The House of Blue Leaves

Director David Cromer (Our Town) leans heavy on the sweaty hopelessness underlying John Guare's 1971 black comedy about small, crazy people dreaming big. The result is an overly dour revival with two crucial pieces of miscasting: Ben Stiller as loser songwriter Artie and Jennifer Jason Leigh as his pushy mistress. On the plus side, Edie Falco is compelling as Artie's deranged yet sensible wife.—David Cote