First Nighter: Sharyn Rothstein's "By the Water" Makes Strong Waves

Not that this'll ease those still suffering the devastating Hurricane Sandy effects, but it turns out the monstrously ill 2012 wind has blown a bit of good. By the Water, Sharyn Rothstein's drama at Manhattan Theatre Club's Studio at Stage II, is about a Staten Island family having immense difficulty overcoming the damage to their waterfront home. It's a first-rate play receiving a first-rate production. Mary Murphy (Deirdre O'Connell) and Marty Murphy (Vyto Ruginis) are devoted to each other an...