Capsule reviews of shows playing on Atlanta stages. (Unless otherwise noted, comments are by AJC theater critic Wendell Brock.)

LAST CHANCE

"Corpse!"

Gerald Moon's murder mystery tries desperately to be a West End comic thriller that overflows with a cleverly woven plot, verbal panache and a joyous touch of the absurd. Instead, "Corpse!" is all surface-level plot without poignant asides, not very funny and only mildly clever.

—- Pierre Ruhe

Final performance: 2:30 p.m. today. Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222, auroratheatre.com

RECOMMENDED

"Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL"

Wondrously re-envisioned by arranger Louis St. Louis and directed with graceful precision by Susan V. Booth, this gospelization of the 1971 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is an epochal event in the Alliance's 40-year history, virtually guaranteed to be the smash hit of the Atlanta season.

Through Feb. 22. Alliance Theatre. 404-733-5000, alliancetheatre.org

"Kooza"

Wusses beware. The latest offering from the Montreal-based circus is physical theater in the extreme. Not every trick lands perfectly, and the suspense level consistently operates from a place of pure fear.

Through March 1. Cirque du Soleil. Atlantic Station (In the big blue and yellow tent). 1-800-678-5440, cirquedusoleil.com

"Mauritius"

In Theresa Rebeck's dark comedy, two tiny slips of paper —- the "crown jewels" of the philately world —- are the impetus for an ever-shifting game of manipulation, betrayal, sibling rivalry and cunning. Talk about trading licks.

Through Feb. 21. Actor's Express. 404-607-7469, actors-express.com

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez