“AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY”:
*** A largely new cast, led by the redoubtable Estelle Parsons, has taken over in Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize winner. But this eviscerating melodrama remains as gripping and funny as ever. Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St.; 212-239-6200.
“ALL MY SONS”:
** 1/2 Arthur Miller’s period piece is given a starry cast (John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson, Katie Holmes) who were apparently told to shout their lungs out. Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St.; 212-239-6200.
“BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL”:
**** A soaring new show about a coal miner’s son who’s born to pirouette, set to Elton John’s best score ever. Flawed, yes, but it will inflate your heart. Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St.; 212-239-6262. (Barbara Hoffman)
“BOEING-BOEING”:
* Old-hat revival of old-hat French farce literally revolving around revolving air hostesses. Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St.; 212-239-6200. Closes Sunday.
“DIVIDING THE ESTATE”:
*** 1/2 Horton Foote’s funny and touching play about a Southern family embroiled in a financial dispute. Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St.; 212-239-6200. (Frank Scheck)
“EQUUS”:
*** Peter Shaffer’s 1973 psycho-sexual drama about a boy who blinds horses stars a fiercely intense Daniel Radcliffe as the damaged boy, and Richard Griffiths as his psychiatrist. Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St.; 212-239-6200.
“IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS”:
** The best elements of this bland theatrical adaptation of the classic holiday film are the terrific production numbers and classic songs. Marquis Theatre, 211 W. 45th St.; 212-307-4100. Closes Sunday. (Frank Scheck)
“LIZA’S AT THE PALACE”:
**** The indefatigable performer makes yet another fabulous comeback. Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway; 212-307-4100. Closes Sunday. (Frank Scheck)
“PAL JOEY”:
** 1/2 Matthew Risch, a former understudy bumped up to leading man, doesn’t yet have the chops to carry this flawed revival of the Rodgers and Hart musical that features a standout turn by Martha Plimpton. Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St.; 212-719-1300. Closes Feb. 15. (Frank Scheck)
“SHREK: THE MUSICAL”:
*** Fun if overly faithful adaptation of the hit flick, with fond shoutouts to Broadway and a great belching number. Broadway Theatre, Broadway at 53rd Street; 212-239-6200. (Barbara Hoffman)
“SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW”:
** Ninety percent precipitation, 10 percent inspiration. Best for kids, tourists and folks who like interactive art, set to recorded music. Helen Hayes, 240 W. 44th St.; 212-730-9197. Closes Sunday. (Barbara Hoffman)
“SOUTH PACIFIC”:
**** Some enchanted musical! Tony nominees Kelli O’Hara and Paulo Szot lead the superb cast. Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center; 212-239-6200.
“SPEED-THE-PLOW”:
**** David Mamet’s rapid-fire confrontations between Hollywood wheeler-dealers. Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St.; 212-239-6262.
“THE 39 STEPS”:
*** A delightful, very English spoof of John Buchan’s 1915 spy thriller and its subsequent 1935 Alfred Hitchcock movie. Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th St.; 212-239-6200.
“13”:
*** Disarmingly charming (if generic) coming-of-age musical with an all-teen cast and band. Just right for those too old for Disney, too young for “Spring Awakening” and too impatient to wait for “Wicked.” Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St.; 212-239-6200. Closes Sunday. (Barbara Hoffman)
———- LONG-RUNNING ———-
“AVENUE Q”:
*** John Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St.; 212-239-6200.
“CHICAGO”:
**** Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St.; 212-239-6200.
“GREASE”:
* Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th St.; 212-307-4100.
“GYPSY”:
*** 1/2 St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St.; 212-239-6200. Closes Jan. 11.
“IN THE HEIGHTS”:
** 1/2 Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St.; 212-221-1211.
“THE LITTLE MERMAID”:
* Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St.; 212-307-4747.
“HAIRSPRAY”:
*** Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St.; 212-307-4100. Closes Sunday.
“JERSEY BOYS”:
*** 1/2 The August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St.; 212-239-6200.
“THE LION KING”:
*** Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St.; 212-307-4747.
“MAMMA MIA!”:
*** 1/2 Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway; 212-239-6200.
“MARY POPPINS”:
**** New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St.; 212-307- 4747.
“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA”:
**** Majestic Theatre, 247 W. 44th St.; 212-239-6200.
“SPAMALOT”:
**** Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th St.; 212-239-6200. Closes Jan. 11.
“SPRING AWAKENING”:
**** Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St.; 212-239-6200. Closes Jan. 18.
“WICKED”:
** 1/2 Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St.; 212-307-4100.
“YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN”:
*** Hilton Theatre, 213 W. 42nd St.; 212-307-4100. Closes Sunday.