Oh Boy A!

Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!


via /Film
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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Hitting It Right On The Spot - Assassins - Musical Review

Assassins - Birdland Theatre & Talk is Free Theatre at The Theatre Centre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Libretto by John Weidman, Directed by Adam Brazier
Runs until Jan. 23rd 2011

Sometimes, the problem with theatre in Toronto, is that when the local community comes together with a show, it tends to get overpraised with self-congratulatory efforts. And then it runs for only a short run so that no one outside the community can actually see it. (I'm particularly thinking of another current musical production that I just reviewed, though that one was actually mostly poorly reviewed)

Well, Birdland Theatre and Talk Is Free Theatre have remounted their hit revival of Sondheim's darkly brilliant musical Assassins (which I completely missed the first time around being out of the country during its run) with a slightly rejigged cast and apparently some minor directorial changes and it's nice proof that a show can TOTALLY DEFY the usual problems that plague some small independent theatre projects in Toronto, and instead, produce a truly outstanding, slick, professional, and totally mesmerizing piece of theatre, AND run it again so that MORE people can actually see it (what's with that!?!)! So people of Toronto, GO OUT and actually GO SEE IT! This is for your own good. A stunning production of a rich Sondheim musical with one of the best collection of performances I've seen, from the local cast that would match the best of the world (or at least Broadway).

Assassins is superbly and slickly directed here by Adam Brazier (usually on stage himself) and with his design team of Beth Kates (Set and Props), Erika Connor (Costimes) and Gareth Crew (Lighting), they've brought us into the midst of a carnival atmosphere where the major US Assassins have come together to present their vignettes of why they did it. There's a beautifully smoky mood set out right from the entrance of The Theatre Centre's dark converted space and the line is clearly drawn as soon as the cast steps out and a boy (Ezra Tennen) literally draws a line between them and us audience.

Having opened on the same weekend as the tragic shootings in Tucson, Arizona and the attempted assassination of Gabrielle Giffords, it seemed like it might be a little awkward, if even exploitative, to take in a show called Assassins. But Weidman and Sondheim's show is such a rich and deeply textured look at the Assassins psyche, no matter how crazy or strangely reasoned, that watching the show during the weekend was actually strangely helpful in understanding everything that was happening in America.

Of course, it helps that this production sizzles and hits the right balance between its often satyrical humour and the grave subject matter. Brazier and the incredible cast, who at moments double as the Orchestra (John Doyle-style) to further pump up the smaller dedicated Orchestra in the back, makes Assassins sounds glorious, and almost unfair to be kept in such a small performance space.

The entire cast is simply killer, with each member able to "steal the show". Even the two ensemble member Jonathan Tan and Alicia Toner are solid. Martin Julien is wonderfully creepy as the Proprietor.

Graham Abbey (CBC's The Border) is a sweaty mess in his Santa costume as Samuel Byck, who ranted and raved into a tape sent to Leonard Bernstein before trying to assassinate Nixon. Abbey's performance is shattering and sickly hysterical and winning. I'm amazed with his true American-boy-next-door looks and his powerful singing voice, that he isn't a bigger musical star (or star for that matter)? If Abbey were on Broadway, he'd be getting all the leading roles.

Alex Fiddes is haunting as Leon Czolgosz, and does a wonderfully muted but emotionally deep portrayal of a man abused by the working system who finds solace in Emma Goldman (an equally startling turn by the beautifully voiced Whitney Ross-Barris). Fiddes is thoughtful while brooding without feeling one note, all while his singing is beautifully sweet sounding in its clarity.

Steve Ross (centre) is hilariously sneaky, creepy, and weasely as Charles Guiteau, who so desperately attempts to assert his coolness and power on the others.

Paul McQuillan initially leads the way as the father of American assassinators John Wilkes Booth, and manages to hold a strange leading power over the group even after his time.

A shy and sulky Christopher Stanton as John Hinckley devotes his love to movie star Jody (Foster) and sings a beautiful ode to his delusions before attempting to kill Ronald Reagan.

Janet Porter is fantastically deranged as Lynette "Squaky" Fromme, Charles Manson's girlfriend, who joins forces with a sputtering Sara Jane Moore, deliciously played by Lisa Horner (Love, Loss, and What I Wore, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding). Horner, who was so winning in Wonderful Town and MMLJWW, uses her likability but suburban mom franticness and squeezes them until her Moore starts looking saner than Manson's girlfriend.

Kevin Dennis (A Year With Frog and Toad) looks almost gangly with his googly eyes and shaved head here as Giuseppe Zangara, a disillusioned immigrant who tries to murder FDR.

Finally, there's Geoffrey Tyler as the Balladeer. Tyler has a beautifully soft and innocent sounding voice, and while it is a bit quieter than his fellow belters (and there were a few missed lines due to Tyler's beautiful low but non reverberating voice), Brazier nicely enhances it with a microphone most of the time. The softer voice goes nicely with Tyler's aw-shucks innocence of his balladeer, which also gives the powerful ending all the more reverberation.

There's also a nice touch in using pieces of metal hardware and pipes constructed to look like guns. Which again, thematically, only enhances the final sequence of Brazier's Assassins. This remount is such the collective of great casting, tremendous performances, in a tightly directly, intelligent and slick vision of a modern musical classic.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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It Takes A Village - Parade - Musical Review

Parade - Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs - Toronto, ON - **1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, Book by Alfred Uhry, Directed by Joel Greenberg

Two esteemed Toronto Theatre companies have joined forces to present Jason Robert Brown's difficult and complex musical about a difficult and complex and dark subject matter. With some of the best in Toronto's theatre community involved in this highly anticipated Canadian premiere (that first appeared on Broadway with Canadian lead Brent Carver), it is a particularly frustrating experience watching this very sophisticated and emotionally wrenching show presented in such a bland manner. Whether it be miscasting, the simple community-theatre feel, the lack of a proper deserving budget, or most particularly, a lack of a directional sense, Parade doesn't quite make the grand entrance into Toronto it deserves.

Michael Therriault (Tin Pan Alley Rag, Peter Pan, Lord of the Rings Musical) is nicely cast as Leo Frank, the transported Brooklyn Jew who lives in Atlanta where his Southern-Jewish wife Lucille (Tracy Michailidis, The Light in the Piazza). When a 13 year old girl named Mary Phagan (Jessica Greenberg, who looked like she could play Mary's mother) is found dead, an ambitious lawyer Hugh Dorsey (Mark McGrinder, Stuff Happens), an angry suitor Frankie Epps (Jeff Irving, The Sound of Music) and an opportunistic reporter Britt Craig (Jay Turvey, Shaw Festival) gather the anger of the locals and turn them into a vengeful mob.

It's a very dark piece based on a famous case in American history, but the brilliancy in Parade is that it is laid out to be presented with subtlety on the case (with varying degrees of doubt on Leo's actual innocence in the first act), while letting theatrics make the show strangely entertaining, using the fact that it is a musical on such a dark subject be the exact satyrical commentary to add zest and additional human emotion into a history tale. Director Joel Greenberg (who did a great job with Stuff Happens) eliminates any of this, and treats Parade as a simplistic tale with very little nuance, which thus gives very little emotional depth to the proceedings. It all feels like one very long history lesson, and if Rob Ashford's Donmar Warehouse production is any indication, it doesn't need to be, and instead can become an entertaining theatrical experience with both high hilarity and crushing sadness (and some great dancing to boot).

There are some grave miscastings in the cast, with a few singing voices that are incredibly grating, and other performances incredibly weak or annoying, and while one can admire a tight theatre community that casts their well qualified friends and family, sometimes what is defined in a role is still a stretch for an actor, and when there are numerous cast members in one show that fail in that manner, it can collectively derail the show. Joel Greenberg has unfortunately let that happen here.

On the bright side, the young Jeff Irving strikes up a perfect balance between fresh young Southern boy and rage filled vengeance, and his voice fills the room well.

Darren A. Herbert (Toxic Avenger: The Musical, Glengarry Glen Ross) sounds tremendous and plays the "poor innocent Black Man" to a sly creepiness that adds layers the rest of the show lacks. His duet partner Alana Hibbert sounds just as divine as the accusatory housekeeper Minnie, and her presence has such a glow.

Newcomer Jordy Rolfe has the beautiful look and beautiful voice that would have automatically given Mary Phagan an innocence and empathy that deepens the story, but alas, is here as Iola Stover (who, granted, probably has more songs than the Mary Phagan role). Her cohorts Sarite Harris and Paige Robson-Cramer sound lovely together.

Mark Uhre, George Masswohl and Gabrielle Jones do what they can with their smaller moments. On the other hand, Jay Turvey has been given two parts (as Governor Staton and reporter Britt Craig) yet played it as one. Turvey though at least redeems himself in certain scenes and songs (though his "Big News" totally misses the point, but I believe that was a directing decision), where Mark McGrinder (usually a reliable actor) fails to create any true dramatic tension as a major nemesis in Hugh Dorsey.

Alas, Parade needs to be given big fanfare to let its true colours show, but here, Joel Greenberg has give it such a muted presence, even the set looked bored. With over-lighting in many of the scenes on a pasty bland set that evoked nothing of the south, Greenberg has failed to throw a proper parade for Parade.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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Best of Stage 2010

So this year's tally is 90* stage shows (For me, stage includes plays, musicals, fringe shows, cabaret, ballet, opera). 82 different shows, 74 of which were brand new productions I had not seen yet in previous years. This year, I saw the 90 shows in 6 cities (Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Washington D.C., Sydney).

*UPDATE: I forgot 1 cabaret that I saw (and also helped changed my mind about cabarets, which I usually don't appeal to me), and have also updated my Best Performance List.

And again, as my own rule, only new shows I've seen are eligible to be on the list (shows that are new to me, even if they opened in previous years, unless there are significant changes). Thus this year, shows like Ragtime and Next Fall are ineligible since they landed on my list in 2009 already.

Actually, the 90 count also doesn't count the numerous times I saw the show I was involved in this year (I counted it as once), which is also why I decided to disqualify it from the contenders list (but the original review will note which show I had ties to).

Here's my compilation of my the Best of 2010's Stage offerings (with the full list of all the productions I went to, after the Top 20). I've got to say, my top 5 picks were all so equally strong but so different from each other that I had a hard time choosing the order and an argument could be made for any of the top 5 to be in 1st place.

Here's the Best of Stage 2010:

1. A View From The Bridge (Play Revival) - Cort Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written by Arthur Miller, Directed by Gregory Mosher

A powerful classic of Greek tragedy proportions with some epic performances from the headlining Liev Shreiber and Scarlett Johansson, as well as beautiful work from Jessica Hecht and Morgan Spector. A beautifully understated production directed with simplicity and nuance, Gregory Mosher turns an intimate family drama into a powerfully revealing emotional roller in all of Miller's epic vision.


2. Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge (Play) - Electric Theatre Company at Canadian Stage's Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Toronto, ON - (Review)
Written by Kevin Kerr, Directed by Kim Collier, Choreographed by Crystal Pite
A brilliant mix of theatricality, dance, movement, and projection design in an unpretentious and often funny play about a man haunted by his personal past as he tries to move forward with his scientific studies.


3. Candide (Musical Revival) - Sidney Harman Hall (Shakespeare Theatre Company) - Washington, D.C. - (Review)
By Leonard Bernstein, Directed and newly adapted from Voltaire by Mary ZImmerman
Mary Zimmerman smoothes over the difficult classic Candide and focuses the epic sprawling tale back to Candide's story of finding the meaning of life (if there is any) and how the world truly exists. With a stunningly simple yet effective set, Zimmerman takes us all over the world with Candide, and truly challenges him and us, the audience.


4. In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play (Play) - Woolly Mammoth Theatre - Washington D.C.
Written by Sarah Ruhl, Directed by Aaron Posner
What first seems like a quaint and charming little comedy of old taboos, turns into a transcendent, and dare I say, electric, play about intimacy, love, and life. Daniel Conway's beautiful and sleek set works both as historic nostalgia while also hinting at a modernity that, with sly direction from Aaron Posner, begins to connect Sarah Ruhl's history play to our more modern and sexually awakened senses.


5. The Pride (Play) - Lucille Lortel Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written by Alexi Kaye Campbell, Directed by Joe Mantello
Oliver, Philip, and Sylvia live in 1958 London. Oliver, Philip, and Sylvia live in present day London. Two different periods of time, two different love triangles, The Pride begins to connect the changes in gay relationships in this intercut time play, smoothly directed by Joe Mantello and honestly written by Alexi Kaye Campbell, who manages to dissect the gay-coming-out story, along with several other gay cliches, and create a drama with a new sense of what pride means to people.


6. The Glass Menagerie (Play Revival) - Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - and - Mark Taper Forum - Los Angeles, CA - (Review)
Written by Tennessee Williams, Directed by Gordon Edelstein
Gordon Edelstein takes a big chance with a major gimmick here, and if ones not patient, the pay off may be missed, but this delightfully sombre yet funny take on Tennessee Williams' classic tale manages to bring forth a lot of the underlying fission into clearer focus. Judith Ivey humanizes Amanda Wingfield with a deft sense of masked humour, while Patch Darragh crystalizes the subtle gay hints in Tom Wingfield's life "at the movies", and his affection for the Gentleman Caller (both Michael Mosley and Ben McKenzie are excellent in the NYC and LA production respectively) seems even higher than his sister Laura's, fully inhabited by Keira Keeley. A shattering production of an American classic.


7. Venice (Musical) - Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City, Los Angeles - (Review)
Music by Matt Sax, Lyrics by Matt Sax and Eric Rosen, Book and Directed by Eric Rosen, Choreography by John Carrafa and Tanisha Scott
A truly explosive new musical that introduces hip-hop and rap music fittingly into the dramatic and heavy world of Venice, with a story based on Othello. While portions of the music and rap songs feel slightly "musical theaterized", much of it, and in particularly poignant and important plot points, sounds truly like the heavy rap and hip-hop heard on the street, and the intensity is perfect for the overwrought and dark tale of two-half brothers and a struggle for power over a city.


8. The Scottsboro Boys (Musical) - Lyceum Theatre - Broadway - New York, NY - (Review)
Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Book by David Thompson, Directed and Choreographed by Susan Stroman
Kander & Ebb manages to write spirited and delightfully tuneful melodies and twists them with a darkness of the horrible true trials of the Scottsboro Boys. Susan Stroman directs with a tight simplicity with an amazingly game cast, in this smart and emotionally compelling new musical.


9. Red (Play) - Golden Theater - Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written by John Logan, Directed by Michael Grandage
Art that truly paints some bold colours and ideas onto the simplicity of a canvas. Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne wonderfully bring vignettes of Mark Rothko and his assistant as art is made, in what becomes an interesting (if not completely new) discussions about what it is to become artists and what it takes in creating art.


10. The Metal Children (Play) - Vineyard Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written and Directed by Adam Rapp
A truly odd and disturbing story that takes you on a whirlwind adventure as we follow a big city writer head into small town America to defend his banned book. Billy Crudup is mesmerizing, and surrounded with a terrific ensemble cast that lifts this mysterious play into chilling territory.


11. The Boys in the Band (Play Revival) - Transport Group Theatre Company at 37 W. 26th Street Penthouse - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written by Mart Crowley, Directed by Jack Cummings III
Presenting a classic gay play (that has been criticized for being incredibly dated and incredibly mean-spirited) in-situ, in an apartment with real windows looking out into the evening New York skies, may be insanely daring or naively stupid, but I thought it strangely worked. The intense and intimate play was even more enhanced with the audience essentially sitting amongst the action, and a some terrific performances (that can be dissect up close), led by Jonathan Hammond, and including Graham Rowat and Nick Westrate brings the historic pain in a throwback to a (hopefully) different time.


12. American Idiot (Musical) - St. James Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Music by Green Day, Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, Book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, Directed by Michael Mayer, Choreographed by Steven Hoggett
Often criticized for the lack of story, American Idiot is a bold, if simplified to the point of caricatures and concepts, musical of youthful angst and anger emanated from suburban ennui and middleclass broken dreams. This is what white people whine about, and they are angry, and Michael Mayer and Steven Hoggett now brings it to an exciting theatrical life. Humanizing performances by Jon Galagher Jr., Rebecca Naomi Jones and particularly Stark Sands, turns this thrilling rock concert into a flawed but ultimately affecting new musical.


13. Richard II (Play Revival) - Sonnet Repertory Theatre and Matchbook Productions at The Tank at 45th Street Theatre - Off-Broadway - New York, NY - (Review)
Written by William Shakespeare, Directed by Steven Cole Hughes
Who knew putting Shakespeare on trapeze could help... elevate... the source material, making a difficult (and if somewhat boring story, one of Shakespeare's less interesting historical plays) tale into a sometimes awe inspiring and often clever theatrical experience? With a multi talented cast that could spew Shakespeare (in understandable cadences) while hanging from ropes, director Steven Cole Hughes manages to re-invent Shakespeare in a new twist.


14. Fences (Play Revival) - Cort Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written by August Wilson, Directed by Kenny Leon
Having seen the same play, by the same director, but in a completely different production (different set, different lighting, different cast, different approach) just months apart, I was reluctant to think big movie stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis could bring anything new to the proceedings (other than their box office pull), but Davis proved why she's such a stalwart, while Washington surprises with a terrific stage presence that manages to use his natural charms and inserts it into August Wilson's devastating tale, that managed to still surprise and haunt in Kenny Leon's directing redux.


15. A Little Night Music (Musical Review) - Walter Kerr Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler, Directed by Trevor Nunn, Choreographed by Lynne Page
Some later criticized Catherine Zeta Jones for her simple take on this classic musical, but having never seen, nor hear Sondheim's beautifully quiet show, I found CZJ and Angela Lansbury terrifically delightful and winning, and loved the simplicity of the piece.


16. As You Like It (Play Revival) - Stratford Shakespeare Festival - Festival Theatre - Stratford, ON - (Review)
Written by William Shakespeare, Directed by Des McAnuff
A sprawling Shakespearean tale that shifts from dark drama to light comedy, with musical interludes included. Des McAnuff balances the odd tones of the play with some bold thematic choices (including some beautiful sets) and wrangles the large cast of Stratford's best, including Brent Carver as Jacques, Paul Nolan as Orlando, Ben Carlson as Touchstone, and Andrea Runge as Rosalind into a delightful, if somewhat crazy (in a good way), evening in the forest of Arden.


17. Leap of Faith (Musical) - Ahmanson Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Glenn Slater, Book by Janus Cercone with Glenn Slater, Direction and Choreography by Rob Ashford
A powerhouse 2nd act, and some powerhouse performances led by Raúl Esparza, turns what starts off as a charming, if unoriginal, new musical (based on the Steve Martin film) into a truly heavenly show. A catchy array of new songs by Alan Menken and slick direction and beautiful choreography from Rob Ashford shows the hidden potential gem of a musical that is attempting to make the jump to Broadway, and with some good editing, this very good musical has the potential to be a great one.


18. Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Musical) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - (Review)
Book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, Directed by Simon Phillips
Based on the cult Academy-Award winning movie, Priscilla the musical is fun fun fun and gay gay gay, and it proudly wears its pink feather boa proudly on its chiseled shoulders. Despite being a jukebox musical of recycled old songs (slightly excused since much of the music is taken from the film, and also since it's about drag queens performing other people's songs, seems to make sense in context), Priscilla is exciting and fresh and entirely winning and even a little emotionally affecting, beneath all those wigs and makeup. Will Swenson nicely takes a nuanced approach, while Tony Sheldon and Nick Adams prepare to take Broadway by storm in superb high heels.


19. Time Stands Still (Play) - Friedman Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Written by Donald Margulies, Directed by Daniel Sullivan
A small little play with interesting commentaries, brought to an intimate level with Laura Linney, Brian d'Arcy James, Eric Begosian and Alicia Silverstone. An intelligent adult drama that eschews big spectacle and big twists for small human truths.


20. Stuffed and Unstrung (Play) - Henson Alternative at Union Square Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - (Review)
Created by Brian Henson and Patrick Bristow, Directed by Patrick Bristow
Patrick Bristow and the muppeteering crew at Hensen Alternative manages to actually make improve comedy (with muppets) very very funny. Hysterically funny in fact, and while not every skit lands, a good percentage does (and when it does, it's stomach wrenchingly funny), with some classic Henson sketches mixed in between. Did I mention it's all done with muppets live on stage AND with a camera?



Breakthrough Performances (in alphabetical order):
Nick Adams in Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Justin Bartha in Lend Me A Tenor
Justin Bott in The Man in the Mirror
Dmitry Bulkin in Banana Shpeel
Eddie Clendening in Million Dollar Quartet
Lauren Collins in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Patch Darragh in The Glass Menagerie
Katie deBuys in In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play
Kevin Dennis in A Year with Frog and Toad
Mac Fyfe in The Great War
Kimberley Gilbert in In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play
Mark Huisman in Kissing Swinburne
Scarlett Johansson in A View From The Bridge
Keira Keeley in The Glass Menagerie
Levi Kreis in Million Dollar Quartet
Geoff Packard in Candide
Eddie Redmayne in Red
Matt Sax in Venice
Tony Sheldon in Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Morgan Spector in A View From the Bridge
Benjamin Walker in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Christian Dante White in The Scottsboro Boys


Great Performances (in alphabetical order):
Laura Benanti in Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Rodrick Covington in Venice
Wendy Crewson in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Billy Crudup in The Metal Children
Hugh Dancy in The Pride
Viola Davis in Fences
Colman Domingo in The Scottsboro Boys
Raúl Esparza in Leap of Faith
Edie Falco in This Wide Night
Katie Finneran in Promises Promises
Judith Ivey in The Glass Menagerie
Yves Jacques in The Andersen Project
Ryan Kelly in Craplicker
Pasha Kovalev in Burn the Floor
Athena Lamarre in Communion
Linda Kash in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Nathan Lane in The Addams Family
Judith Light in Lombardi
Laura Linney in Time Stands Still
Kevin Mambo in Fela!
Andrea Martin in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Sharron Matthews in Sharron Matthews: Garland Cabaret Series *UPDATE
Eric McCormack in Glengarry Glen Ross
Alfred Molina in Red
Moya O'Connell in An Ideal Husband
Lily Rabe in The Merchant of Venice
Andrea Runge in As You Like It
Stark Sands in American Idiot
Liev Schrieber in A View From The Bridge
Bobby Steggert in Yank
Will Swenson in Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Michael Therriault in Peter Pan
Denzel Washington in Fences
Ben Whishaw in The Pride


Here is every Stage Show I saw in 2010 in alphabetical order. All reviews are based on a 5 stars system (Cabarets and workshops not given grades):


A Behanding in Spokane (Play) - Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review **

The Addams Family (Musical) - Lunt-Fontanne Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review **1/2

A Funny Thing on the Way To the Forum (Musical Revival) - Canon Theatre - Toronto, ON - **1/2 (Original 2009 Stratford Review ***1/2)

A Girl's Guide To Washington Politics (Play) - Woolly Mammoth Theatre - Washington D.C. - ***

A Little Night Music (Musical Review) - Walter Kerr Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****

American Idiot (Musical) (x2) - St. James Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

The Andersen Project (Play Revival) - Canadian Stage at Bluma Apel Theatre in St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

An Ideal Husband (Play Revival) - Shaw Festival's Festival Theatre - Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON - ***1/2

Art (Play Revival) - Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Toronto, ON - Review **

As You Like It (Play Revival) - Stratford Shakespeare Festival - Festival Theatre - Stratford, ON - Review ****

A View From The Bridge (Play Revival) - Cort Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

A Year with Frog and Toad (Musical Revival) - Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People - Toronto, ON - Review ****

Cirque du Soleil's Banana Shpeel (Circus) - Beacon Theater - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review **1/2

Beauty and the Beast (Panto) - Ross Petty at Elgin Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

The Bilbao Effect (Play) - The Center for Architecture - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***

Birnam Wood (Play) - Theatre Passe Muraille - Toronto, ON - *

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Musical) - Newman Theater at The Public - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review **1/2

The Boys in the Band (Play Revival) - Transport Group Theatre Company at 37 W. 26th Street Penthouse - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

Brief Encounter (Play) - Kneehigh Theatre at St. Ann's Warehouse - Brooklyn, NY - ***1/2

Burn the Floor (Dance) - Canon Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***

Candide (Musical Revival) - Sidney Harman Hall (Shakespeare Theatre Company) - Washington, D.C. - Review ****1/2

Chess (Musical Revival) - The Max at Signature Theatre - Arlington, VA (Greater Washington D.C.) - ***

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

Craplicker (Play) - Fringe Festival at Tarragon Theatre - Toronto, ON - **1/2

Everyday Rapture (Musical) - American Airlines Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***1/2

Evita (Musical Revival) - Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Avon Theatre - Stratford, ON - ***

Fela! (Musical) - Eugene O'Neill Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***1/2

Fences (Play Revival) - Cort Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****

Fuerza Bruta (Theatre) - Daryl Roth Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Original 2007 Review ****1/2

The Glass Menagerie (Play Revival) - Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - and - Mark Taper Forum - Los Angeles, CA - Review: Off-Broadway ****1/2

Glengarry Glen Ross (Play Revival) - Arts Club Theatre Company at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage - Vancouver, BC - ****

The Great War (Play Revival) - VideoCabaret at The Cameron House - Toronto, ON - Review ****

In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play (Play) - Woolly Mammoth Theatre - Washington D.C. - ****1/2

Jitters (Play Revival) - Soulpepper at Bailie Theatre Stage in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - **

The Kid (Musical) - Acorn Theater at Theater Row - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***1/2

Kissing Swinburne (Play) - Fringe Festival at Bread & Circus - Toronto, ON - ****

Kiss Me Kate (Musical Revival) - Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Avon Theatre - Stratford, ON - **1/2

The Last Five Years (Musical Revival) - Studio Theatre at Toronto Centre for the Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ****

Leap of Faith (Musical) - Ahmanson Theatre - Los Angeles, CA - ****

Legally Blonde (Musical) - National Tour at Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - Review ***

Lend Me A Tenor (Play Revival) - Music Box Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Revival ***

Lombardi (Play) - Circle in the Square Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ***1/2

Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Play) - Westside Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - and - Panasonic Theatre - Toronto, ON - Review: Off-Broadway **** Review: Toronto ****1/2

The Man in the Mirror (Cabaret) - Bathurst Street Theatre - Toronto, ON

Mary Poppins (Musical) - New Amsterdam Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - **1/2

The Merchant of Venice (Play Revival) - Broadhurst Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - ****

The Metal Children (Play) - Vineyard Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

Middletown (Play) - Vineyard Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - **

Million Dollar Quartet (Musical) - Nederlander Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review **

Miss Saigon (Musical Revival) - Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - Review **1/2

The M.O.P. Bucket (Cabaret) - Stitch Bar & Lounge - New York, NY

Morro and Jasp Gone Wild (Play) - Fringe Festival at Tarragon Theatre - Toronto, ON - ***1/2

Next Fall (Play) - Helen Hayes Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - 2009 Review ****1/2

Oh What A Lovely War (Musical Revival) - Soulpepper at Baillie Theatre in The Young Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ***

Onegin (Ballet) - The National Ballet of Canada - Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ****1/2

Peter Pan (Play Revival) - Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Avon Theatre - Stratford, ON - ***

The Pride (Play) - Lucille Lortel Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Musical) (x4) - Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, ON - Review ****

Promises, Promises (Musical Review) - Broadway Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***1/2

Ragtime (Musical Revival) (x3) - Neil Simon Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - 2009 Review *****

Red (Play) - Golden Theater - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

Richard II (Play Revival) - Sonnet Repertory Theatre and Matchbook Productions at The Tank at 45th Street Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

Ride the Cyclone (Musical) - Atomic Vaudeville at Theatre Passe Muraille - Toronto, ON - ***

Rock of Ages (Musical) - Royal Alexandra Theatre - Toronto, ON - Review **1/2

Romeo & Juliet (Play Revival) - Dream in High Park - Toronto, ON - **1/2

The Scottsboro Boys (Musical) - Lyceum Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****1/2

Sharron Matthews: Garland Cabaret Series (Cabaret) - Young Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON

Sondheim on Sondheim (Musical) - Studio 54 - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***

Spring Awakening - Sydney Theatre Company - Sydney, Australia - Review ***

Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge (Play) - Electric Theatre Company at Canadian Stage's Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ****1/2

Stuffed and Unstrung (Play) - Henson Alternative at Union Square Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****

Swan Lake (Ballet) - The National Ballet of Canada - Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ****

This Wide Night (Play) - Naked Angels at Peter Jay Sharp Theater in Playwrights Horizons - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ***1/2

Time Stands Still (Play) - Friedman Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****

Too Hot To Handel: The Gospel Messiah (Choral) - Carnegie Hall - New York, NY

24 Preludes by Chopin & A Suite of Dances & The Four Seasons (Ballet) - The National Ballet of Canada - Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ****
24 Preludes by Chopin - ****1/2
A Suite of Dances - ***1/2
The Four Seasons - ****

Two Faced Bastard (Dance) - Chunky Move at Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre - Toronto, ON - Review ***1/2

Cirque Du Soleil's TOTEM (Circus) - Le Grand Chapiteau - Quays of the Old Port of Montreal - Montreal, QC - Review ***1/2

Venice (Musical) - Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City, Los Angeles - Review ****1/2

Walter Cronkite Is Dead (Play) - The Ark at Signature Theatre - Arlington, VA (Greater Washington D.C.) - Review ****

West Side Story Suite & Pur ti Miro & Opus 19/The Dreamer - The National Ballet of Canada - Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - Toronto, ON - Review ****
Pur ti Miro - ****
Opus 19/The Dreamer - ***1/2
West Side Story Suite - ****

Wicked (Musical) - Capitol Theatre - Sydney, Australia - Review ***1/2

Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Musical) - Belasco Theatre - Broadway, New York, NY - Review **1/2

Yank! A WWII Love Story (Musical) - York Theatre - Off-Broadway, New York, NY - Review ****


______________________________________

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

Previous Best-of Lists:
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
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Best of Television 2010

I fell behind on several critically acclaimed shows this year (some which apparently bounded back to their best seasons ever I've been told, but alas, won't be on this list due to my slack) but of all the shows I manage to keep watching in time, the ensemble comedies seemed to have bounded back with a vengeance.

Here are my picks for the Best of Television for 2010
(With the ranking from the three previous lists (Best of 2009, Best of 2008/ Best of TV - Fall 2007/ Winter 2008 Season) in parenthesis.):


1. Friday Night Lights (DirecTV/NBC) - (1, 1, 3)

New team, new kids, new problems, same Tammy, same Coach Taylor, same clear eyes, same full hearts, still can't lose.


2. Breaking Bad (AMC) - (Favorite But Not Caught Up)

We know drugs creates a lot of drama but who knew it could also be so funny? Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are intensely brilliant together as the drug-making odd-couple.


3. Community (NBC) - (Not Ranked)

Inanity at its best, with attention to details while going for the comedy gusto.


4. The Good Wife (CBS) - (Not Ranked)

A perfected balance of procedural law cases and personal drama with a strong ensemble AND guest cast.


5. Modern Family (ABC) - (3, New)

Delightfully heartwarming with some charming zingers.


6. Cougar Town (ABC) - (Not Ranked)

Nicely settled into older friends who like to drink, and drunk friends can be very very funny.


7. Parks & Recreation (NBC) - (Not Ranked)

Another tight comedy ensemble that only seems to get better as they've finally figured out their awkward workplace rhythm.


8. Better Off Ted (ABC) - (9, New)

Sadly, this terrific workplace comedy that skewered big corps and their minions never found an audience but hopefully will live on with DVD.


9. 30 Rock (NBC) - (8, 5, 4)

Still insane, still completely all over the place, but still getting in the laughs.


10. Bored to Death (HBO) - (Not Ranked)

A show that stars three folks I tend to think of as annoying, but totally lovable and hilarious here in this pseudo-detective noir comedy.

11. Nurse Jackie (Showtime) - (5, New)

12. Party Down (Starz) - (Not Ranked)

13. Ugly Betty (ABC) - (11, 7, 9)

14. Lost (ABC) - (2, 2, 1)

15. Glee (FOX) - (4, New)

16. The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - (10, 20, Not Ranked)

17. Bones (FOX) - (13, 15, 15)

18. Greek - (abcFamily) - (17, Not Ranked)

19. Desperate Housewives (ABC) - (15, 13, 18)

20. The United States of Tara (Showtime) - (6, New)


New Shows I Enjoy:
Sherlock (BBC)
The Walking Dead (AMC)
How to Make It In America (HBO)
Life Unexpected (The CW)
Raising Hope (FOX)

Most Overrated New Show:
Boardwalk Empire


Shows I Still Enjoy But I've Totally Fallen Behind On:
Mad Men
Fringe
Dexter
True Blood
Leverage
Damages
Burn Notice
Supernatural
Men of a Certain Age
Being Erica
Royal Pains
White Collar
Parenthood

Great Shows I'll Miss:
Lost
Ugly Betty
Better Off Ted
The New Adventures of Old Christine
10 Things I Hate About You
My Boys

Shows I Haven't Seen Yet
Terriers
Treme
Justified
Rubicon
Big Love

______________________________________

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

Previous Best-of Lists:
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
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...