★★★★★ A smart new comedy takes a satirical shot at the antivax issue
Off-Broadway
House, or How to Lose an Orchard in 90 Minutes or Less: No Ax Needed
★★★★☆ The Mitu Theater Group reworks Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard” for emphatic new meaning
Make Believe: A Sentimental but Not Syrupy Nostalgia Trip
★★★★☆ Children of the ’80s will especially enjoy Bess Wohl’s nostalgic new play, set in a memory-filled family attic
Make Believe: The Games That Kids Play
★★★☆☆ Fine acting brings Bess Wohl’s tender new drama to realistic life at Second Stage Theater
I Happen to Like New York: Michael Feinstein’s Effervescent Musical Salute to the City
★★★★☆ A charming summer divertissement for American Songbook lovers at the singer’s 54th Street home base
Bat Out of Hell—The Musical: All Revved Up, Going Nowhere
★★☆☆☆ A bloated musical adaptation of the Meat Loaf opus wastes the album’s charms, and the talents of cast members
Bat Out of Hell—The Musical: Driving Through the Jim Steinman Songbook
★★☆☆☆ Too bad the show looks cheesier than the state of Wisconsin
Coriolanus: Private Feelings Versus Public Perceptions in a Raggedy Rome
★★★☆☆ Jonathan Cake has a sneer for every occasion as Shakespeare’s most prideful Roman of them all
Coriolanus: A Poor Case for a Rarely Produced Play
★★☆☆☆ The second open-air Central Park offering of the summer is a rare miss from usually on-point Shakespearean director Daniel Sullivan
Summer Shorts Series B: Neil LaBute Delivers a Typically Toxic Comedy
★★★☆☆ A smart topical comedy outshines lesser works in an annual off-Broadway festival