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Theater: New and Noteworthy

'New This Week Sex With Strangers (Cape May Stage). Laura Eason's off-Broadway hit about a blogger who tracks down his idol at a bed-and-breakfast, and sex and much else ensues. Thursday through July 29.

'New This Week

Sex With Strangers

(Cape May Stage). Laura Eason's off-Broadway hit about a blogger who tracks down his idol at a bed-and-breakfast, and sex and much else ensues. Thursday through July 29.

Continuing

Reviewed by Bill Chenevert (B.C.), Ellen Dunkel (E.D.), Hugh Hunter (H.H.), Julia M. Klein (J.M.K.), Wendy Rosenfield (W.R.), Jim Rutter (J.R.), David Patrick Stearns (D.P.S.), John Timpane (J.T.), and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

36 Views (Lantern Theater). A Japanese pillow book unfolds into a mystery involving art, commerce, and desire. A fascinating, accomplished, visually rich production. Ends Sunday. - T.Z.

Always . . . Patsy Cline (Walnut Street Theatre). A musical biodrama of one of the great personalities in country music. A fun, tuneful, fangirl show. Through July 3. - J.R.

Chapter Two (Montgomery Theatre). It's love later in life for widower George, who, after a bad patch, meets the beautiful and quirky Jennie Malone. Through July 10.

Happy Days (Quintessence Theatre Group). Beckett's existential comedy/tragedy about Winnie, a woman up to her neck in it, literally and cosmically. A timeless, sophisticated production. Ends Sunday. - B.C.

The Harassment of Iris Malloy (People's Light). One night in Atlantic City, a single mother places a bet on a new life after an intimate encounter with a decorated U.S. senator. Full of unexpected twists and knockout performances. Through July 10. - W.R.

Hillary and Clinton (Philadelphia Theatre Company). Lucas Hnath's play about a female politician who faces issues of money, gender, and much more. Mildly amusing and mildly insightful. Ends Sunday.- T.Z.

If/Then (Academy of Music). Philadelphia premiere and first national tour. Elizabeth moves to New York, becomes Liz - and we see the two pathways her life might take from here. A deep Broadway cast and crew. Ends Sunday.

Jamaica (New Freedom Theatre). The writers of The Wizard of Oz - "Yip" Harburg and Harold Arlen - wrote this late-1950s satirical jab at U.S. commercialism. Energetic, athletically danced, vocally uneven, and often unabashedly over the top. Ends Sunday. - J.M.K.

Julius Caesar (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University). This, the original "taut political thriller," is Shakespeare's poetic masterpiece on power, friendship, and conscience. Through July 17.

Kiss Me, Kate (Act II Playhouse). An uneven version that is still enjoyable thanks to Cole Porter gems such as "Wunderbar" and "Always True to You (In My Fashion)." Ends Sunday. - W.R.

The Little Mermaid (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University). The ocean can't contain a mermaid curious about the world beyond her home. Through Aug. 6.

Muddled (Drexel URBN Annex). Josh Piven's satire of our overuse of social media. Ends Sunday.

Riverdance (Academy of Music). The 20th-anniversary national tour looks back at the show's history, with new costumes, new lighting projections, even a new number. The dancing and spectacle are still great, still worth seeing. Ends Sunday. - E.D.

The Secret Garden (Arden Theatre). Mary goes to live with cold Uncle Archibald - and discovers magic in the unlikeliest of places. Stirring, brilliant performances, with talented singers. Ends Sunday.- J.R.

The Servant of Two Masters (Hedgerow Theatre Company). Goldini's farce, with mistaken identities, weddings, and pie fights. Hard to imagine a more energetic and vital production than this. Ends Sunday. - J.R.

Sister Act (Walnut Street Theatre). One of the more successful repurposings of a hit film into a stage musical. It's getting to be a habit. Lots of kitsch, laughs, and amens. Through July 17. - B.C.

Time Is on Our Side (Simpatico Theatre Project). A podcast, a mystery, the Underground Railroad, the LGBT+ moment, and much more of Philly's past, present, and future. Superbly crafted, this fine production tells the story of the LGBT community - and of everyone. Ends Sunday.- J.R.

West Side Story (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University). The festival kicks off a full summer with one of the greatest musicals ever. An edgy, fresh restaging, vibrant with relevance to our times. Through July 3.- J.M.K.