★★★★★ Clubbed Thumb’s production of the poignant Abe Koogler play returns for a much-deserved encore run at the Public Theater
Off-Broadway
Deep Blue Sound: A Quiet, Gentle, Whale of a Play
★★★★☆ Maryann Plunkett and an excellent cast spark a return engagement of Abe Koogler’s play
SUMO: Wrestling with Higher Desires
★★★☆☆ Lisa Sanye Dring’s new drama studies Japan’s national sport
Sugarcraft: A Scoop of Culinary History Spoiled by the Serving
★☆☆☆☆ Julia Child’s 18th-century spiritual ancestor gets a raw deal at 59E59
Dakar 2000: International Intrigue, Y2K Style
★★★★☆ We’re already eagerly awaiting the sequel to Rajiv Joseph’s world premiere play
On the Evolutionary Function of Shame: A Timely Look at the Controversial Trans Situation
★★★☆☆ D. A. Mindell is fired up on the subject, as are director Jess McLeod and raring-to-go cast of six.
Curse of the Starving Class: A Sam Shepard Walk on the Tepid Side
★★★☆☆ Calista Flockhart, Christian Slater and Cooper Hoffman appear in Scott Elliott’s revival of Shepard’s darkly absurdist classic.
Curse of the Starving Class: Curses! The Sam Shepard Classic Declassifies Itself
★★☆☆☆ Calista Flockhart, Christian Slater, Cooper Hoffman, Stella Marcus, directed by Scott Elliott, end up dysfunctioned
Grangeville: Art, Anguish, and Wonder from Samuel D. Hunter
★★★★★ An exceptional play with fine work from director Jack Serio and actors Brian J. Smith and Paul Sparks
Grangeville: No Thanks for the Memories
★★★★☆ Paul Sparks and Brian J. Smith play brothers and others in Samuel D. Hunter’s thoughtful new drama