★★★★☆ Andrea Martin sparks David Cromer’s Second Stage premiere of a meaningful comedy of racial identity
Off-Broadway
Meet the Cartozians: A People Proud, A History Melancholy
★★★☆☆ A skillful cast explores the Armenian American experience across two eras, a century apart
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Revival Spells S-U-C-C-E-S-S
★★★★☆ A new production of the Tony-nominated musical comedy goes to the head of the class
The Seat of Our Pants: Too Mild Wilder
★★☆☆☆ Ruthie Ann Miles shines amid Ethan Lipton’s respectful musical version of a mad Thornton Wilder classic
Archduke: Murder, He Says
★★★☆☆ Patrick Page blazes as a Balkans terrorist in Rajiv Joseph’s what-if World War I history play
The Baker’s Wife: Redemption for a Musical With a Big Heart
★★★★☆ A flawless cast and thoughtful direction turn a famously problematic tuner into a darling, healing event
The Baker’s Wife: Fabled Flop Charms in Amiable Revival
★★★☆☆ Scott Bakula, Adriana DeBose, and Judy Kuhn enhance Stephen Schwartz’s underbaked musical
Richard II: Michael Urie Plays Shakespeare’s Materialistic, Superficial King
★★★☆☆ Red Bull Theater sets the Bard’s first Henriad play in the decade of decadence
Richard II: This Campy Breed, This England
★★☆☆☆ Michael Urie and entourage double down on facile gimmickry and leave Shakespeare behind
The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire: What the Hell Was That All About?
★★★☆☆ Anne Washburn’s absorbing study of collective existence melts into something else at the finish line