Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 11/20; 42ND STREET Tour, MY FAIR LADY in New Orleans; Voting Open and More!

By: Nov. 20, 2015
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This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Baltimore, New Orleans, Seattle, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include the National Tour of 42ND STREET in Orange County, MY FAIR LADY in New Orleans, and COME FROM AWAY in Seattle, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

THE SECOND MRS WILSON

1. New Jersey: Editor Marina Kennedy reviews THE SECOND MRS WILSON at GSP. She says, "GSP has assembled a stellar cast that captures the true spirit of Woodrow Wilson's administration and personal life.John Glover masters the role of Wilson, just as you imagine him, and brings the 28th United States President to life before your eyes. Laila Robins as Edith is the only female character in the play. Robins maintains the ideal tenor for her role as the doting and determined first lady. The portrayals of the men that surround the president contribute real context to life and times of Woodrow Wilson. The acting is extraordinary with Sherman Howard as Senator Henry Cabot, Michael McGrath as Secretary Joe Tumulty, Richmond Hoxie as Vice President Thomas Marshall, Stephen Spinella as Colonel Edward House, and Stephen Barker Turner as Dr. Cary Grayson." Read more here.

2. Detroit, MI: Editor Anton Anderssen reviews Hilberry Theatre's THE GREAT GATSBY. He says, "Michael Manocchio is magnificent as Nick Carraway; he delivers his lines with aplomb and grace. As the narrator of the story, everything hinges on his performance, which was stellar. Choreography in this show is wonderful as the ensemble recreates the roaring 20s, featuring The Charleston; the costumes are absolutely beautiful." Read more here.

3. Baltimore, MD: Editor Charles Shubow reviews THE SECRET GARDEN at Center Stage. He says, "Kudos to Casting Director Stephanie Klapper who has assembled an amazing group of actors whose voices bring goose-bumps. Caitlin Cohn just sparkles every moment she's on stage. Brandi Burkhardt is mesmerizing as Lily.Kevin Early excels as Archibald Craven. Adam Monley's voice is powerful and has a superb duet with Early. Charlotte Maltby is a joy to watch as Martha and likewise Cameron Bartell as Dickon. And then there's Anthony Frederickson as little Colin. What a future he has ahead of him. Others in the ensemble who excel are Carolyn Connolly, Timothy McDevitt, Gayton Scott, Michael Yeshion, and Talia Noelle Zoll." Read more here.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

4. Rhode Island: Editor Veronica Bruscini reviews A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Trinity Rep. She says, "In the space of a few bars of song, Brian McEleney paints a very complete picture of the late Jacob Marley. His posture is ramrod straight as he meticulously counts silver pieces and marks down figures in a ledger, his entire bearing radiating cruelty and severity. When death finally comes for Marley, the change in his expression is chilling." Read more here.

5. Central PA: Editor Marakay Rogers reviews HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at Oyster Mill. She says, "Fortunately, at Oyster Mill Playhouse, Greg Merkel has assembled a cast that was, from the gate on opening night, able to handle the problems of farce timing and of making split-stage scenes work." Read more here.

South

6. New Orleans, LA: Editor Heidi Scheuermann reviews MY FAIR LADY at Jefferson Performing Arts Society. She says, "Desonier's leading man, Kris Shaw, proved to be equally talented in his portrayal of Henry Higgins. Henry Higgins is a character that I have always found incredibly funny. Of course, he is crass and rude and incredibly cocky; but, he's such a ridiculous person at times that it's just comical. Being the grammar nerd that I am, I absolutely love Henry's song "Why Can't the English?" While incredibly pompous, he kind of has a point! And who can forget how he shoves marbles in Eliza's mouth to help with her diction? Henry is a mad genius, and Shaw nailed this performance!" Read more here.

7. Charlotte, NC: Editor Vickie Evans reviews Soulful Singer Chante Moore. She says, "Then, the moment we all were waiting for...Chante Moore entered gracefully like a beautiful swan on the stage. From the moment she entered... until the moment she exited...she delivered hit after hit and then some. Beginning with her 1992 hit, Love's Taken Over, and ending with her number one showstopper, Chante's Got A Man, Chante woo'ed and serenaded us with feel good music. And who could forget her empowering tune, It's Alright." Read more here.

West

COME FROM AWAY

8. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews an "Emotionally transcendent COME FROM AWAY at Seattle Rep." He says, "Read Dear Readers, for those that may only read the beginnings of my reviews, I must start off this by telling you to stop reading this right now and go get tickets to the new musical "Come From Away" currently at the Seattle Rep. After you have done that you can come back and read the rest of this. I'll wait. Done? OK now that you've done that I can tell you that what you will be seeing is the best musical I've seen all year and possibly ever. At least it will rank in my top 10 of shows that have affected me so much with its sheer brilliant storytelling and heart. This one CANNOT be missed!" Read more here.

International

9. New Zealand: Editor Sam Jury reviews LOVE AND INFORMATION at The Basement Theatre. He says, "This is a strong ensemble cast, playing a wide range of different characters in different situations in a short space of time, where the moments have to be set up very quickly and with a clear sense of purpose and context. There is no narrative as such, and no recurring characters except for the character in "Depression" played sensitively by Chelsea Belle." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Editor Michael L. Quintos reviews the new tour of 42ND STREET at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. He says, "Earnestly cheerful and unabashedly optimistic, that feel-good, all-singing, all-dancing 1980 stage adaptation of Busby Berkeley's classic 1933 movie musical (itself based on the Bradford Ropes novel) is back on the road in a brand new, vibrant non-Equity tour with a couple of familiar names in the credits: Randy Skinner, who choreographed the Tony-winning 2001 Broadway revival, and his colleague, co-book writer Mark Bramble, who helmed and revised that very same production. Both creatives---who each received Tony nominations for their respective work in that revival---have returned to reintroduce their contributions to a new generation of theatergoers via its young, energetic, incredibly likable ensemble cast that brings vim and vigor to the aging Great-Great-Grand-Daddy of all backstage musicals." Read more here.

*BONUS* - We have opened voting for the BroadwayWorld Regional Awards in the following regions: Austin, Birmingham, Boise, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Connecticut, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Long Island,Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, Maine, Milwaukee, WI, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philippines, Phoenix, Raleigh,Rhode Island, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Santa Barbara, Seattle, South Africa, South Bend, Spain, St. Petersburg, Toronto, UK / West End, Vermont, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Wichita. Our local editors are working hard to proof for eligibility and errors, so stay tuned for the final regions to launch voting soon!

This week, we'd like to welcome Alan Portner as our newest editor in Kansas City, and Tracy Hopkins who is joining our BWW Dance team.

Want to join our growing team? We have positions available in several U.S. regions and International countries! Contact christina@broadwayworld.com for more information!



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