4.5 out of 5 stars

In "Calf Scramble," five actresses play teenage calf wranglers coming of age in Texas – and they double as their calves. That dual role playing is just one of the original aspects of Libby Carr’s engrossing play, which is executed winningly by a young cast. The wranglers tackle such subjects as religion, sex and identity, but the real story is how they learn to empathize with each other. Despite echoes of "John Proctor Is the Villain," this drama demands to be seen on its own terms. If there's one flaw, it's that the characters sometimes seem too eloquent for their age. — Adam Z. Horvath

Presented by Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters, through April 12, 2026; 59e59.org. (Review date: March 15, 2026)