3.5 out of 5 stars

“Leni’s Last Lament” asks how someone signs on to a fascist takeover. It answers with a bravura portrayal of Leni Riefenstahl, the celebrated German filmmaker who became friend and (according to her, innocent) propagandist to Hitler. Effectively surrounded by film strips and clips, star Jodie Markell sings (Marlene Dietrich-style), poses, twirls, reminisces, flirts, admonishes and misdirects in ways both enchanting and intentionally appalling. But Markell, playwright Gil Kofman and director Richard Caliban also make sure to pound home today’s parallel threat. Even without several jarring, tossed-in references to Elon Musk and MAGA hats, that message comes through loud and clear. 3.5 out of 5 stars. At Paradise Factory, through June 14; paradisefactory.org. — Adam Z. Horvath

At Paradise Factory, through June 14, 2025; paradisefactory.org. (Review date: June 4, 2025)