Theater

Doubt: John Patrick Shanley's four-hander was the most-produced play by American regional theaters this decade; it will be certainly be running somewhere in 2020, and be just as entertaining.

Caroline, or Change: Tony Kushner's musical was a commercial disappointment but a beautifully written, endlessly fascinating piece of work.

(Photo: Joan Marcus)

Mamma Mia!: The biggest musical in the world, and the only show on Broadway likely still to be running in 2020.

(Photo: Joan Marcus)

Shining City: Conor McPherson's ghost story was spooky, scary, and maybe the best play of the decade.

(Photo: Joan Marcus)

The Clean House: Produced in New Haven, Chicago, D.C., and California before it ever made it to New York, Sarah Ruhl's drama reinforced the city's ever-poorer record of developing new plays—and regional theater's knack for developing great ones.

(Photo: Courtesy of Kiki and Herb)

Kiki and Herb Will Die for You: September 19, 2005, at a sold-out Carnegie Hall. In 2020, all your friends will claim they were there.

(Photo: Paul Kolnik)

The Coast of Utopia: Tom Stoppard capped off his remarkable decade with nine majestic, intelligent, fulfilling hours of drama.

(Photo: Joan Marcus)

In the Heights: In 2020, we may remember Lin-Manuel Miranda's reggaeton-meets-Sondheim musical as a step in the reinvigoration of the Broadway musical—or as yet another missed opportunity.

(Photo: Carol Rosegg)

Radio Golf: The last of August Wilson's era-defining cycle of plays, collectively the signature work of the American theater.

(Photo: Joan Marcus)

The Producers: "Man, remember when that silly musical with the dancing Nazis was the hottest ticket in town? How the hell did that happen?"

(Photo: Joan Marcus)

The Brother/Sister Plays: With this dramatic trilogy, the ambitious and talented Tarell Alvin McCraney laid the groundwork to be the next decade's great American playwright.