Four onstage treadmills await the four actors in Burnout Paradise and when the play begins they all spring into action. Jogging along without pause, the performers announce the challenges ahead. They must complete a series of tasks—be it delivering a monologue, cooking a meal, or tackling daily chores—all while collectively running 12 miles before time runs out. And there’s a catch: if they don’t make it, the audience gets a refund. The Australian theater company Pony Cam reminds us that “This is not an endurance test. It is a spirited realization that overachievement is no mere spectator sport. It relies on the kindness of strangers.” —Jeanne Malle