Top Ten Productions by Young Performers 2018

Pictured above: The cast of MEMPHIS by Waterbury Arts Magnet School at Waterbury's Palace Theater Photo by Nancy Sasso Janis

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 36 of them falling into the category of productions featuring young performers.

Young performers include students in elementary school through high school and end with university students in training. If I am forced to choose my favorite type of performance to attend, I would have to say that I most enjoy watching the up and coming talent on the stages of every type of school. I always feel honored when I am invited to come see all of the hard work that the students have put into their final product.

This year included a very large number of outstanding performances in this category. This made it especially difficult to rank the best of the best, and many heavy-hitters were knocked out of the top ten.

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. This is especially true of school productions that run during a single weekend. So take the rankings for what they are worth.

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

Top Ten Productions by Young Performers of 2018

10. IN THE HEIGHTS at Sacred Heart University

Director Jerry Goehring always knows how to help his students to shine on the SHU stages and this time he cast the leading roles with his strongest actors and singers.

9. THE ADDAMS FAMILY at Amity High School

I was not surprised to see that ensemble comprised of the ghosts of Addams family ancestors had been expanded to over 30 young performers clad in fabulous white period costumes.

8. CARRIE THE MUSICAL by Broadway Method Academy

What I liked best was the level of talent and commitment of every single teen in the cast. Of course the adults led the way, but it was clear that the young performers were well-rehearsed, yielding a tight ensemble and very strong leads.

7. MEREDITH WILLSON’S THE MUSIC MAN by Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre

The number of children might have been down slightly, but the production itself was as big as ever and everyone was able to shine brightly with Mr. T in charge.

6. THE WHO’S TOMMY by Landmark Community Theatre Teen Drama Program

The opening night performance not only showed how long and hard every member of the group had worked on this production, but proved that teens can present a show that rivals the work of their adult counterparts.

5. NEWSIES by NewArts

The show involved over 100 local Connecticut children under the direction of Michael Unger with choreography adapted from the Christopher Gattelli's Tony Award-winning, Broadway production.

4. A TIE
CURTAINS at Trumbull High School
My parking lot thought was "Now THAT is how a high school spring musical is done!"

LES MISERABLES at Newtown High School

The incredible talent of the teens in this large cast rose to the level of the production values and the result was a show that gave audience members goosebumps at many points in the two acts.

3. A TIE
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at Western CT State University
The director made ample use of the various levels of this very modern space and had actors and narrators entering throughout the house, including from beneath the stage for one large puppet. It was visually pleasing and quite magical.

PIPPIN at Central CT State University
This cast of university students were truly "Extraordinary" in every way. I heard nothing but strong singers; they were all fine dancers and 100% committed to their roles as "players."

2. THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at Amity High School

This was the first time I was able to make the annual play offered for only one weekend. This production set the bar very high for the plays that follow.

1. MEMPHIS at Waterbury Arts Magnet School

The work of the two super talented students in the leading roles, along with that of the rest of the tight cast, made me feel like I was watching a touring company production of 'Memphis.'

Runner ups: BE MORE CHILL at SHU, SPELLING BEE at WCSU, GODSPELL at SHU

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 Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.