Follies

Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's 1971 critique of nostalgia—set at a reunion of onetime performers in a lavish revue—celebrates showbiz and registers its decay. In Eric Schaeffer’s deluxe production (whose cast of 41 is led by Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein and Ron Raines), this gorgeous work retains its piercing stare of hope and regret, longing and compromise. It's a show no grown-up should miss.—Adam Feldman