Prince Faggot imagines a world where Prince George becomes the first openly gay royal, weaving a tender love story with the pressures of monarchy and public scrutiny. As George and Dev navigate family expectations, queer identity, and the cost of visibility, the fully queer ensemble delivers moving performances that fill the theater with warmth and electricity. Despite occasional dips in storytelling, the heart and honesty of the production make it a compelling and memorable experience.

Art explores the shifting dynamics of a decades-long friendship after Serge buys an expensive painting that looks like a blank canvas. As Marc rejects the purchase and Yvan gets stuck in the middle, the play digs into how people grow apart, what we expect from long-term friends, and how relationships change over time. Strong performances, especially from James Corden, keep the story engaging even when the dialogue wanders.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow combines the dark edge of Carrie, the camp of High School Musical, and the spectacle of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to explore the early story of Henry Creel. Louis McCartney, Alison Jaye, and Gabrielle Nevaeh bring warmth and humor to a production that shifts from playful student moments to a much darker second act. Some plot lines feel tangential in a long runtime, but the show’s technical achievements and striking effects keep the momentum alive. Even without knowing the TV series, it remains an entertaining and visually impressive Broadway experience.

Call Me Izzy spotlights Jean Smart’s formidable talent in an intimate solo performance set mostly within the confines of a bathroom—a refuge for a Southern woman enduring domestic violence and channeling her pain into poetry. Smart captivates with her rich accent, quick character shifts, and rhythmic delivery of Izzy’s verses. But while the emotional stakes are undeniable, the play ultimately lingers without evolving, rehashing familiar themes of loss and trauma without providing a new or transformative perspective.