Sam Gold’s London production of Fun Home retains its full magic, while Brian Friel’s Aristocrats is interesting but not top tier
Beyond
From London: The Lehman Trilogy, a Thrilling Look at the American Experience
An altogether terrific chronicle of money, power, and the American Way
From London: McKellen’s Lear and Christie’s Witness, Both Excellent
Ian McKellen makes a monumental Lear, while Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution literally goes to court
From London: The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The King and I, Both in Brilliant Form
Martin McDonagh’s macabre thriller and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Siamese spectacle are done to perfection
From London: A Bracingly Bristling Jungle, Plus an Overly Wilde Earnest
The Jungle is a remarkable theatrical experience; a sexualized Importance of Being Earnest works as poorly as one might suspect
From London: Rylance vs. Othello, plus World War II Weather
Mark Rylance’s Iago electrifies Othello, while D-Day forecasts bring suspenseful chills in Pressure
Petrified Forest, Sister Mary Ignatius: Revivals Under the Berkshire Elms
Harriet Harris shines as Chris Durang’s nutty nun, while Robert E. Sherwood’s vintage melodrama just shines, period.
West Side Story: Reproducing a Classic With Sincerity, and Safety
★★★★☆ 100th birthday tributes to Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins yield a familiar but affecting take on timeless material.
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
Lempicka: Art for Art’s Ache in the 20th Century
★★☆☆☆ An ambitious but unfocused musical gives a great, underappreciated 20th century female artist too much of a brush-off