Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 5/13; DRACULA in Rhode Island, AMERICAN IDIOT in Nashville and More!

By: May. 13, 2016
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This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Rhode Island, Nashville, Sacramento and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include DRACULA in Rhode Island, AMERICAN IDIOT in Nashville, and BIG FISH in Sacramento, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

DRACULA

1. Rhode Island: Editor Robert Barossi reviews DRACULA at OUT LOUD Theatre. He says, "Now in its fourth season, OUT LOUD Theatre has at times defied conventional definitions of storytelling and developed their own unique style. With its spectacular use of that style, their current production of Dracula is a gorgeous example of the company's storytelling prowess, wrapped in a unique and stunning piece of theatrical art." Read more here.

Midwest

2. Omaha, NE: Editor Christine Swerczek reviews LOST BOY FOUND IN WHOLE FOODS. She says, "From the moment we enter the beautiful set designed by Steven L Williams at Omaha Community Playhouse, we are drawn into the human drama unfolding before us. Gabriel, engagingly played by high school junior JusticeJamal Jones, warms us with his smile. "When God made Sudan," Gabriel says, "He cried. And he laughed. I try to always make someone smile, even if it is myself." We can't help being attracted to this handsome young man with the relentlessly positive outlook. Christine (Julie Fitzgerald Ryan) is inspired to befriend Gabriel." Read more here.

South/Southeast

3. Atlanta, GA: Editor Maggie Harney reviews I'M NOT RAPPAPORT at Aurora Theatre. She says, "Kenny Raskin (Nat) and Rob Cleveland (Midge) were thrilled to be "back on the bench", as they said in their bios, playing roles they had originated in the Atlanta premiere 27 years ago. While Midge prefers minding his own business, territorially claiming his "spot" on a particular bench in Central Park, Nat is relentless in his pursuit of storytelling and conversational exchanges, forging an unexpected friendship of sorts." Read more here.

4. Dallas, TX: New Editor Aaron Zilbermann reviews DEFERRED ACTION at the Wyly Theatre. He says, "Lozano and Trull write incredibly fluid dialogue, often shifting between Spanish and English, though you don't miss anything significant if your Spanish language skills are lacking. Perhaps a joke or two. The plot develops linearly, with short interruptions by Javi's dreams. Short scenes with chaotic yet beautifully choreographed transitions help demonstrate the desperate lives lived by many DREAMers, caught in between politics, life and love, and used as a wedge issue to divide the country." Read more here.

AMERICAN IDIOT

5. Nashville, TN: Editor Jeffrey Ellis reviews The Roxy Regional Theatre's AMERICAN IDIOT. He says, "As exhilaratingly in-your-face as only the very best of contemporary theater can deliver, Green Day's American Idiot - now onstage in a startlingly emphatic and exuberant production at Clarksville's Roxy Regional Theatre - exemplifies just how far the company itself has come since its beginnings as a community theater." Read more here.

West Coast

6. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews a reinvented GLASS MENAGERIE in Sierra Madre. He says, "Under Lebano's superb direction, all the actors flesh out their characters magnificently and find their own breathing space within the confines of the limited scenario. James is marvelous as Amanda, the mother who lived to love her children. She is especially affecting and very funny in her flights of fancy in Act II. Durso is one of the best Toms I have ever seen. Although physically aloof, he is completely emotionally engaged." Read more here.

7. Denver, CO: Editor Emilee Hatfield reviews SUNSET BLVD. at The Vintage Theatre. She says, "Throughout the show Hirschboeck and Ragonetti did very well portraying the emotional toll of their characters, they also were amazing vocally. With this production the cast did not need a mic due to the smallness of the theatre. This allowed the audience to hear the raw and purity of the actors voices. Among the cast vocally Ragonetti is stunning but there was also another that leant her voice perfectly. " Read more here.

BIG FISH

8. Sacramento, CA: Editor Harmony Wheeler reviews BIG FISH at Playhouse Merced. She says, "Andrew Burkum's enthusiastic Edward leads a glistening Playhouse Merced production with his determined "Alabama stomp" (the glistening much due to a fantastic lighting design). While Burkum and ensemble create the energy of the musical, Dianne Kocher as Edward's wife and Joe Hypes as his son take on its heart." Read more here.

International

9. Netherlands: Editor Mark Wagemakers reviews ARMIN ONLY EMBRACE World Premiere at Ziggo Dome. He says, "Exciting visuals, spectacular fireworks, crystal clear sound and over twelve thousand fans were united in the music temple of Amsterdam: the Ziggo Dome. Eric Vloeimans, one of the best trumpet players of this age opened the show with a mesmerizing improvisation on one of Armin's tracks." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Chicago Editor Kailey Hansen reviews CHICAGO at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago. She says, "MacLeod is also impressive, finding a comedic side (her duet of "Class" with Roz Ryan's "Big Mama Morton" is one of the funniest in the show) and playing the perfect washed-up showgirl, desperate for a moment of Roxie's publicity. Both MacLeod and Croman give very different performances but compliment each other, creating two contrasting women who will do just about anything to get a moment in the limelight." Read more here.

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

College: Connecticut college student, Amanda Grillo shares theatre ice breakers in her latest blog. Check it out here.
High School: Boston high school student Paisley Haddad blogs on Hamlet Mania. Check it out 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 Corrie Minkoff as our newest contributing writer in Connecticut, Jeff Shaevel in Austin, Mandie Russak who will be blogging about the China tour of MY FAIR LADY, high school blogger in Orlando - Anastasia Sims-Chin, and our first elementary school blogger in NYC, Eliza Porsella.

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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