| My Top Ten Regional Musicals of 2013 |
|
| Posted by: |
Richard Connema 03:20 pm EST 12/27/13 |
|
This year I saw and reviewed 138 productions. Rather then give out my TOP TEN PRODUCTIONS I've decided to group them in categories such as Top Ten Regional non musicals, Top Ten actors & actresses in musicals and drama plus TOP TEN NON REGIONAL PRODUCTIONS which include SHN touring shows and others that are traveling to various cities.
FIRST MY TOP TEN REGIONAL MUSICALS OF 2013 (when I first them)
TOP TEN REGIONAL
.
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH---Boxcar production on one of the most inventive productions I saw all year. He transformed the intimate theatre into a cabaret with the Hedwig’s cast sometimes dancing on the tables.
SINGING IN THE RAIN---Diablo Theatre Company did a fantastic production that was worthy of a Broadway run with Ryan Drummond and Keith Pinto as a perpetual delight. Staci Arriaga chorography is astonishing.
CARNIVAL---42nd Street Moon—this was a captivating production. It burst with the vitality of Broadway know how and this group did a beautiful production of Bob Merrill’s musical
.
LITTLE ME—42nd Street Moon—what a great production of this musical. What a performance by Jason Graae. What a great cast surrounding Jason.
1776—American Conservatory Theatre---This was one that I was looking forward to since I had worked on the film. I was not disappointed. A handsome production with a great cast that used a lot of local actors.
CAMELOT---San Francisco Playhouse did a gothic version of the Leaner and Lowe’s musical with a great cast This is set in darker world.
NEXT TO NORMAL---I never thought a small company like Cutom Made Theatre could produce a provocative Broadway musical but I was wrong. Not only did they produce this rock-infused musical but made it up close and personal on their intimate stage with an outstanding cast of singers backed up with a six piece orchestra.
CARRIE THE MUSICAL---Ray of Light presented this version that played off Broadway. This was a fast pace energy driven two hour production with a great cast of young singers and dancers.
.SNOOPY !!!---42ND Street moon id a charming and appealing production of the Charles M Schulz comic character. It was fast, sharp pace with instantly recognizable characterizations of the line-drawn original. The cast was superb.
I MARRIED AN ANGEL---Director Greg MacKellan staging was solid with a great cast singing the melodic, witty and syncopated songs by Rodgers and Hart.
AVENUE Q----This marks the third time I have seen this musical and this was just as good as the Broadway production. In fact it was even more intimate in this smaller theatre. The whole cast was delightful in the New Conservatory Theatre Production.
HONORABLE MENTION:
LET’S SING A SHOW TUNE---Ron Lytle’s charming revue that played at the Alcove Theatre. This little revue reminded of the sharp sophisticated songs I used to hear and see in Greenwich Village, New York
IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S SUPERMAN---few companies who attempt this forgotten musical but the company did a splendid job
BEING EARNEST---THEATRE WORKS---Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska wrote this charming musical with a great cast.
DIRTY LITTLE SHOWTUNES---at New Conservatory Theatre Center was fast pace bawdy hilarious revue by Tom Orr. It featured five very talented singers beside Tom.
INTO THE WOODS---Ray of Light—In this Stephen Sondheim musical the fairy tales came to light. The company showed great courage in presenting this complex and difficult musical and they seceded in making this musical a fun production.
|
|
|
reply |
|
|
| Previous: |
My Top Ten Non-Regional Productions including Touring Productions - Richard Connema 03:30 pm EST 12/27/13 |
| Next: |
56 shows for me - dramedy 12:46 pm EST 12/29/13 |
|
| Thread: |
|