What do you remember about Pixar’s Up?

If I had to guess, it’s the tearjerking montage near the beginning of the movie.

One reason it’s so memorable: how often does the very start of a story make you cry?! 

Exactly.

And Brian d’Arcy James’ introductory monologue in Eurydice — now at New York’s Signature Theatre — pulls off a similar feat, a credit to his skill as an actor, Sarah Ruhl’s writing, and Les Waters’ direction. 

While we’re on the subject of drastic tonal changes, Operation Mincemeat’s “Dear Bill” careens us from the musical’s initial manic comedy into this three o’clock number’s heartbreaking tragedy. 

And what about a tragic ending that constitutes a ceaselessly comic play’s first plunge into emotional resonance? To experience such a denouement shift, get thee to Not Not Jane’s at Clubbed Thumb.