★★★★☆ Shadow Box author shadow-boxes with charismatic real-life champ, wins on points
Beyond
Audra McDonald: In Performance and Conversation at Town Hall
★★★★☆ The six-time Tony winner is her usual exceptional self in a one-night-only visit to Town Hall
Man of La Mancha: Still True to Its Glorious Quest
★★★★☆ Director Mark Lamos invests a musical theater perennial with novelty and life
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 Black Clown: Racial Pride Triumphant in Entertaining Showcase
★★★★★ A classic poem becomes a stunning music theater piece celebrating identity and dignity in the face of oppression
From London: The Young Vic’s Fun Home and the Donmar’s Aristocrats
Sam Gold’s London production of Fun Home retains its full magic, while Brian Friel’s Aristocrats is interesting but not top tier
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