Top Theatrical Tours of 2019

Naugatuck, CT - During 2019, I managed to attend six performances of national touring companies at the Bushnell in Hartford and Waterbury's Palace Theater. While that number is slightly less than some previous years, I was thrilled to be able to enjoy some of the best shows touring the country very close to home. I have included some quotes from my Patch review of the top four and you can read my entire review by clicking on the shows' titles.

The absolute best tour production that I saw this year, and actually in the past few years was the remarkable COME FROM AWAY (pictured above.)

"I loved everything about this unique performance and I came away feeling uplifted, despite the subject matter of the tragedy of 9/11. I did not anticipate being affected so much by the memories of that awful time that are still vivid in my mind, but it ultimately added to the experience of the show. There was a surprising amount of gentle humor that perfectly lightened the tone of the performance presented without an intermission."

The three touring companies that were at the top of my list begins with the colorful THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL ("This musical is more of a SpongeBob experience, in that it is colorful, bright, loud and all encompassing, all in a good way to my mind.") I also really enjoyed the premiere of A BRONX TALE in Waterbury.

The devoted fans and family of Nick Fradiani were out in force on opening night to support the 2015 American Idol winner on his tour debut and by the end of the performance just about everyone in the audience counted themselves as a fan of the CT native. I had actually spotted Nick Fradiani Sr. in the lobby before the performance; I recognized him from his appearances on the television Mass on WCCT. I was rooting for the younger Mr. Fradiani to succeed in his musical theater debut and I can assure you that he knocked it out of the park. Of course he nailed his vocals, and he fit in perfectly with the experienced actors that make up the touring cast.

Rounding out the top tours was the simply hilarious THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is like NOISES OFF on steroids and proves Murphy's Law, the facetious proposition that if something can go wrong, it will, often at the worst time. It is a never-ending stream of disastrous mishaps, some of which make the audience gasp, all of which make them laugh. I enjoyed every minute of the two acts and did not stop laughing.

I also enjoyed the touring production of WAITRESS in June, that I had seen on Broadway and I was glad be able to cross off my list of "always wanted to see" shows the tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON that came to the Bushnell in November, although I was disappointed in the latter.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts 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 CCC Facebook page.

Click here to read about Naugatuck/Bethwood Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis.