Annapurna, Profiles Theatre Alley Stage, through July 20. This latest duet in the key of kitchen-sink marital reconciliation is elevated beyond its genre by the riveting nuanced performances of Darrell Cox and Lia Mortensen. MSB
Apes of Wrath, The Second City e.t.c., an ongoing run. Deep existential despair and sci-fi matters make for great comic gold in this hilarious and new sketch comedy revue directed by Jen Ellison. The writer-performers are all unashamedly brainy and funny at the same time. SCM
Juno, TimeLine Theatre, through July 27. Marc Blitzstein's rarely-seen musical of Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock preserves all O'Casey's brooding tragedy but jettisons much of the character comedy. It's a problem, although this production is beautifully sung, acted, played and staged. Indeed, off-Loop doesn't get much better. JA
Take Your Hands Off Me, Chekhov!, Annoyance Theatre & Bar, through July 30. In a mere 40 minutes, the classic playwrights impose all kinds of, um, drama on the destinies of an affluent North Shore couple in Anne and Greg Taubenek's satirical romp. ( Tracy Letts, you're now a punch line. ) MSB
By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan