Stephin Merritt's charming score to the new musical Coraline, presented by MCC Theater at the Lucille Lortel, is played largely on toy piano. That's just one of many bold choices in this adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel, featuring a book by David Greenspan and stylish direction by Leigh Silverman. While not every choice works, enough of them do to make the show a memorable and worthwhile experience.

The story follows nine-year-old Coraline Jones (Jayne Houdyshell), who has recently moved into a new house with her parents (Francis Jue and January LaVoy). One rainy afternoon, she discovers a door that seemingly opens onto a brick wall. But when she tries the door again later, she finds it l[...]