David Mamet's "American Buffalo" was revived at the Geffen with its concussive verbal force and fierce con games intact. MORE: The problem with David Mamet | Actor Bill Smitrovich talks 'American Buffalo'
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Charles McNulty’s best plays of 2013

David Mamet's "American Buffalo" was revived at the Geffen with its concussive verbal force and fierce con games intact. MORE: The problem with David Mamet | Actor Bill Smitrovich talks 'American Buffalo'

David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” was revived at the Geffen with its concussive verbal force and fierce con games intact. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

John Douglas Thompson and Glynn Turman brought anguish and ecstasy to the searing Mark Taper Forum revival of "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." MORE: Read the review

John Douglas Thompson and Glynn Turman brought anguish and ecstasy to the searing Mark Taper Forum revival of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

At the Douglas, Jennifer Haley's "The Nether" plunged us down the cyber hole, asking tough questions about virtual identity and morality.

At the Douglas, Jennifer Haley’s “The Nether” plunged us down the cyber hole, asking tough questions about virtual identity and morality. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A giant rotating steel wheel dominated the Getty Villa's "Prometheus Bound," but Ron Cephas Jones conveyed the anguish and defiance. MORE: Read the review

A giant rotating steel wheel dominated the Getty Villa’s “Prometheus Bound,” but Ron Cephas Jones conveyed the anguish and defiance. (Craig Schwartz / Getty Villa)

In "Rodney King" at the Douglas, Roger Guenveur Smith created a spoken-word portrait balancing empathy and truth. MORE: Read the review

In “Rodney King” at the Douglas, Roger Guenveur Smith created a spoken-word portrait balancing empathy and truth. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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