Top Ten Musicals of 2018

Pictured above: SPRING AWAKENING Photo Credit: Mandi Martini ©2018 The Warner Theatre

Naugatuck, CT - 2018 marks the seventh 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 a bit to 129 published reviews, with 34 of them falling into the category of community theatre musicals.

While this is certainly a large number of shows from which to choose, my four 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 musical's title to read the entire review of the show to see more reasons why it made the list.

Top Ten Musicals of 2018

10. SEUSSICAL at Stage Seven Community Theatre

Simply everything about this production comprised of community theatre A-listers working together with dedication and a strong dose of Seuss imagination made for an outstanding matinee that I truly did not want to end. All the praise goes to director James Donohue for this multi-colored artistic masterpiece.

9. A TIE

WE WILL ROCK YOU by Landmark Community Theatre

I was blown away by the very loud rock music and everything else about this brilliantly fun musical.

NEWSIES by Warner Theatre

If you had seen the Broadway version or one of the touring companies, this community theatre production did not disappoint in any way.

8. MAMMA MIA at Curtain Call

The director made every member in the cast shine, without exception, and it was a pleasure to watch.

7. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at TheatreWorks New Milford

Lana Peck almost stole the show in the role of Frau Blucher in her TheatreWorks debut.

6. THE FULL MONTY by Warner Stage Company

The six leading guys who had to show lots of skin will hold a special place in my heart when I think of this production.

5. LITTLE WOMEN by Connecticut Theatre Company

The fabulous Jessica Irizarry did an astonishing job of bringing to life the character of Jo.

4. IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU by Goshen Players

I told the director at intermission that Roger Grace of Warren came close to completely stealing the show in the role of the fearless wedding planner Albert.

3. URINETOWN at Ridgefield Theatre Barn

By the final bows my printed program was filled with notes of the touches that made the Theater Barn's URINETOWN a privilege to attend.

2. THE COLOR PURPLE at Connecticut Theatre Company

I loved everything about this production and honestly was sad to see it end. I couldn't help but congratulate all of the cast members in the theatre's large lobby as I headed out of the theater.

1. TIE

ONCE by Warner Stage Company

The Warner production of 'ONCE' sets the theatrical "bar" exceedingly high for any upcoming community theatre renditions.

SPRING AWAKENING at Warner Stage Company

The actor's performances were, without exception, heartbreakingly accurate and the audience hung on their every word, even when the plot became difficult to take. It is a powerful work, to say the least.

Runner ups: ANNIE by Landmark, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Artful Living, BEAT BUGS by Pantochino, ELF by Landmark, and CHRISTMAS EVE AT EARLENE’S DINER at Seven Angels

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 Reviewerand on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.