And yes, there were, and are, plenty of knockoffs.

They reject straightforward representation in their theatrical design, creating surreal universes of their own rather than adding to the store of knockoffs of the known world.

You might leave the Fountain Theatre, as I did, wondering what the point could be of an inferior knockoff when the original is available to rent online.

The knockoffs bear little resemblance to the city’s actual parking citations.

The Neil Patrick Harris years set an imposing bar for Tony broadcast opening numbers, and this year’s attempt, a strained variety-show knockoff that prematurely promised “this party’s for you,” didn’t end the drought.