★★★★★ David Byrne’s treatise involving culture hero Jacob Bronowski is dramatically ascendent
Off-Broadway
Secret Life Of Humans: Progress and Its Problems
★★★☆☆ David Byrne draws on an acclaimed book to ponder our animal nature and other big ideas in a theatrical context
Fruit Trilogy: A Woman Is Not a Piece of Fruit
★★★☆☆ Attention must be paid to Eve Ensler’s newest works, but your patience will be tested during this dissonant trio of shorts
Fruit Trilogy: Eve Ensler dishes out a talkative triptych
★★★☆☆ The maker of “The Vagina Monologues” goes experimental with body and soul issues
Dan Cody’s Yacht: A Smart Vessel, Running Short of Its Destination
★★★☆☆ Anthony Giardina’s ambitious new play studies money, privilege, and higher education
Dan Cody’s Yacht: Early Admissions, Good Intentions
★★★☆☆ Opportunity and privilege collide in Anthony Giardina’s likably intelligent but not quite convincing play
Tchaikovsky, None But the Lonely Heart: Abundant Musical Heart
★★★★☆ Eve Wolf’s book calls on actors and musicians to prove argument about aural emotions
Peace For Mary Frances: Old Clichés Lifted By Timeless Talent
★★★☆☆ A radiant Lois Smith leads a supple cast in a not-always-fresh look at family dysfunction and mortality.
Peace for Mary Frances: Sometimes Death and Dying Go On Too Long
★★★☆☆ The wonderful Lois Smith, directed by Lila Neugebauer, in Lily Thorne’s well-cast death watch
The Beast in the Jungle: Lovely Poetry, Lousy Prose
★★★☆☆ John Kander’s score and Susan Stroman’s choreography soar; the play does not