular YA novel to the stage
Fern Hill: Three Couples Get Around to Clean Sex on a Farm Weekend
★★★☆☆ Michael Tucker writes a smart script for six top actors that starts out less than smart
The Band’s Visit: Sasson Gabay Joins the Still-Excellent Tony Winner
★★★★★ Replacing Tony Shalhoub, the Isaeli star helps maintain the just-about-perfect chamber musical
War of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III: Losing Shakespeare Battles
★★☆☆☆ The history play combination, directed by Austin Pendleton and Peter Bloch, too often fires blanks