Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Written by Lillian Hellman. Directed by Eda Holmes. About the venal Hubbard family of two brothers and their ambitious sister, and their back-stabbing ways to make money. Regina, the sister leads the pack. They are monsters and they are human, which makes them scarier. A fine detailed, smart production thanks to director Eda Holmes and her splendid cast lead by Laurie Paton as Regina. To November 1.

London

Written by Noël Coward. Combining the play Still Life with the film Brief Encounter Kneehigh Theatre Company creates a highly theatrical, beautiful, creative production of lost love, heartache, and forgiveness. A terrific accomplishment.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford. Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. A 15-year-old English boy enlists to fight in WWI. His aim is to go to France, find his horse that was sold to the cavalry and bring him home. The puppets of the horses etc. are astonishing. Do anything to get a ticket to this thrilling piece of theatre.

New York

At Lincoln Center Theater. Rogers and Hammerstein’s lush, moving musical about love between men and women from different cultures and classes: lessons are learned the hard way. Directed by Bartlett Sher as a play with music rather than the traditional musical. Award season is in full swing in New York and South Pacific is raking them in. Open-ended run because people are clamoring for tickets.

Book by Quiara Alegria Hudes. Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Directed by Thomas Kail. A glorious musical about resilience, family, faithfulness to ones beliefs all seen from a Latino point of view in New York. A dilemma is created and the solution is elegant and fitting. The energy of the production is infectious and the message is compelling. Mr. Miranda conceived of the idea, wrote the music and lyrics and stars in the show. He is one talented fellah.