My Name Is Asher Lev

Playwright Aaron Posner's adaptation of Chaim Potok's book, which became an off-Broadway hit last year, takes the same premise of misunderstood artistic boy aching to break out of his social and religious confinements. For the most part, it's a compelling universal look at an artist's struggle to have a unique voice, but it falls short in sharing the complexity of the situations, making the main character unsympathetic at times. Tu, W, Th, F, Sa 8pm. Through 10/19. $23-$35. B3 Stage at the B Street Theatre, 2711 B St.; (916) 443-5300; www.bstreettheatre.org.