Top Ten Equity Productions of 2019

Naugatuck, CT - 2019 marks the eighth year that I have compiled end-of-the-year top ten lists of the productions that I have attended during the calendar year. Last year I published a total of 134 reviews. This year the total number was down to 102 published reviews, with 18 of them falling into the category of Equity productions. I certainly was not able to attend every Equity production, but as a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle I tried to get to as many as possible. Most of my CCC colleagues attended far more of the Equity shows; check the CCC Facebook page for links to their reviews.

While this is certainly a large number of shows from which to choose, my five lists remain one person's opinion of the best of the many area productions produced in 2019. There were many shows that I had to miss due to health issues, weather, personal obligations and most often because I was unable to book a performance when many shows were happening with identical run dates. So take the rankings for what they are worth.

Click on each play's title to read the entire review of the show to see more reasons why it made the list.

Top Ten Equity Productions of 2019

10. TIE

STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Music Theatre of Connecticut
I traveled to MTC [for the first time] with high expectations and I was not disappointed. Director Pamela Hill kept in mind the message of "Life is too short to be so serious" and definitely brought out the plethora of very funny lines that I have memorized.

THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Seven Angels
I got lost in the entertainment value of the drag performances as easily as the surprisingly heartwarming story... a fun, fast-paced and most entertaining piece performed by a very talented cast of hardworking Equity performers.

9. NEWSIES at White Plains Performing Arts Center

It was my first visit to this venue, and I was delighted to be invited to see WAMS graduate Jack Saleeby on stage in the featured role of Finch. Although I had enjoyed some of his Connecticut performances, I made a point of making the journey to New York to see him in the state where he is now based. It was easy for me to pick him out of the group of talented young triple threats, and I enjoyed every minute of his performance.

8. CRY IT OUT at Hartford Stage

While the play essentially looks at the power of female friendships, all of the four actors in the cast gave masterful performances and earned the standing ovation at curtain call at the matinee I attended.

7. TIE

MLIMA’S TALE at Westport Country Playhouse

It was fascinating to watch the dance of the title character; the other three actors almost shape-shift into a whopping 20 characters.

A SHAYNA MAIDEL at Playhouse on Park

Katharina Schmidt gave a stunning performance in the role of the Holocaust survivor Lusia Pechenik in her Playhouse debut...At turns brave and vulnerable, Ms. Schmidt's performance was mesmerizing and ultimately heartbreaking; for me, this will be one of the standout performances of the season.

6. TOMMY at Seven Angels Theatre

The Seven Angels production meets the technical and musical challenges, and the performance exhilarated the opening night audience, although patrons had to hold their applause until intermission and the final curtain call to show their appreciation to the cast and musicians.

5. THE FLAMINGO KID A NEW MUSICAL at Hartford Stage

Despite my lack of background knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed the world premiere of this charming musical helmed by Darko Tresnjak. THE FLAMINGO KID will be Mr. Tresnjak's last production as Artistic Director.

4. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at ACT of CT

Everything about this production of LITTLE SHOP is up close and personal and it worked exceedingly well.

3. SPAMILTON AN AMERICAN PARODY at Playhouse on Park

I loved every single second of this 80 minutes, so much so that my face ached from smiling and laughing. Part of it was that, even from the last row, I felt that the six cast members were making eye contact, and I wanted to show them how much I was enjoying the rapid-fire comedy. Admittedly, I probably appreciated the non-stop Broadway riffs more than the casual patron, but I would venture a guess that everyone in the venue had a great time.

2. FIRST DATE at Seven Angels Theatre

The memorable music and a truly hilarious script made for an upbeat and very fast-paced musical with an off-beat, Off-Broadway feel that was so much fun. I enjoyed every minute of this show.

1. QUIXOTE NUEVO at Hartford Stage (pictured above)

The funny, charming and touching production is brought to magical life by a multi-talented cast led by Elilio Delgado, whom many of us will remember for his groundbreaking role as Luis the beloved Latino handyman on SESAME STREET...I quickly fell in love with this performance and began to dread the sad ending as the second act progressed. I truly did not want this beautifully written work to end.

Runner ups: BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE at Goodspeed Musicals, NUNSENSE at Playhouse on Park, HONKY TONK LAUNDRY at Seven Angels Theatre

Click here to view my list of the best of Top Theatrical Tours of 2019.

Top Ten Plays of 2019 are posted here.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page