Sunday, December 31, 2023

Stageworthy - Best of Stage 2023

If you don't count the shows I saw at amusement parks (and the ones at Canada's Wonderland, Cirque Ambient in the summer, and Tinker's Toy Factory and Four Drummer's Drumming at Winterfest, we're actually VERY good!), then I saw 41 stage shows plus 9 concerts. Seeing things 52 times total (once you count repeats). Granted a few shows we're just repeats from previous years (A Streetcar Named Desire starring Patsy Ferran and Paul Mescal, Groundhog Day starring Andy Karl, etc) so I still have not see as many new shows as I did in pre-pandemic years. 

Still, while I saw less shows than normal, I think I got more discerning choosing which shows to attend, so felt like overall everything I saw this year was very good, with very few shows that disappointed. 


Any shows (same production version) I had seen in previous years are ineligible for this year's list.
For previous years Best of Stage Lists:



Here's the Best of Stage 2023:

1. The Master Plan - Crow's Theatre in the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON
Written by Michael Healey, Directed by Chris Abraham

               


2. Prodigal - The Howland Company in association with Crow's Theatre in the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON
Written and Directed by Paolo Santalucia 



3. The Land Acknowledgment, or As You Like It (Play) - Crow's Theatre at CAA Theatre - Toronto, ON
Created and Written by Cliff Cardinal, Co-conspirator Chris Abraham



4. the hooves belonged to the deer - Tarragon Theatre Mainstage - Toronto, ON
Written by Makram Ayache, Directed by Peter Hinton-Davis



5. King Gilgamesh & The Man of the Wild - Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Baillie Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON
By Ahmed Moneka, Jesse Lavercombe, and Seth Bockley, Directed by Seth Bockley



6. I Love the Smell of Gasoline - Nightwood Theatre at Aki Studio - Toronto, ON
Created by Claren Grosz, Co-Directed by William Dao and Claren Grosz




Solid Revivals:

Cabaret - Lido 2 Paris - Paris, FR

Pygmalion - Old Vic Theatre - London, UK



Breakthrough Performances (in alphabetical order):

Andrew Chown in Bad Roads
Trevor Coll in Rock of Ages
Jonathan Cullen in Rock of Ages
Katherine Gauthier in Bad Roads
Mei Mac in untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play
Andrea Macasaet in Rent
Jade McLeod in Jagged Little Pill
Dan Mousseau in Prodigal
J Antonio Rodriguez in Hadestown
Nabil Traboulsi in Martyr



Great Performances (in alphabetical order):

The cast of A Strange Loop: Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea, Danny Bailey, Kyle Birch, Eddie Elliott, Sharlene Hector, Tendai Humphrey Sitima, Yeukayi Ushe  

The cast of the hooves belonged to the deer: Makram Ayache, Noor Hamdi, Ryan Hollyman, Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski, Eric Wigston, Bahareh Yaraghi 

The cast of The Master Plan: Christopher Allen, Ben Carlson, Philppa Domville, Peter Fernandes, Tara Nicodemo, Yanna McIntosh, Mike Shara

The cast of Prodigal: Michael Ayres, Veronica Hortiguela, Cameron Laurie, Dan Mousseau, Nancy Palk, Rick Roberts, Hallie Seline, Meghan Swaby, Shauna Thompson, Jeff Yung

The cast of Things I Know To Be True: Alanna Bale, Michael Derworiz, Christine, Horne, Daniel Maslany, Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna

The cast of Vierge: Yvonne Addai, JD Leslie, Kudakwashe Rutendo, Shauna Thompson

Bertie Carvel in Pygmalion 
Steffi Didomenicantonio in Rock of Ages
Patsy Ferran in Pygmalion
Jesse Lavercombe in King Gilgamesh & The Man of the Wild
Ahmed Moneka in King Gilgamesh & The Man of the Wild
Erica Peck in Rent
Ron Pederson in Chaos Menu: Disorder Up! 
Julie Reiber in Jagged Little Pill
Lee Siegel in Rent
Tom Weston-Jones in untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play
Eleanor Worthington-Cox in The Secret Life of Bees



____________________________________________________

Here is every Stage Show I saw in 2020 in alphabetical order. All reviews are based on a 5 stars system (Workshop, Labs, Readings, Concerts and Cabarets are not graded):

Ain't Too Proud (Musical) - CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre - Toronto, ON - **1/2

An Evening with Audra McDonald (Concert) - Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall - Toronto, ON

A Strange Loop (Musical) - National Theatre at Barbican Theatre - London, UK - ****

A Streetcar Named Desire (Play Revival) - Almeida Theatre - London, UK - ****

A Wrinkle in Time (Play) - Stratford Theatre Festival in the Avon Theatre - Stratford, ON - **1/2

Bad Roads (Play) - Crow's Theatre in the Studio Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON - ****

Boy George & Culture Club: The Letting It Go Show (Concert) - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON
Opening Acts Howard Jones, Berlin

Cabaret (Musical Revival) - Lido 2 Paris - Paris, FR - ****1/2

Chaos Menu: Disorder Up! (Comedy) - The Second City Toronto Mainstage - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Charlie Puth: The 'Charlie' Live Experience (Concert) - Budweiser Amphitheatre - Toronto, ON

Chris, Mrs. (Musical) - Winter Garden Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown (Concert) - Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall - Toronto, ON

The Darkest Dark (Play) - Young People's Theatre Mainstage - Toronto, ON - ***

Dean Brody & Friends Present The Brodeo (Concert) - Budweiser Amphitheatre - Toronto, ON
Opening Acts Tyler Joe Miller, Nate Smith, Griffen Palmer, Meghan Patrick

Deon Cole: My New Normal Tour (Comedy) - OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino - Niagara Falls, ON

Dierks Bentley: Gravel and Gold Tour (Concert) - Budweiser Amphitheatre - Toronto, ON
Opening Act Jordan Davis

English (Play) - Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Baillie Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Girls & Boys (Play) - Here For Now Theatre at Crow's Theatre in the Studio Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON - ****

Groundhog Day (Musical) - Old Vic Theatre - London, UK - ****1/2

The Guide to Being Fabulous (Musical) - Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Hadestown (Musical) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Hamilton (Musical) - Peggy National Tour at Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

the hooves belonged to the deer (Play) - Tarragon Theatre Mainstage - Toronto, ON - ****

I Love the Smell of Gasoline (Play) - Nightwood Theatre at Aki Studio - Toronto, ON - ****

In Dreams (Musical) x2 - CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Jagged Little Pill (Musical) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Jonas Brothers: The Tour (Concert) - Rogers Centre - Toronto, ON 
Opening Act Lawrence

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Musical Revival) x2 - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

King Gilgamesh & The Man of the Wild (Play) - Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Baillie Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ****

The Land Acknowledgment, or As You Like It (Play) - Crow's Theatre at CAA Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Les Belles-Soeurs (Play Revival) - Stratford Theatre Festival in the Festival Theatre - Stratford, ON - **

Maggie (Musical) - Theatre Aquarius - Hamilton, ON - ***1/2

Martyr (Play) - ARC at Native Earth Performing Arts in Aki Studio - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

The Master Plan (Play) - Crow's Theatre in the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Mozart & Rachmaninoff (Concert) - Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall - Toronto, ON

Pressure (Play) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Prodigal (Play) - The Howland Company in association with Crow's Theatre in the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Pygmalion (Play Revival) - Old Vic Theatre - London, UK - ****

Rent (Musical Revival) - Stratford Theatre Festival in the Festival Theatre - Stratford, ON - ***1/2

Return to Grace (Musical) - OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino - Niagara Falls, ON - **1/2

Rock of Ages (Musical Revival) - Elgin Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

The Secret Life of Bees (Musical) - Almeida Theatre - London, ON - ****

Six (Musical) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Skyline's The Limit (Comedy) - The Second City Toronto Mainstage - Toronto, ON - ***

Spamalot (Musical Revival) - Stratford Theatre Festival in the Avon Theatre - Stratford, ON - ***

Things I Know To Be True (Play) - CAA Panasonic Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play (Play) - Young Vic Theatre - London, UK - ***1/2

Vierge (Play) - Factory Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Women at Play(s) 5 (Short Plays) - Red Sandcastle Theatre - Toronto, ON 
The Caved That Hummed a Song
Eminent Domain
Falling Upwards
Missing You
Women of the Highlands
Woodcocks

Yerma (Play Revival) - Coal Mine Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

__________________________________________________________________
Previous Best-of Lists:

Best of 2020 List:

Best of 2020 List:
Best of Stage 2020

Best of 2019 List:
Best of Stage 2019

Best of 2018 List:
Best of Stage 2018

Best of 2017 List:
Best of Stage 2017

Best of 2016 List:
Best of Stage 2016

Best of 2015 List:
Best of Stage 2015

Best of 2014 List:
Best of Stage 2014

Best of 2013 List:
Best of Stage 2013

Best of 2012 Lists:
Best of Music 2012
Best of Stage 2012

Best of 2011 Lists:
Best of Music 2011
Best of Television 2011
Best of Stage 2011


Best of 2010 Lists:
Best of Music 2010
Best of Television 2010
Best of Stage 2010
Best of Movies 2010


Best of 2009 Lists:
Best of Music 2009
Best of Television 2009
Best of Stage 2009
Best of Movies 2009


Decadeworthy - The Best of 2000-2009 Lists:
SYTYCDworthy (w/ Videos) - List Format
Theatre of the Decade
Best Films of the Decade
Favorite Films of the Decade
Television of the Decade
Television of the Decade - 1 Season Wonders


Best of 2008 Lists:
Best of Music 2008
Best of Television 2008
Best of Stage 2008
Best of Movies 2008
Best of Television Fall '07 - Winter '08 List


Best of 2007 Lists:
Best of Music 2007
Best of Television 2007
Best of Movies 2007
Best of Stage 2007
Best of 2007 (The Final Wrap Up)
Best of Television Fall '06 - Winter '07 List


Best of 2006 Lists:
Best of Music 2006
Best of Television 2006
Best of Movies 2006
Best of 2006
Best of Television Fall '05 - Winter '06 List


Best of 2005 Lists:
Best of Television 2005
Best of Movies 2005



Photo of the hooves belonged to the deer by Cylla Von Tiedemann
All other photos by Dahlia Katz



Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com





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Saturday, December 31, 2022

Stageworthy - Best of Stage 2021 & 2022

Because these lists are based on my own arbitrary rules anyways, I had decided to combine my list from 2021 and 2022 since I'm still easing into going back to see live shows on stage. 

In the last 2 years, I went to see live stage shows 72 times (of 66 individual shows including concerts). With 8 shows in 2021 and 64 shows in 2022. 





Here's the Best of Stage 2021 and 2022:

1. The Last Return - Druid at Gate Theatre - Dublin, IE
Written by Sonya Kelly, Directed by Sara Joyce


It starts with what feels like bad expository writing until you realize what Sonya Kelly is doing in her absurdist comedy about people waiting in line for the last return ticket at the theatre. So yes, I'm putting this wild ride of a theatrical play about trying to get into a show, at the top of my list of the best shows on stage. 



2. Alice in Wonderland - Bad Hats Theatre at Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON
Adapted by Fiona Sauder, Music by Landon Doak and Victor Pokinko, Directed by Sue Miner, Dramaturgy by Matt Pilipiak


Bad Hats Theatre has yet again turned a children's classic that is one of my least faves, and with some ingenious creativity, original catchy songs, and a cast brimming with hearts and humour, turned in an original version of Alice in Wonderland. 



3. & Juliet - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON
Book by David West Read, Music by Max Martin and Friends, Directed by Luke Sheppard


If you think Shakespeare needed more Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys songs in them, well I did too. What a blast, with a Broadway-bound cast that squeezed in all those Max Martin songs with just the right cheeky humour that finally understood the Shakey assignment. 



4. Red Velvet - Crow's Theatre in the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON 
Written by Lolita Chakrabarti, Directed by Cherissa Richards


This play had made its rounds in theatres around the world after a London debut a decade ago, and for good reason. An immensely entertaining imagined play about the true events of Black actor Ira Aldridge as he makes a name for himself in the acting world, particularly when he takes the role of Othello in 19th century London. 



5. Kamloopa (Play) - Soulpepper Theatre Company and Native Earth Performing Arts in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON
Written and Directed by Kim Senklip Harvey


While it ends as a road trip play, the first act is grounded in an apartment with three young Indigenous women trying to make their way in our current world in this freshly funny and sneakily heartfelt play. 



6. Best of Enemies - Young Vic Theatre - London, UK
Written by James Graham, Directed by Jeremy Herrin


This time, it's 1968 and William F Buckley and Gore Vidal are debating about the next US Presidential election. Considering I knew nothing of these two, Graham is an expert in taking real life political moments and dramatizing them into entertaining and enlightening plays, with this latest, directed with efficient flair by Herrin. 



7. Carousel - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre - London, UK
Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Directed by Timothy Sheader


The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that usually isn't one of my faves, directed here by Sheader in a magical night out in the open air that somehow made clearer the magic of this musical theatre classic. The chemistry between Carly Bowden and Declan Bennett, and Bennett's Billy Bigelow that actually felt troubled, sharpened Rodgers' story, making the ultimate ending all the more heartbreaking. 



8. (Tie) Modern Classics Revivals
Doubt: A Parable - Breaking and Entering Theatre in The Church of the Holy Trinity - Toronto, ON
Written by John Patrick Shanley, Directed by Stewart Arnott

The Weir - Abbey Theatre - Dublin, IE
Written by Conor McPherson, Directed by Catriona McLaughlin



Somehow I had never seen these two modern classics until these two revivals. With Doubt: A Parable done by a new local Toronto theatre company performed in an actual church, while The Weir haunted the Abbey Theatre starring Brendan Coyle in the older role after having been in the original production as the barkeep. Both beautiful productions with terrific casts showing why these modern classics are great plays deserving to be modern classics






Breakthrough Performances (in alphabetical order):

Philippe Arroyo in & Juliet
Gabrielle Brooks in Get Up Stand Up!: The Bob Marley Musical
Lorna Courtney in & Juliet
Carly Mercedes Dyer in Anything Goes
Oyin Oladejo in Is God Is
Declan Spaine in Get Up Stand Up!: The Bob Marley Musical
Ben Jackson Walker in & Juliet
Kaitlyn Yott in Kamloopa


Great Performances (in alphabetical order):

The cast of Doubt: A Parable: Deborah Drakeford, Brian Bisson, Emma Nelles, Kim Nelson

The cast of The Last Return: Anna Healy, Bosco Hogan, Fionn Ó Loingsigh, Rebecca O'Mara, Naima Swaleh

The cast of The Weir: Jolly Abraham, Peter Coonan, Brendan Coyle, Sean Fox, Marty Rea

Karl Ang in Cockroach
Jonathan Bailey in Cock
Matt Baram in Indecent
Carly Bawden in Carousel
Declan Bennett in Carousel
Paul Bettany in The Collaboration
Yolanda Bonnell in Kamloopa
Katie Brayben in Tammy Faye
Ronnie Burkett in Little Dickens
Ellen Denny in Red Velvet
Ayesha Dharker in Chasing Hares
Jake Epstein in Boy Falls From the Sky
Patsy Ferran in A Streetcar Named Desire
Alexis Gordon in Room
Jonathan Gould in Indecent
Kit Harrington in Henry V
Cush Jumbo in Hamlet
Allan Louis in Red Velvet
Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire
Hadyn Oakley in Anything Goes
Jeremy Pope in The Collaboration
Andrea Rannells in Tammy Faye
Amelia Sargisson in Red Velvet 
Vanessa Sears in Alice in Wonderland and Is God Is
Charlie Stemp in Mary Poppins
Anjana Vasan in A Streetcar Named Desire
Betsy Wolfe in & Juliet


____________________________________________________

Here is every Stage Show I saw in 2020 in alphabetical order. All reviews are based on a 5 stars system (Workshop, Labs, Readings, Concerts and Cabarets are not graded):

& Juliet (Musical) x2 - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Alice in Wonderland (Musical) - Bad Hats Theatre at Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Angels' Atlas & Soul & Serenade (Ballet) - National Ballet of Canada at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - ****

Anything Goes (Musical Revival) x2 - Palace Theatre - Manchester, UK - ***1/2

A Streetcar Named Desire (Play Revival) - Almeida Theatre - London, UK - ****

Back to the Future The Musical (Musical) - Adelphi Theatre - West End - London, UK - ***1/2

Bad Parent (Play) - Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ***

Best of Enemies (Play) - Young Vic Theatre - London, UK - ****

Billionaire Boy (Musical) - Liverpool Empire - Liverpool, UK - **1/2

Blindness (Play) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Boy Falls From the Sky (Musical) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

Carousel (Musical Revival) - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre - London, UK - ****

Carson and Taylor Promise To Do A Bunch of Flips (Play) - Toronto Fringe Festival at Ada Slaight Hall in Daniels Spectrum - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Charlie Puth: One Night Only (Concert) - Massey Hall - Toronto, ON

Chasing Hares (Play) - Young Vic Theatre - London, UK - ***1/2

Chicago (Musical Revival) - Stratford Theatre Festival in the Festival Theatre - Stratford, ON - ***1/2

Choir Boy (Play) - Canadian Stage Company in the Bluma Appel Theatre at Meridian Hall - Toronto, ON - ****

The Choir of Man (Musical) - Avalon Theatre at Fallsview Casino Resort - Niagara Falls, ON - ***

Cock (Play Revival) - Ambassadors Theatre - London, UK - ***1/2

Cockroach (Play) - Tarragon Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

The Collaboration (Play) - Young Vic Theatre - London, UK - **

Come From Away (Musical) x2 - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - *****

'da Kink in my Hair (Play Revival) - Bluma Appel Theatre at Meridian Hall - Toronto, ON - ****

Double Murder (Dance) - Hofesh Shechter Company at Home - Manchester, UK - ****
Clowns - ****
The Fix - ****

Doubt: A Parable (Play Revival) - Breaking and Entering Theatre in The Church of the Holy Trinity - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Fisherman's Friend the Musical (Musical) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Gay for Pay with Blake & Clay (Play) - Crow's Theatre in the Studio Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON - ****

Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical (Musical) - Lyric Theatre - West End - London, UK - ***1/2

Hamlet (Play Revival) - Young Vic Theatre - London, UK - **

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play) - CAA Mirvish Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Henry V (Play Revival) - Donmar Warehouse - London, UK - ***1/2

Imagine Dragons: Mercury Tour (Concert) - Rogers Centre - Toronto, ON

Indecent (Play) - Studio 180 at CAA Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

Is God Is (Play) - Canadian Stage Company in the Berkeley Street Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

Jesus Christ Superstar (Musical Revival) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Musical Revival) x2 - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Josh Groban: Harmony Tour (Concert) - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON

Kamloopa (Play) - Soulpepper Theatre Company and Native Earth Performing Arts in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ****

The Last Return (Play) - Druid at Gate Theatre - Dublin, IE - *****

Little Dickens - Canadian Stage Company in the Berkeley Street Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

Mandy Moore: In Real Life Tour (Concert) - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All! (Concert) - Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON 

Mary Poppins (Musical) - Prince Edward Theatre - West End - London, UK - ***1/2

Mean Girls (Musical) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - **

The Miser (Play Revival) - Stratford Theatre Festival in the Festival Theatre - Stratford, ON - ***

National Ballet's Sharing the Stage (Ballet) - Harbourfront Centre Concert Stage - Toronto, ON

OneRepublic: Never Ending Summer Tour (Concert) - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON

Orphan Song (Play) - Tarragon Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ***

Post-Democracy (Play) - Tarragon Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ***

Public Enemy (Play) - Canadian Stage Company in the Berkeley Street Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

Red Velvet (Play) - Crow's Theatre in the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest - Toronto, ON - ****

Rent (Musical Revival) - The Burloak Theatre Group at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts - Oakville, ON

Room (Play) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2


Sarah McLachlan (Concert) - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON

The Shark is Broken (Play) x2 - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Singin' in the Rain (Musical Revival) x 2 - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

Sister Act (Musical) - Palace Theatre - Manchester, UK - **1/2

Six Chick Flicks Or A Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced On the Beaches While Writing A Notebook On The Titanic (Play) - Toronto Fringe Festival at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ****

Snow White (Play) - Young People's Theatre on the Ada Slaight Stage - Toronto, ON - ****

Statistics (Musical) - Toronto Fringe Festival at Ada Slaight Hall in Daniels Spectrum - Toronto, ON - **1/2

Tammy Faye (Musical) - Almeida Theatre - London, UK - ****

The Weir (Play Revival) - Abbey Theatre - Dublin, IE - ****

Welcome Back to the Future (Comedy) - The Second City - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Where the Blood Mixes (Play) - Soulpepper Theatre Company and Native Earth Performing Arts in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ****

Wildfire (Play) - Factory Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***


__________________________________________________________________
Previous Best-of Lists:

Best of 2020 List:
Best of Stage 2020

Best of 2019 List:
Best of Stage 2019

Best of 2018 List:
Best of Stage 2018

Best of 2017 List:
Best of Stage 2017

Best of 2016 List:
Best of Stage 2016

Best of 2015 List:
Best of Stage 2015

Best of 2014 List:
Best of Stage 2014

Best of 2013 List:
Best of Stage 2013

Best of 2012 Lists:
Best of Music 2012
Best of Stage 2012

Best of 2011 Lists:
Best of Music 2011
Best of Television 2011
Best of Stage 2011


Best of 2010 Lists:
Best of Music 2010
Best of Television 2010
Best of Stage 2010
Best of Movies 2010


Best of 2009 Lists:
Best of Music 2009
Best of Television 2009
Best of Stage 2009
Best of Movies 2009


Decadeworthy - The Best of 2000-2009 Lists:
SYTYCDworthy (w/ Videos) - List Format
Theatre of the Decade
Best Films of the Decade
Favorite Films of the Decade
Television of the Decade
Television of the Decade - 1 Season Wonders


Best of 2008 Lists:
Best of Music 2008
Best of Television 2008
Best of Stage 2008
Best of Movies 2008
Best of Television Fall '07 - Winter '08 List


Best of 2007 Lists:
Best of Music 2007
Best of Television 2007
Best of Movies 2007
Best of Stage 2007
Best of 2007 (The Final Wrap Up)
Best of Television Fall '06 - Winter '07 List


Best of 2006 Lists:
Best of Music 2006
Best of Television 2006
Best of Movies 2006
Best of 2006
Best of Television Fall '05 - Winter '06 List


Best of 2005 Lists:
Best of Television 2005
Best of Movies 2005


Photo of The Last Return by Ste Murray
Photo of Alice in Wonderland and Doubt: A Parable by Dahlia Katz
Photo of Red Velvet by John Lauener
Photo of Kamloopa by Tim Matheson
Photo of Best of Enemies by Wasi Daniju
Photo of Carousel by Johan Persson
Photo of The Weir by Ros Kavanagh
Photo of & Juliet from press materials.


Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com


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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Stageworthy - Best of Stage 2020

We know. It's been a year. And a devastating year for live performing arts. None which need reminding. 
Still, there were some shining moments before the world shut down. I managed to see 32 different shows (for a total of 37 times. The multiples were on a ship incidentally when Pandemic was declared) and still managed to see shows in Toronto, London, New York, and Dublin, before the world stopped (and moved online) and I stayed at home. 

Now I'm not going to debate whether online zoom theatre is theatre or not, as I saw a lot of wonderful online workshop and readings and Zoom plays and even by the end of the year, some plays that were designed to be seen online (acts of faith from Factory Theatre, Hags, Contractions, What Do We Need To Talk About? from the Public Theatre, Oedipus El Rey from CGTLA, Heroes of the Fourth Turning etc.) and NT Live, the Shows Must Goes On series, Hampstead Theatre, Stratford Festival, and many other theatres opened up their archives to show past shows filmed for viewing. However, I didn't keep track of them all after watching a ton of them, and I found it hard to judge some of these online theatre sometimes with technical difficulties and such so I've kept this list and archive of the shows still to the shows I saw live on stage. 

Any shows (same production version) I had seen in previous years are ineligible for this year's list.
For previous years Best of Stage Lists:

And alas, despite seeing far less shows than a typical year, there were still many worthy of particular mention. Granted some are London productions of shows that I missed in NYC in previous years, some are shows that opened at the end of 2019 but I only finally saw in 2020, and one was a show I missed year after year and finally caught why it kept getting remounted. Alas...

Here's the Best of Stage 2020:

1. Fairview - Young Vic Theatre - Main House - London, UK
Written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, Directed by Nadia Latif
 

It's difficult to speak about this play without revealing any spoilers, and one should go in knowing as little as possible, but I will say the very divisive reactions from it, was partly what me love it. While I was thoroughly enjoying the play, there's a moment in the play that splits the audience and the uncomfortable tension made me laugh even more. 



2. Teenage Dick - Donmar Warehouse - West End - London, UK -
Written by Mike Lew, Directed by Michael Longhurst


Richard II was a dick even as a teenager, in Mike Lew's teenage update of the Shakespeare tragedy. And while the premise allows for many clever and funny comparisons, Lew doesn't skimp on the darkness within this teenage Dick II, with a star making performance by Daniel Monks. 



3. Peter Pan - Bad Hats Theatre at Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON
Adapted by Fiona Sauder and Reanne Spitzer, Music by Landon Doak, Directed by Severn Thompson


I missed this Bad Hats production year after year and finally caught it in what seems like an annual winter holiday run and I finally got to see why. A fun and imaginative take on the classic tale of Peter Pan, with a joyous cast and splendid original music, it's truly a magical ride for boys and girls of all ages, even those that ended up growing up. 



4. Cambodian Rock Band - Signature Theatre in the Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY 
Written by Lauren Yee, Featuring Songs by Dengue Fever, Directed by Chay Yew


Things seem muddled at first, but as the songs by Dengue Fever rock out, stories and characters clear up in a father and daughter who find a new understanding as secrets from the past in Cambodia are discovered. Once the show finds its rhythm, the beats are loud and bang on, with a rocking score that counterpoints the tragic story. 



5. We're Gonna Die - 2nd Stage in the Tony Kiser Theater - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY
Written by Young Jean Lee, Directed and Choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly


A play? A concert? A musical? Whatever you call it, Young Jean Lee, with the help of some musicians, and Raja Feather Kelly, have created a theatrical extravaganza on the musings of death, and in the process, of life. A lyrical performance that still beats with humour and heart (and awesome beats) with a central anchoring performance by Janelle McDermoth.



6. The Hot Wing King - Signature Theatre in the Griffin Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY
Written by Katori Hall, Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III


A saucy and delicious funny new play about a group of gay Black men on their way to a hot wing barbecue competition. 



7. The Lieutenant of Inishmore - Gaiety Theatre - Dublin, IR
Written by Martin McDonagh, Directed by Andrew Flynn


Having never seen this McDonagh play before, I figured what a better way than to see it in Dublin in a local production with an actual Irish cast, who probably would hit the odd tone of this dark comedy, and it did not disappoint. I looked up this terrific cast for this post, only to discover the handsome lead as Mad Padraic was none other than Paul Mescal, whose Normal People have made gained him worldwide fame since this production in February.  
 


8. This Is How We Got Here - Native Earth at Aki Studio - Toronto, ON
Written and Directed by Keith Barker


While this play was apparently not performed originally with an Indigenous cast, this revival has Indigenous writer Barker direct his own play with an Indigenous cast, and it gives it a whole new life and urgency, and gives the struggles of the four people a different slant and deeper understanding. 



9. Cyrano de Bergerac - The Jamie Lloyd Company at the Playhouse Theatre - West End - London, UK
Written by Edmond Rostand, in a new version by Martin Crimp, Directed by Jamie Lloyd


Well, if we can imagine James McAvoy as "ugly" in this reimagined, rapping, modernized Cyrano, it turns the poetry of the spoken word as the swords at play in this dark, sexy, and stylized minimal de Bergerac. 



10. Pearle Harbour's Agit Pop! - Next Stage Festival at Factory Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON -
By Pearle Harbour, Directed by Rebecca Ballarin


A cabaret musical act that has Pearle Harbour interpreting some classics in haunting new ways, but with a thread that ties this "cabaret" far more into musical territory and creating a haunting rumination on death and life in this apocalyptic world, with some biting zingers about the frightening things in our world, all as a method to calm us with her charms and soothing personality. 



Honourable Mention:

You and I  - Young People's Theatre in the Studio - Toronto, ON 
Created by Maya Ardal, Directed by Allen MacInnis

I didn't officially give this a grade, since this play for "explorers" (toddlers) wasn't meant for me, but it was a soothing and playful introduction to live performance for REALLY young audiences and their wide eyed minds. 



Breakthrough Performances (in alphabetical order):

The cast of The Hot Wing King: Nicco Annan, Sheldon Best, Cecil Blutcher, Korey Jackson, Toussaint Jeanlouis, Eric B. Robinson Jr. 

Kaleb Alexander in Alphonse
Donna Banya in Fairview
Pearle Harbour in Pearle Harbour's Agit-Pop!
Janelle McDermoth in We're Gonna Die
Daniel Monks in Teenage Dick
Joe Ngo in Cambodian Rock Band



Great Performances (in alphabetical order):

The cast of The Lieutenant of Inishmore: Desmond Eastwood, Cillian O Gairbhí, Aisling Kearns, Cillian Lenaghan, Paul Mescal, Alex Murphy, Pádraig O'Grady, Don Wycherley

The cast of Peter Pan: Jocelyn Adema, Gabriella Albino, Ann Paula Bautista, Andrew Cameron, Landon Doak, Matt Pilipiak, Victor Pokinko, Paolo Santalucia, Fiona Sauder, Emerjade Simms, Reanne Spitzer

The cast of This Is How We Got Here: Kristopher Bowman, Tamara Podemski, James Dallas Smith, Michaela Washburn

Marcus Choi in Hamilton
Frances Jue in Cambodian Rock Band
James McAvoy in Cyrano de Bergerac
Courtney Reed in Cambodian Rock Band

____________________________________________________

Here is every Stage Show I saw in 2020 in alphabetical order. All reviews are based on a 5 stars system (Workshop, Labs, Readings, Concerts and Cabarets are not graded):


5-Skies (Musical) x2 - Princess Theatre on Princess Sky - ***

Alphonse (Play Revival) - Thea Turtle at Memorial Park - Toronto, ON - ***

bug (Play) - manidoons collective with Native Earth Performing Arts and Theatre Passe Muraille in the Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ***

Cambodian Rock Band (Musical) - Signature Theatre in the Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY - ****

Concert in the Park(ing Lot): British Legends (Concert) - Richmond Green - Richmond Hill, ON

Cyrano de Bergerac (Play Revival) - The Jamie Lloyd Company at the Playhouse Theatre - West End - London, UK - ****

Dana H. (Play) - Vineyard Theatre - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY - **1/2

Emojiland (Musical) - The Duke on 42nd - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY - ***

Fairview (Play) - Young Vic Theatre - Main House - London, UK - ****1/2

Hamilton (Musical) - National Tour at Ed Mirvish Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****

The Hot Wing King (Play) - Signature Theatre in the Griffin Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY - **** 

Jim Henson's Inspired Silliness (Play) - Vista Lounge on Princess Sky - ***1/2

Kitne Saare Laloo Yahan Pey Hain (Play) - Next Stage Festival at Factory Theatre Studio - Toronto, ON - **

Lady Sunrise (Play) - Factory Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Play Revival) - Gaiety Theatre - Dublin, IR - ****

Michael Misko (Magician) x3 - Princess Theatre on Princess Sky

Miguel Washington (Comedian) x2 - Princess Theatre on Princess Sky 

The Minutes (Play) - Cort Theatre - Broadway - New York City, NY - ***1/2

My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (Concert Musical Revival) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON

Pearle Harbour's Agit Pop! (Cabaret Musical) - Next Stage Festival at Factory Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ****

Peter Pan (Play) - Bad Hats Theatre at Soulpepper Theatre Company in the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2

Rachmaninoff and Scheherazade (Symphony) - Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall - Toronto, ON

Rock Opera (Concert) x2 - Princess Theatre on Princess Sky

Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Play) - Tarragon Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ****

Stars of Mars (Musical Workshop) - Sheridan Theatre at Sheridan College - Oakville, ON

Teenage Dick (Play) - Donmar Warehouse - West End - London, UK - ****1/2

This Is How We Got Here (Play Revival) - Native Earth Performing Arts at Aki Studio - Toronto, ON - ****

This Was the World (Play) - Tarragon Theatre Mainspace - Toronto, ON - ***

Tumacho (Musical) - Clubbed Thumb at the Connelly Theater - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY - **1/2

We're Gonna Die (Play) - 2nd Stage in the Tony Kiser Theater - Off-Broadway - New York City, NY - ****

Women at Play(s) (Short Plays) - Red Sandcastle Theatre - Toronto, ON
an understanding of brown (Play)
Many Happier Returns (Play)
Blue Marty (Play)
Queenie's Castle (Play)
Flurescent Lights (Play)
Splitting Eternity (Play)


You and I (Play for Young "Explorers") - Young People's Theatre in the Studio - Toronto, ON 


__________________________________________________________________
Previous Best-of Lists:

Best of 2019 List:
Best of Stage 2019

Best of 2018 List:
Best of Stage 2018

Best of 2017 List:
Best of Stage 2017

Best of 2016 List:
Best of Stage 2016

Best of 2015 List:
Best of Stage 2015

Best of 2014 List:
Best of Stage 2014

Best of 2013 List:
Best of Stage 2013

Best of 2012 Lists:
Best of Music 2012
Best of Stage 2012

Best of 2011 Lists:
Best of Music 2011
Best of Television 2011
Best of Stage 2011


Best of 2010 Lists:
Best of Music 2010
Best of Television 2010
Best of Stage 2010
Best of Movies 2010


Best of 2009 Lists:
Best of Music 2009
Best of Television 2009
Best of Stage 2009
Best of Movies 2009


Decadeworthy - The Best of 2000-2009 Lists:
SYTYCDworthy (w/ Videos) - List Format
Theatre of the Decade
Best Films of the Decade
Favorite Films of the Decade
Television of the Decade
Television of the Decade - 1 Season Wonders


Best of 2008 Lists:
Best of Music 2008
Best of Television 2008
Best of Stage 2008
Best of Movies 2008
Best of Television Fall '07 - Winter '08 List


Best of 2007 Lists:
Best of Music 2007
Best of Television 2007
Best of Movies 2007
Best of Stage 2007
Best of 2007 (The Final Wrap Up)
Best of Television Fall '06 - Winter '07 List


Best of 2006 Lists:
Best of Music 2006
Best of Television 2006
Best of Movies 2006
Best of 2006
Best of Television Fall '05 - Winter '06 List


Best of 2005 Lists:
Best of Television 2005
Best of Movies 2005


Photos of Cambodian Rock Band and We're Gonna Die by Joan Marcus
Photos of Cyrano de Begerac and Fairview and Teenage Dick by Marc Brenner
Photo of The Hot Wing King by Monique Belani
Photo of Pearle Harbour's Agit-Pop! by Michael Cooper
Photo of Peter Pan by Nicholas Porteous 
Photo of This Is How We Got Here by Christie Wong
Photo of The Lieutenant of Inishmore from the Gaeity Theatre website

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com






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Posted by Vance at Tuesday, December 29, 2020 0 Commentworthy

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