Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 5/6; ANYTHING GOES at Goodspeed, HEATHERS at TUTS Underground and More!

By: May. 06, 2016
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This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Connecticut, Houston, Los Angeles, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include ANYTHING GOES at Goodspeed, HEATHERS at TUTS Underground, and the West Coast Premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ in Los Angeles, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

ANYTHING GOES

1. Connecticut: Editor Joseph Harrison reviews ANYTHING GOES at Goodspeed Opera House. He says, "There are so many good things that are "The Top" in this production. First, Rashidra Scott as Reno Sweeney simply soars. Her presence on stage commands the audience, but when she starts to sing, she mesmerizes. From her opening number, "I Get a Kick out of You", to her show stopping delivery of "Blow, Gabriel, Blow", Ms. Scott delivers her Reno with a modern sensibility and a voice that fills the room. Her performance alone would make this production worth seeing, but there is so much more!" Read more here.

2. Boston, MA: Editor Nancy Grossman reviews FREUD'S LAST SESSION at New Repertory Theatre, Arsenal Center for the Arts. She says, "Thanks to New Repertory Theatre and playwright Mark St. Germain, you have the opportunity to witness a pair of skillful debaters onstage in Freud's Last Session, an imagined meeting of two of the 20th century's greatest academics. Suggested by The Question of God by Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr., the play pits fervent atheist Dr. Sigmund Freud against scholar and author C.S. Lewis, a former atheist whose epiphany allowed him to embrace Christianity. Their wide-ranging discussion covers many important topics, but it all comes down to the question of God's existence." Read more here.

Midwest

3. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko reviews a 'superb' THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEEANE at none too fragile. He says, "McDonagh's THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, which is now on stage at none too fragile theater, could serve as a master plate for well-written modern Irish plays. The black comedy, with tragic undertones, contains almost all of the traditional things-Irish." Read more here.

FENCES

5. Milwaukee, WI: Editor Peggy Sue Dunigan reviews FENCES at Milwaukee Rep. She says, "David Alan Anderson passionately recreates Troy, a man dashed by his dream to become a baseball player and instead finds himself driving a sanitation truck, the first African American in the city to be a driver. He has been responsible, even amid adversity, and perhaps as he says, "not liking" his son born to he and Rose, although he provides for Cory-the impressive actor Edgar Sanchez-even while Troy rejects, opposes Cory's desire to play football and gain a college scholarship. In part because Troy was banned from baseball due to the color of his skin, or his advanced age when he tried out for a Major League Baseball team." Read more here.

South/Southeast

6. Houston, TX: Editor Brett Cullum reviews HEATHERS at TUTS Underground. He says, "McKenna Marmolejo captures the right internal struggles of Veronica who is torn over feelings for J.D. and the horror of what is happening around her. She's a strong choice to lead the audience through the world created by the musical and an amazing singer. The three Heathers are also extremely well cast." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews the West Coast Premiere of THE BOY FROM OZ. He says, "Under Michael A. Shepperd's sterling direction, the ensemble are fantabulous. First of all, Shepperd's staging within the confines of the tiny space is phenomenal. With orchestra behind and stage left and three entrances and exits for actors, it's literally action center stage that includes some pretty wild and furious dance numbers choreographed with wondrous excitement by Janet Roston. Bongiorno is unbelievably charismatic, energetic and affable, matching Allen to a tee." Read more here.

DEATH TAKES AS HOLIDAY

8. Denver, CO: Editor Chris Arneson reviews DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY at Arvada Center. He says, "Saide's Death is debonair who can pull off a superb deadpan. His commanding vocals bring a powerful spirit to the reaper. Saide's final ballad "I Thought That I Could Live" is astounding. Hahn gives Grazia a vivacious disposition, flowing a lovely soprano tone throughout Maury Yeston's score. While her character may be frivolous, Hahn makes you understand her heart." Read more here.

International

9. UK/West End: Editor Jenny Eli reviews BAD JEWS at New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham. She says, "Ailsa Joy as Daphna is exceptional. Her high energy and delivery of the text - including many lengthy monologues - is faultless. Daphna is an exasperating character with her enhanced ego but as a performance by an actor, Joy is pitch perfect." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. North Carolina Editor Jeffrey Kare reviews the National Tour of 42ND STREET at Durham Performing Arts Center. He says, "The minute the curtain goes up to reveal a colorful cast of characters dancing to the brilliant choreography courtesy of Randy Skinner (who should be congratulated on receiving his most recent Tony nomination earlier this week for the Broadway production of Dames at Sea), you know you're going to be in for one hell of a night!" Read more here.

STUDENT BLOGGERS! We'd like to feature a few of our student bloggers below!

College: New Zealand college student, Dearna Doglione, blogs about Ali Harper's one-woman show 'The Doris Day Special' at Christchurch's Court Theatre. Read all about it here.
High School: Long Island high school student, Lily Erb, talks about stage kissing. Read her blog here.

*BONUS* - Did you know that we have 15 BWW spinoff sites, including TV, Movies, Dance, Opera, Classical Music, Books, Food & Wine, Fitness and more? Browse our site for all the latest in theatre, entertainment and other news and information!

This week, we welcome several new student bloggers, including: Erin Kong - college student in Phoenix, Leanne Marie Laurino - high school student in New Jersey, and Amanda Grillo - college student in Connecticut. We'd also like to welcome newest contributing writers Aaron Zilbermann in Dallas and Joni McClain in Austin.

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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