January 12, 2017 | About Last Night

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:
• Dear Evan Hansen (musical, PG-13, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Hamilton (musical, PG-13, Broadway transfer of off-Broadway production, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• On Your Feet! (jukebox musical, G, some shows sold out last week, reviewed here)

OFF BROADWAY:
• The Fantasticks (musical, G, suitable for children capable of enjoying a love story, reviewed here)

IN PRINCETON, N.J.:
• Hamlet/Saint Joan (Shakespeare and Shaw, PG-13, remounting in rotating repertory of 2012 and 2013 off-Broadway productions, closes Feb. 12, original productions reviewed here and here)

CLOSING SOON IN FORT MYERS, FLA.:
• The House of Blue Leaves (very black comedy, R, closes Jan. 25, reviewed here)

CLOSING SOON OFF BROADWAY:
• Finian’s Rainbow (small-scale musical revival, G, closes Jan. 29, reviewed here)

“It was that night toward the end of rehearsals when everything finally comes together, and you feel that if they’d give you a chance, you could direct the affairs of nations. You could bring the entire world into harmony—you’re that good a director. Of course a night like that is usually followed by a dress rehearsal where absolutely everything goes to hell—there’ll be a short circuit in the lighting and your stage manager will come down with the mumps and your leading lady will trip on the hem of her costume and fall into the orchestra pit—but knowing that doesn’t make a speck of difference. For the moment, you’re on top of the world.”