Murray Monster may not be as famous as his amphibious and porcine companions, but he is a key reason why his TV show, Sesame Street, is still thriving deep into its 42nd season.

In a genre not known for its subtlety, this musical stayed away from stereotypes, portraying its two missionary heroes as deeply earnest, deeply flawed, and often deeply conflicted about their own beliefs.

The production is hardly a surprise attack by the nose-thumbing partners. It could be said they're going after Christianity as a whole with the appearance of a slang-spouting Jesus in a lustrous blond wig.

Spider-Man exemplifies a larger story -- the transformation of the Great White Way from a collection of buildings dedicated to advancing the art of theater to nothing less than a Broadway theme park.

What's the deal with the puppets? Puppets, like cartoons, used to be for kids. But these days, they're more often conduits for high-brow visual lyricism. Clearly, we in New York are having a puppet moment.