In the Wake

Marin Ireland plays a politically passionate New Yorker who’s rudely awakened by the start of the 21st century in Lisa Kron's astute and challenging play, which scrutinizes American history with laser-beam precision. Kron can slip into preachiness, but director Leigh Silverman and her strong ensemble (including Deirdre O'Connell, Jenny Bacon and Michael Cernus) keep steadfast control of the debate.—Diane Snyder