A sophisticated new take on Jean-Paul Sartre’s faded classic projects huge yet intimate images.

The Dissemblers

In director Kim Collier’s vision of Jean-Paul Sartre’s classic No Exit, a minor character called the Valet will try to convince the audience that the play is no longer relevant. At least that was Collier’s plan when I spoke to her recently over lunch.

Luminous Edge

By Anne Washburn. Directed by Joanna Garfinkel. A TigerMilk Collective production. At the PAL Theatre on Wednesday, April 23. Continues until May 3

At the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Saturday, April 26. Continues until May 8

Michael Rinaldi’s character is a real-estate agent with a brand-new fauxhawk and a pierced eyebrow. He’s trying hard—really, really hard—to be cool, which, of course, makes him a goof. But in the world of Jason Bryden’s new script, The Dissemblers, the other characters are so much more cynical in their lies and successful in their posing that goofy Simon ends up looking pretty appealing.

The Downtown Eastside take on the Bard is full of fun.

West Side Story

This production of Volpone tries so hard to be funny that it almost never is.

Somewhere inside The Pillowman there’s an allegory that redeems its relentless brutality. But the deeper meaning that emerges isn’t enough.

It’s hard to build an engaging story without meaningful conflict or sympathetic characters. Without them, you get something that looks like The View From Above.

Poster Boys

The Woodsman

True West