Transposing short stories by Japan's modernist writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa to New York, Michael John LaChiusa has come up with an ambitious triptych (two main segments, "R Shomon" and "Gloryday," and a slight, rather unnecessary one, "Kesa & Morito"), at least half of which ranks among his best work. That half is the first segment, "R Shomon," which makes the best of its 1950s noir setting: A swinging song such as "The Thief's Statement/She Looked at Me" segues into the free-flowing title track with great ease, and LaChiusa summons wonderfully moody atmosphere. Unfortunately, the second act, "Gloryday," is less successful--it's less pastichey and more "difficult," but that doesn't automatically means it's better. Even stentorian Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked) can't do much with "Coffee," though the ever-dependable Mary Testa lifts "There Will Be a Miracle." LaChiusa is also lucky to have chameleonic Marc Kudisch (Chitty Chitty Bang, the revival of Assassins) on hand in both pieces. It's exciting to see someone try to challenge musical theater, but in this case the glass is only half full. --Elisabeth Vincentelli