Karen Akers: Move On - Reviewed by DAVID FINKLE

Karen Akers is chanting material that seems to have meaning for her at the deepest psychological level.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

This Is a Cowboy Poem My Daddy Taught Me - Reviewed by CHRISTOPHER MURRAY

Katie Bender's wistful and moving new play may rely excessively on monologues to express the characters' emotional states, but heartfelt performances engage the audience's empathy.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Stomp and Shout (an' Work It All Out) - Reviewed by A.J. MELL

The play works beautifully when it sticks with the "Alice in Wonderland"-like adventures of two G-men as they pursue their incomprehensible quest.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Vicious Dogs on Premises - Reviewed by PAUL MENARD

Though this type of theatrical experiment is familiar territory for New York's avant-garde set, "Vicious Dogs on Premises" thankfully manages to skirt pretension.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Saved - Reviewed by ANDY PROPST

Though amiable and occasionally moving, "Saved" is more often than not a frustrating affair.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Standing Clear - Reviewed by IRENE BACKALENICK

Clearly a work in progress, Standing Clear requires some ruthless editing before it can emerge as a worthy statement of life on the New York subway.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Coming Home - Reviewed by RON COHEN

A trenchant look at post-Katrina New Orleans provides the heft for Coming Home, a trio of titular-themed one-acts.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Len, Asleep in Vinyl - Reviewed by ANDY PROPST

Carly Mensch's "Len, Asleep in Vinyl" is an intelligent but never completely satisfying dramedy from a playwright who certainly bears watching.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Reasons to Be Pretty - Reviewed by LEONARD JACOBS

While all the characters in Neil LaBute's new play stab each other in the back and heart, none of it surprises or enlightens. It's finally as if LaBute is admitting that his plays demonize w…

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

A Political Party! reviewed by Paul Menard

This vapid political revue fails to offer laughs or insight.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Artefacts reviewed by Jerry Portwood

What begins as a domestic drama becomes a much more complex analysis of cultural values and market forces.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Blink - Reviewed by Ronni Reich

This offering from Brits Off Broadway covers familiar ground, but is powerful and moving nonetheless.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

The Witlings - Reviewed by Gwen Orel

A new production of an 18th century comedy fails to find a consistant style.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Great Small Works' Eighth International Toy Theatre Festival - Reviewed by Jerry Portwood

With six programs scheduled over 10 days, the festival offerings range from tedious to astonishing.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

How Theater Failed America - Reviewed by David Sheward

News flash: The American theatre is in terrible shape. What? You already knew that? But did you know how it got that way?

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Marathon 2008 Series B - Reviewed by Gwen Orel

Note to playwrights: a situation is not a plot.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Fever - Reviewed by Marc Miller

This adaptation of a classic Greek play offers some fascinating notions, but is hampered by overly verbose dialogue and a confused setting.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Oedipus Loves You - Reviewed by Kerry Allen

An innovative adaptation of the Oedipus myth from Ireland's Peter Pan Theatre.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Port Authority - Reviewed by Adam R. Perlman

Conor McPherson's 2001 work makes its American debut thanks to the Atlantic Theatre Company. It's a beautiful play, but also a bit of a cop-out.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

The Site - Reviewed by Adam R. Perlman

Though tantalizing at first, 'The Site' mistakes idiosyncrasy for intrigue, stripping every level of character until the play is laid bare.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Prisoner of the Crown - Reviewed by A.J. Mell

This production at Irish Repertory Theatre is an engrossing and solidly acted, if rather old-fashioned brief for the defense.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

The Actor's Nightmare and The Real Inspector Hound - Reviewed by GWEN OREL

Many people who aren't actors have nightmares about being center stage. Playwrights Christopher Durang and Tom Stoppard mine these fears brilliantly.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

La Femme Est Morte or Why I Should Not F%! My Son - Reviewed by ANDY PROPST

How can a nation with morally corrupt leaders and press justify a war meant to spread wholesome values? The Shalimar attempts to explore this question in its occasionally insightful but ulti…

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

The Wild, Wild Women of Wakki-Nunu! - Reviewed by A.J. MELL

As all connoisseurs of trash will confirm, there's a thin but nonetheless tangible wall separating smart stupid from just plain stupid. This show pole-vaults right over it.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Mary Trilogy - Reviewed by ADAM R. PERLMAN

Director Julianne Just supplies enough striking stage images and playwright Adrienne Dawes a lean enough script that I can't help but bestow that classic curse -- promising.

SOURCE: Backstage at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑