Second Stage Theatre

This off-Broadway theater company, which specializes in second productions of plays that were underappreciated in their first run, has found a second use for an old bank, and many notions of theater design have been turned smartly on their head in the refurbishment. Gone is darkness: the theater has huge dramatic windows; curtains close over them to signal the beginning of a performance. One of the gigantic walk-in safes is now the box office; the other holds safe-deposit boxes (for storing personal items) that will be up for sale. Umbrellas left here should be the safest in New York City.

--By Belinda Luscombe