Top Ten Plays of 2018

Pictured: from left: Tom Mendicino, Erica Dorio, Marnie D'Uva, and Anthony Contento in 'God of Carnage' Photo courtesy of CTAW

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 29 of them falling into the category of plays. I enjoyed many comedies, as well as dramas, and even a mystery. It was not a great year for Shakespeare, with only one work of the Bard on my list.

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

Top Ten Plays of 2018

10. ALMOST MAINE by Goshen Players
Eight great community theatre actors bring funny little vignettes to life in this play; the authentic conversational vibe made the performances even more memorable.

9. GOD OF CARNAGE by Community Theatre at Woodbury

The production by the Community Theatre at Woodbury under the insightful direction of Sarah Robards was enjoyable on so many levels.

8. A DOLL’S HOUSE at Hole in the Wall Theater

For me, the best part of the performance was watching Nora's awakening after her husband's severe and selfish reaction to the climax of the play's action.

7. EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (and Then Some) at Phoenix Stage Company

It never gets old.

6. WHITE GUY ON THE BUS by Square One Theatre

The play is fascinating to watch unfold, especially in the masterful strokes of the cast of five under the brilliant direction Artistic Director Tom Holehan of Stratford, a co-founder of the Connecticut Critics Circle.

5. THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Phoenix Stage Company

The cast was led by the supremely talented Daniel R. Willey as both Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde. By simply removing the spectacles of the good doctor and adding a hat, as well as a change in his speaking voice, this actor convincingly transformed himself into the evil Mr. Hyde and back again.

4. PROOF at TheatreWorks New Milford

There was proof on many levels in this fine production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play.

3. THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY at Square One Theatre

Watching Alexander Kulscar switch between these characters was mesmerizing, especially when two of them were having a conversation. With minimal props and no costume changes, we always knew who was who and were able to following along the tale of the tough talking detective.

2. THE LAST ROMANCE by Connecticut Cabaret Theatre

This heartwarming comedy about the transformative power of love easily mixes heartbreak with humor and Italian opera with laughter.

1. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Landmark Community Theatre

A most impressive production of an important work that is achingly topical.

Runner ups: THE FOREIGNER by Phoenix Stage Company, NANA’S NAUGHTY KNICKERS at CCT, CALENDAR GIRLS at CTAW, OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB at PSC, WALTER CRONKITE IS DEAD at Farmington Stage Company and LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST by Elm Shakespeare Company

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.