4.5 out of 5 stars

From its rustic front-porch set to its beautiful rendering of bluegrass tunes, “The Porch on Windy Hill,” billed as “a new play with old music,” feels authentic. Adding to its power is a distinctive story: A Korean-American violinist, estranged from her white, Southern banjo-playing grandfather, encounters him unexpectedly. (The show’s four creators include the director and two of the trio of talented actor-musicians). Characters bond when they play the music they relish; whenever they stop, a clash edges closer. The play’s achievement is that when the mutual anger finally breaks out, it’s nuanced and affecting. Not for bluegrass fans only! — Adam Z. Horvath

At Urban Stages, through Oct. 11, 2025; urbanstages.org. (Review date: Sept. 21, 2025)