The new play “Indivisible” by Taylor Doherty, is a fascinating mind game. Its Northern America premiere at iTheatre Collaborative is an impressive production.

Something bad happened to Nearly Naked Theatre’s world premiere adaptation of the classic “Phaedre” tale. Last spring, in a workshop production, Damon Dering’s script had potential. There were things that needed fixing including a story that drifted aimlessly back and forth between the ancient past, when the tale was originally set, and the present. The promise last spring was that a revised version that learned from the workshop would be part of this year’s Nearly Naked season. The retooled “Phaedre” is a disaster.

“Avenue Q” debuted on Broadway in 2003 and dazzled audiences with its delightfully entertaining puppets who made pointedly hilarious comments about contemporary life. It’s taken too long to get this funny show to Valley audiences but it finally arrived Tuesday at ASU Gammage in a sharp production that gets across the musical’s pithy humor while capturing its uplifting effervescence. The message is simple. In the face of today’s confusing and conflicting life styles and foibles, it’s possible to carve out your own unique life.

Cancer’s cure has eluded scientists for years. Discovering that cure is at the heart of “Secret Order,” a fascinating new play by Bob Clyman now at Actors Theatre in a supercharged production that is fantastically engaging and thought provoking.

“The Light in the Piazza” is a delicate romantic musical that deals sensitively with an emotionally and developmentally challenged young woman who discovers love for the first time. The lovely Phoenix Theatre production, like many of their recent musicals, equals and occasionally betters the stunning Broadway original.

As a musical theater lover, I wondered if Arizona Theatre Company’s regional debut of “[title of show],” a piece about two New York writers creating their first musical, would appeal to Valley theatergoers. It’s crammed with obscure musical theater references including titles of long forgotten musical failures. It’s loaded with insider tricks used to write musicals, and it’s full of jokes best understood by Broadway musical denizens.

I shouldn’t have worried. A large and appreciative opening night audience guffawed lustily throughout this marvelously entertaining show. The show’s success is also attributable to David Ira Goldstein’s clever and energized staging and a cast who delivers the show’s delicious comedy with irreverent mockery while adding subtle jabs and hysterical jests to the already funny affair.

I haven’t laughed as hard as I did at Stray Cat Theatre’s “The Play About the Naked Guy” in a long time. But, let me start this review with a warning. This very funny play will appeal to a select audience that enjoys sexual innuendo jokes and slurs.

The stage adaptation of Disney’s magical “Mary Poppins” arrived last week at ASU Gammage, and the scaled down but still elaborate touring version flows better than the clunky Broadway one.

There were surprises in the five Broadway musicals I saw last month.