Top Ten Productions of 2018!!

10. FUN HOME (SpeakEasy Stage Company) Director Paul Daigneault gives Fun Home the intimate treatment, and the results are as devastating as they are rewarding! Whether it is the symbolism of the books on the shelves or the metaphor of the rugs on the floor, every aspect of this outstanding production is top notch. The cast is stellar and the musicians are spot on. The topic is relevant, and the shifts are changing. The message is clear -- if something needs to be said, SAY IT! Don't wait for the light.

9. ALLEGIANCE (SpeakEasy Stage Company) Director Paul Daigneault is famous for finding the moments within the moments, and only he could take a difficult and unspoken moment in history and both deliver the story, and make it entertaining as well. The cast is faithful to the source material, the message is "never again," we hope.

8. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Arts After Hours) The fun part of visiting this acclaimed theatre group is the creativity that they offer their productions. Nick Raponi's turn as The Plant is truly spectacular. Director Samantha Gambaccini keeps the untraditional approach fresh and alive throughout. The rest of the cast is polished and professional, and we are open for business!

7. JEKYLL AND HYDE THE MUSICAL (North Shore Music Theatre) This production has raised the the bar yet again at one of our favorite theaters. Constantine Maroulis is nothing shy of astounding in the title role. From costumes to musical direction; from ensemble to the lighting, audiences are wowed by the high-level visual effects and performances. Great production all around!

6. NUTS (The Burlington Park Playhouse) Anchored by a stellar performance by KerryLynne Romoe, this magnificent production discusses everything we wish we could -- the judicial system, family relations (or lack thereof), a certain profession, and mental illness. All handled with sensitivity and realism, director Robert Hallisey takes us to the dark corners of the courtroom.

5. MOULIN ROUGE THE MUSICAL (Pre-Broadway run @ the
Emerson Colonial Theatre) The movie is brought to beautiful life and is everything we want it to be - big, bold, brave, and bombastic! Complete with the coolest costumes and choreography, it stars Tony Winner Karen Olivo, Tony Nominee Danny Burstein, and Broadway star Aaron Tveit, and your faith in Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love is restored!

4. MAMMA MIA! (North Shore Music Theatre) Director/Choreographer Kevin P. Hill brings this vibrant musical to exuberant life! The beaches of Greece have never been so much fun. The cast is lively and sexy with dancing of this caliber. rarely seen. The music of ABBA reminds us that, yes, you CAN have the time of your life!

3. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONg (Broadway Across Boston) It takes an enormous amount of talent to sustain this level of physical humor and word play for over two hours, and this cast and crew deliver! Rather than relying on become a one-joke wonder, the murder mystery is still played out and the actors as actors triumphantly prove that the show must go on in spite of the goings-on. The well-deserved Tony-award winning set is also worth the price of admission. We laugh and smile for over two hours, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

2. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (Providence Performing Arts Center) The classic movie receives the royal treatment of being revisited and reimagined, complete with breathtaking Tony-award winning Choreography from Christopher Wheeldon. The projections are utilized properly and with such creativity. We have the gorgeous score provided by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin set against the backdrop of Paris 1945. The ensemble's joy of living transfers into the audience. It really does not get more wonderful or marvelous than this.

1. HAMILTON (Broadway Across Boston) The talent of Lin-Manuel Miranda is one part inspiring and one part ridiculous. He has been able to simultaneously revisit and create history. It takes some talent to approach an epic tome about an historical figure and tell his story with such a contemporary and (yes) sexy approach! The choreography, singing, timing, and storytelling are all impeccable and on a brand new level. This show is a necessary reminder for us to look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now! Wherever you are, you are in the greatest city in the world!