Seat Filler

 The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Once upon a time, New Hampshire’s Austin Wiggin forced his three awkward daughters to form a rock band called the Shaggs, whose dissonant 1969 album became an ’80s cult classic. This odd footnote in rock history now gets a wonderfully quirky, pitch-perfect musical treatment from Joy Gregory, Gunnar Madsen, and John Langs. Out actor and recording artist Kevin Cahoon is scene-stealer in multiple roles that include a DJ and producer.
Playwrights Horizons, through July 3.

 WTC View
Made into a 2005 film starring Michael Urie, Brian Sloan’s unsettling but entertaining 2003 drama enjoyed an intimate off-Broadway premiere with a limited engagement in the Americas Off-Broadway festival. Among a faultless young cast sharply directed by Andrew Volkoff, Nick Lewis was a revelation as Eric, a gay photographer who must interview roommates for his SoHo apartment after placing an ad September 10, 2001.
59E59 Theatres, closed June 5.

 Lucky Guy
Scheduled to run through July 24, Willard Beckham’s shamelessly corny musical comedy went bust early. Just don’t blame Will & Grace’s Leslie Jordan or drag darling Varla Jean Merman, who were a campy hoot as a car salesman and a country diva trying steal a song from a Nashville newbie played by out hottie Kyle Dean Massey, who, alongside out actress Jenn Colella as a wigmaker, almost stole the show with endless talent and charm.
Little Shubert Theatre, closed May 29.


For next month’s column, we’ll save you a seat at Unnatural Acts: Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920, Jackie Beat: Pray the Gay Away, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, and much more.