Here’s my list of recommended Broadway, off-Broadway, and out-of-town shows, updated weekly. In all cases, I gave these shows favorable reviews (if sometimes qualifiedly so) in The Wall Street Journal when they opened. For more information, click on the title.
BROADWAY:
• Annie (musical, G, some performances sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Matilda (musical, G, all performances sold out last week, reviewed here)
• The Nance (play with music, PG-13, closes Aug. 11, some performances sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Once (musical, G/PG-13, most performances sold out last week, reviewed here)
• The Trip to Bountiful (drama, G, closes Sept. 1, reviewed here)
• Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (comedy, PG-13, remounting of off-Broadway production, closes Aug. 25, most performances sold out last week, original production reviewed here)
OFF BROADWAY:
• Avenue Q (musical, R, adult subject matter and one show-stopping scene of puppet-on-puppet sex, reviewed here)
• The Fantasticks (musical, G, suitable for children capable of enjoying a love story, reviewed here)
• The Weir (drama, PG-13, closes Aug. 4, reviewed here)
CLOSING NEXT WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C:
• The Real Thing (drama, PG-13, adult subject matter, closes July 7, reviewed here)
CLOSING NEXT WEEK OFF BROADWAY:
• Far From Heaven (musical, PG-13, adult subject matter, closes July 7, reviewed here)
CLOSING SATURDAY IN WESTPORT, CONN.:
• The Show-Off (drama, G/PG-13, reviewed here)
CLOSING SUNDAY IN ARLINGTON, VA.:
• Company (musical, PG-13, adult subject matter, reviewed here)
CLOSING SUNDAY IN RED BANK, N.J.:
• Present Laughter (comedy, PG-13, adult subject matter, reviewed here)