★★★★☆ Nothing says Christmas like squabbling siblings, screaming matches, and folk songs with four-part harmonies.
Broadway
Cult of Love: They’ll Be Home for Christmas, If Not So Dreamily
★★★☆☆ Zachary Quinto heads the ensemble for Leslye Headland’s new play
Death Becomes Her: The Rare Screen-to-Stage Musical That Improves on the Original
★★★★☆ Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard play the dueling divas in this musical adaptation of the hit 1992 comedy-fantasy film.
Death Becomes Her: 1992 Streep-Hawn Film Musicalized, Unbecomingly
★★☆☆☆ Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are the contentious bffs, with Christopher Gattelli directing-choreographing
Swept Away: A Haunting Musical Tale of Survival
★★★★☆ John Gallagher Jr. and Stark Sands are among the stars of this musical featuring songs from The Avett Brothers catalogue.
Swept Away: Adrift on a Dark, Dark Sea
★★★☆☆ Talent, taste, and Avett Brothers sea-chanties serve a grim morality tale that doesn’t quite stay afloat
Elf: Irrepressible Holiday Hijinks, for Adults and Kids Too
★★★★☆ Affably goofy Grey Henson shines in revival of endearing screen-to-stage musical
Elf: Ho-Ho-Hokum Done With Flair
★★★★☆ Splashy stage version of the holiday movie perennial offers visual delight for the moppets, and wit for the grownups
Tammy Faye: Praise the Lord and Pump Up the Video
★★☆☆☆ Evangelical sex scandal with sequins fizzles, from Elton John and friends
Tammy Faye: Brit Tuner Sings the Red, White and Boo-Hoo Blues
★★☆☆☆ Elton John’s uninspired score scarcely uplifts a new bio-musical