"Dear Evan Hansen," by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Steven Levenson, at Second Stage and now on Broadway
The kids are not all right, but the musical theater is in very good hands with these three young talents. Yes, they're writing about suicide, but so did Rodgers and Hammerstein in "Carousel."
Also Read: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Theater Review: A New Musical for the Hashtag Generation
9. "Sweat," by Lynn Nottage, at Off Broadway's Public Theater
Factory workers in a Pennsylvania town turn on each other when the economy goes south. Profoundly polemical in its examination of blue-collar white supremacy -- and deserving of its imminent Broadway production.
Also Read: ‘Sweat’ Theater Review: An Extraordinary Drama Set in a Grungy Rust Belt Bar
8. "Othello," by William Shakespeare, at the New York Theatre Workshop
Sam Gold joins a pantheon of great radical directors with his contemporary Middle East-set take on the battle between the Moor (David Oyelowo) and his future ex-best friend, Iago (Daniel Craig).
Also Read: ‘Othello’ Theater Review: David Oyelowo, Daniel Craig Go to War
7. "Shuffle Alone," by George C. Wolfe, on Broadway
Wolfe resurrected the 1921 Broadway musical to examine what happened to its four African-American creators and its many stars. A dazzling showcase, with extraordinary choreography by Savion Glover.
Also Read: ‘Shuffle Along’ Broadway Review: George C. Wolfe Delivers His Masterpiece
6. "The Babylon Line," by Richard Greenberg, at Lincoln Center Theater
A failed writer (Josh Radnor) doesn't make a very good creative-writing instructor at an adult-ed class. Regardless, his students show him there's a lot going on behind all those identical front doors in Levittown, Long Island.
Also Read: ‘The Babylon Line’ Theater Review: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Reaser Bring Lust to Adult Ed
5. "The Crucible," by Arthur Miller, on Broadway.
Ivo van Hove's mesmerizing revival put the Devil back in Miller's classic about the Salem witch trials.
Also Read: ‘The Crucible’ Broadway Review: Ben Whishaw, Saoirse Ronan Battle Forces of Evil
4. "A Life," by Adam Bock, at Off Broadway's Playwrights Horizon
The sometimes exhilarating, often nasty rush of life isn't over when the existence of one middle-aged man (David Hyde Pierce) suddenly comes to an abrupt, unexpected end. Most peculiar in a very good way.
Also Read: ‘A Life’ Theater Review: David Hyde Pierce Puts His Faith in the Stars
3. "Indecent," by Paula Vogel, at Off Broadway's Vineyard Theatre
Sholem Asch's "God of Vengeance" traveled the world in the early 20th century, but its lesbian subject matter didn't upset the censors until the play landed on Broadway in 1923. Dance, music, the original text, and Vogel's musings re-create the hubbub -- no wonder the show is transferring to Broadway in the spring.
Also Read: ‘Indecent’ Theater Review: Who Knew Yiddish Theater Was So Gay-Friendly?
2. "The Band's Visit," by David Yazbek and Itamar Moses, at Off Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company
A band of Egyptian musicians (led by Tony Shalhoub) ends up in the wrong town in Israel. This wry, nuanced, and melody-laden comedy never resorts to the usual Broadway bombast of anthems and screeching power ballads.
Also Read: ‘The Band’s Visit’ Theater Review: Tony Shalhoub Leads Egyptian Musicians Into Israel
1. "Hold on to Me Darling," by Kenneth Lonergan, at Off Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company
Lonergan ended the year with a big movie success, "Manchester by the Sea," and he kicked off 2016 with an equally riveting work in the theater, "Hold on to Me Darling," a comedy about a country-and-western star (Timothy Olyphant) who tries but can't go home again.
Also Read: ‘Hold on to Me Darling’ Theater Review: Timothy Olyphant’s Fake Tears Make for Real Laughs
Our critic also picks the year's stinkers in his 10 worst list, which you can see here.
Also Read: 10 Worst Theater Productions of 2016, From ‘Paramour’ to ‘Disaster!’ (Photos)
