I always like to put a little different spin on "the best of" list you offer up every year. This time I'd like to mention some people I've had a chance to work with and be a fan of over the last couple of years and how they had some crowning moments in 2011. Call it a list of people I hope we don't forget when we are all making our lists list.Thanks, Stephen!
Shayne Gue has been someone I've seen on stage since before I even thought about getting involved. I've always appreciated his work, but this summer Shayne was at his best in HOT's Wedding Singer. His timing and commitment were superb. Best I've ever seen him.
Dylan Clark has been a good friend of mine for a long time and a counterpart in shows on many occasions. This summer during MU's New Works, Dylan presented his original play Burgle. It was hilarious. We all know he is a great performer, but he has got quite a writing talent as well. I can't wait to see what he does in the future.
Jonathan Lamp is another guy I've admired on stage for a long time and also had a chance to work with. I can easily say that the most surprising and delightful performance of the year goes to John as Link in CLOG's Hairspray. We all knew he could sing, but he danced like nobody's business. He was perfect as the charming young star to be.
Patrick Taylor is somebody I just met this year. He was fantastic in Burgle as the idiot criminal and wonderful as the mute in the Fantasticks. However, I was super impressed with his work in the Last Night of Ballyhoo. He was simply charming. As the new guy in town, I'm excited to see what he does next.
Karen Pruitt in Barefoot in the Park was a riot. If you missed her, you missed a wonderful, wonderful thing. She's quite a lovely lady in person also.
Lastly, I'd like to mention two people I don't know at all but got to see twice this year and thought their work was great, both from Charleston. Laurie Pennington as the Chaperone in the Drowsy Chaperone and Velma in Hairspray. She is a true joy to watch. Brynna Hornswell as Penny in Hairspray and JoAnne Galloway in A Few Good Men. Total commitment, totally different roles, completely wonderful.
I could go on but I wanted to catch some of the people that others might miss. This of course is not a complete list because I could brag on a lot of others, and I do.
It was a very good year.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Stephen's Best of 2012
I invited readers to send in their highlights from 2012, and my pal Stephen Vance sent in this note:
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Yesterday I took all the "2011" pages out of my Franklin planner and added the first four months of 2012. Your blog about the Best Shows made me curious to see if I had any comments about the theatre I saw last year, and I'd like to share some of the scribblings I found in the margins of my calendar. Feel free to edit any or all for length or content, and keep in mind that I wasn't able to see everything I wanted.
Barefoot In The Park (ARTS)was a delight. Set was orange, and got a smattering of applause every performance. With Karen Pruitt nearly upstaging Clint MacElroy, the entire cast was a pleasure.
Nunset Boulevard (First United Methodist Dinner Theatre) Leann Haines has mad puppetry skills.
Dead Man Walking (MU) Nathan Mohebbi was impressive. The work that man did blew me away.
Video Games Live (Artist Series) was one of the most interesting things I saw, and completely out of my comfort zone. What an event.
Titanic (Fifth Ave) Orchestra, Orchestra, Orchestra. Mike Murdock (sings!) David Day. Ron Short.
Drowsy Chaperone (CLOG) I would pay to watch Laurie Pennington read the phone book.
Wedding Singer (HOT) Ryan Hardiman enjoyed himself, and made me. Shayne Gue did great. Kerri Easter and Kaitlin Despain surprised me.
Thoroughly Modern Millie (CLOG) Linda Reynolds--wish I could've seen her every performance.
ART's 10th Anniversary Gala (ARTS)Helga got a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ryan Hardiman and Randall Reid-Smith duet of "Lilly's Eyes" second only to Chris Bowling accompaning himself.
New Works (MU) Collis P! So much fun. Burgle Dylan Clark writes! (really well)New kid Patrick Taylor--one to watch.
Princess Ida (Portsmouth) Mark Near is a bad guy? Set was amazing.
Hairspray (CLOG) Laurie Pennington makes me smile. Jon Lamp has worked his butt off. I knew him when....
Fantasticks (ARTS) environment was a blast. Murdock CAN sing! Owen Reynolds is a pleasure. Dylan Clark and Eric Woods need to be stopped or no one will see me and Mark Near. Tawney Burdine can play anything you put in front of her. Kristin Cavianni belts into a hairbrush. Stephen Vance has a hit.
Noises Off (Fifth Ave) Best set they've had. Leann Haines cries. James Holley's physical work is good. I like Michael Naglee on stage, but I'm kinda crushing on Kate Morris.
Schoolhouse Rock (First Stage at ARTS) Who staged a million kids so well? Set was beautiful and used really well. Three IS a Magic Number.
Jekyll and Hyde (ARTS) Ryan Hardiman, Brittany Adkins, and Andrea Parkins amazing. Mike & Jenn Naglee are this period. I wanna play in the laboratory.
Family Cabaret (Highlawn Prebyterian) 90 second of Ed Sullivan takes six months of work. My favorite thing.
Pillowman (Company of Dreams) not at all my taste--really well done. Looking forward to seeing more from this company.
Last Night of Ballyhoo(MU) well done. Patrick Taylor and Jordan Bean--I loved them together. She was born with that style.
Holiday Memories (Cup) Chris Sizemore is good, but the surprise pleasure was almost all of the Donahoe's singing together. Love those people.
It's a Wonderful Life (Paramount)How long did they rehearse? Backdrops are stunning.
Things that I'm sorry I missed this year, (just from discussions with friends) include Marina Jurica's Farewell Concert, Albert's Hall, Bat Boy (Cup)--heard good things about Chris Sunderland's physical work, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
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