"Peerless" ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

Wow! We have just seen brilliant acting and directing, an eye-popping production and a fascinating story filled with laughs and surprises. What's not to like? Nothing. "Peerless" is as good as anything we've seen yet in 2017.

The author, Jiehae Park, says we are seeing a modern Macbeth, that she took her title from a speech by Banquo. That's author and reviewer talk. Shakespeare never made us laugh this hard.

Identical twins L (Rinabeth Apostol) and M (Tiffany Villarin) are every college administrator's nightmare. Consumed with getting into The College, where only one student from their school may be admitted each year, L and M have everything planned out perfectly, including transferring into a favorable suburban location and getting all their stats, extra-curriculars and grade-point averages in order. One will get in this year and one the following year, according to plan. You and then me.

Except for D, played fabulously by Jeremy Kahn. He is the one who has been given Early Acceptance into The School, not L. or M. Jeremy has allergies, ah, there's the rub.

Then there is BF (Cameron Matthews) and Dirty Girl (Rosie Hallett). Anyone who stands in the way of L and M must pay for their toil and trouble.

"Peerless" is as good to look at as it is to listen to. Scenic Designer Kate Noll and Lighting Designer Heather Basarab have outdone themselves. You never know which cool door someone will pop out of. And when they do, they are in Sydney Gallas's perfect outfits.

RATINGS: ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

The Thank God I Am No Longer in High School subdivision of the San Francisco Theater Blog awards "Peerless" Four Stars. Acting, directing (Margot Bordelon), story and set are spot-on perfect. Make sure not to miss this one.

"Peerless"

Marin Theater Company

397 Miller Avenue. Mill Valley

Through April 2

$22-$60