Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 11/27; LA CAGE in Boston, MOUSETRAP in Milwaukee and More!

By: Nov. 27, 2015
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This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Boston, South Bend, Milwaukee, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include LA CAGE in Boston, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS in South Bend, and MOUSETRAP in Milwaukee, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

LUMP OF COAL FOR CHRISTMAS

1. Washington, DC: Editor Keith Tittermary reviews Adventure Theatre's A LUMP OF COAL FOR CHRISTMAS. He says, "In a premier production, playwright Norman Allen takes the story by Lemony Snicket and expands it to a fun performance that every child and their chaperones will enjoy. At the heart of the story is the Lump of Coal, played by Ms. Weaver, who is normally known to adult audiences at Signature and Arena, here she introduces herself to the young audiences and keeps them in the palm of her hand. From her big voice belting out holiday classics in various styles to her witty banter with the young ones in the crowd, Ms. Weaver shows that she excels in whatever role she tackles, whether human or mineral." Read more here.

2. Boston, MA: Editor Kristen Morale reviews LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Cape Rep. She says, "Cape Rep's La Cage Aux Folles allows audiences the privilege of understanding why the original Broadway production of Fierstein's epic musical was the winner of six Tony's, and why this theater group's ambition to present fantastic pieces of theater and risk in undertaking such a challenging (and costly!) show has once again proven that the conclusion of its 30th Anniversary season is just as impressive and praise-worthy as its start. Not only do the costumes and choreography provide the glitz and gleam that essentially describes the very core of this show, but the actors themselves provide a tangible "spunk" to this production that demands itself to be released amongst sometimes unsuspecting audience members" Read more here.

3. Rockland/Westchester, NY: Editor Peter Danish reviews GOOD PEOPLE at Elmwood Playhouse, Nyack. He says, "A great play needs great characters and Margie, played with great zeal by Carmela Mondello, is a great character. Hailing from working-class south Boston, Margie is a single mother, has a disabled daughter to look after, and can barely pay her rent. To make matters worse - and to send the play's plot into high gear - Margie gets fired from her job at the Dollar Store for repeated lateness." Read more here.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

5. Long Island, NY: Editor Melissa Giordano reviews MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET at The Engeman. She says, "Engeman favorite Kim Carson splendidly portrays Doris, an executive at Macy's department store. After her Santa for the parade gets overly intoxicated, she unexpectedly meets Kris Kringle and immediately hires him as her new Santa. Ms. Carson's confident performance is received well particularly her rendition of "You Don't Know"." Read more here.

Midwest

6. South Bend, IN: Editor Katherine Waddell reviews LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at Notre Dame. She says, "The talent presented on stage was so phenomenal that I had goosebumps the entire time I was sitting in the audience. I spent the intermission texting everybody I knew about what an outstanding show I was watching and that it was everybody's loss that they weren't sitting next to me." Read more here.

7. Milwaukee, WI: Editor Peggy Sue Dunigan reviews MOUSETRAP at The Rep. She says, "With the clever and inventive mystery on stage, this impressive cast challenges the audience to determine the killer while sitting on the edge of their seats. Milwaukee's Kelley Faulkner creates a most charming Mollie Ralston, alongside her more pragmatic husband Giles, played by the equally accomplished Matthew Mueller. As the odd young man who never combs his hair, Christopher Wren, Brendan Meyer creates this idiosyncratic character with an eerie appeal. Renowned Milwaukee Rep Artistic Associates, Laura Gordon and Jonathan Gillard Daly, appear as the pessimistic Mrs. Boyle and retired Major Metcalf; the two actors are always a distinct pleasure to see at The Rep." Read more here.

West

DOG SEES GOD

8. Denver, CO: Editor Chris Arneson reviews DOG SEES GOD at Equinox Theatre. He says, "The entire ensemble delivers a punch. While most of the parts are played as caricatures, their over-the-top demeanor doesn't detract from the play's deeper messages. Standouts include Verdu's hot-tempered Matt, who is realisitically frightening; Hurd's Beethoven brings out a tangible honesty of being that kid who just needs some peace; Graham, as Van's Sister, only has one scene yet her capriciousness makes for a masterclass in timing." Read more here.

International

9. Sweden: Editor Isa Ponturo features Swedish actress, Marsha Songcome, who will be taking over the role of Gigi in MISS SAIGON from 14 December 2015 until the closing date 27 February 2016 at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. Read her feature here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Editor Kristen Hirsh Montag interviews Becky Gulsvig of BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, which plays through Nov. 29, 2015, at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre. Montag asks, "What was your earliest experience or moment when you knew that you wanted to make this your life's work?" and Gulsvig replies, "I was one of seven finalists from around the country to be the replacement Dorothy in the national tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ with Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. The tour did a massive search country-wide. My dad and I flew to Detroit and I stood in line all day and got the call that night that I was Detroit's finalist. They ended up changing plans and the tour ended up not continuing long enough for a replacement but all the finalists got a free trip to NYC and I had already prepared to graduate high school just in case. I made the move around the time of the "free trip" and then just stayed!" Read her full interview here.

*BONUS* - We have opened voting for the BroadwayWorld Regional Awards in the following regions:
Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boise, Boston, Buffalo, Central Pennsylvania, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus,Connecticut, Dallas, Delaware, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Long Island, Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, Maine, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Philippines, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Rhode Island, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sioux Falls, South Africa, South Bend, South Carolina, St. Petersburg, Toronto, Vermont, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Wichita. Good luck to all the nominees!

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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