3 out of 5 stars

In “Shifters,” playwright Benedict Lombe offers a love story told through a series of “shifts” from the present to the past. It’s also a story of Black love -- she’s an artist who left her British home, he’s the confused soul who stayed behind; both are shaped not only by their African heritage, but also by scars from that past. It could be a powerhouse of a play, but it falls short -- partly because it’s overly long for a one-acter, but also because it begins to feel melodramatic. Still, the solid performances from Heather Agyepong and Daniel Ezra hold your attention. — Charles Passy

At the Cherry Lane Theatre, through Aug. 30, 2026; cherrylanetheatre.org. (Review date: July 18, 2026)