Regional Roundup: Holiday Edition! Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 12/4; SDMT's WHITE CHRISTMAS, SANTALAND DIARIES in Austin and More!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature holiday features in Chicago, Austin, San Diego, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include Mercury Theatre's CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, SDMT's WHITE CHRISTMAS, and SANTALAND DIARIES in Austin, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Washington, DC: Editor Heather Nadolny reviews A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL at MetroStage. She says, "The cast remains small and mighty, four actors with comedic gravitas who genuinely look like they're having fun and trying not to crack up in the process. MICHAEL SHARP juggles a hard of hearing, commanding Ghost of Christmas Past, a vengeful Tiny Tim and the flouncing nephew Fred. PETER BOYER is not your typical Scrooge, more petulant and bouncy than brooding, and a whole bunch of fun." Read more here.

2. Central PA: Editor Marakay Rogers reviews A CHRISTMAS STORY Lights Up at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. She says, "The film may be darker and more realistic, but this is an extravaganza, from dancing leg lamps to waving BB guns to classroom ensembles of kids singing about essay assignments and bullies. It's comic, it's fun, and like any Christmas spectacular, it's just that little bit over the top. The plot is faithful to the film, but the music and effects, including both adult and children's choreography by Samantha Hewes Cramer, are faithful to the idea of holiday magic. It's not the original film, but it's a different kind of holiday treat, one that's as sweet, yet as tart, as a giant peppermint stick." Read more here.

Midwest

3. Chicago, IL: Editor Patrick O'Brien reviews Mercury Theatre's CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. He says, "Indeed, though Stef Tovar commands the stage with a sailor's derring-do, a seller's brain, and a father's love, Reeger firmly places the journey on Alma's shoulders. Brianna Borger keeps her footing firm and her head high (and her voice clear and ringing) as her family weathers the passing of the years and gales, as a footing in both the Old and the New becomes increasingly visible to her. Aiding her on her journey, Owen charms as her eager-to-please son tugging at her apron; Libonati is sympathetic as he asserts his adulthood; and Sherman keeps a firm hand on whiskey-dry humor and Old World sentiment." Read more here.

4. Boise, ID: Editor Teresa Rodrick reviews EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD [AND THEN SOME!] at Boise Little Theater. She says, "If you leave this show without Christmas in your heart and a carol on your lips, then this may not be the season for you. This show, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD [AND THEN SOME!] is a show that brings out everything that you love about the holidays. It is even better if you treat this show like the holidays and spend it with loved ones. " Read more here.

South/Southeast

5. Austin, TX: Editor Frank Benge reviews THE SANTALAND DIARIES at ZACH Theatre. He says, "Martin Burke is hilarious both as Crumpet and as himself in this piece and will have you in tears of laughter with "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and "The Annoying Drummer Boy". His timing and physical comedy are impeccable. Meredith McCall possesses a sultry voice and two of her standout musical moments are "Text Me Merry Christmas" and "Surabaya Santa". She also is a wonderful foil to Burke. " Read more here.

West

6. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews A CHRISTMAS MEMORY at Sierra Madre Playhouse. He says, "Kalmus has smoothly and lovingly directed a marvelous ensemble. Kelber makes a beautifully eccentric Sook by not overdoing anything. Every subtlety comes through her naturally. Branch (sharing the role with Patrick Geringer) is precocious, fresh and lovable as young Buddy, so much fun to watch. Carey is endearing as Adult Buddy. Jean Kauffman is dynamite as Jennie; her "You Don't Know It" soars to the rafters." Read more here.

7. San Francisco, CA: Editor Harmony Wheeler reviews SCROOGE IN LOVE at 42nd Street Moon's Eureka Theatre. She says, "Creators Larry Grossman (of "Snoopy!!!" fame), Kellen Blair and Duane Poole give their title character some beautiful moments of contemplation. Guest star Jason Graae's comedic charms are familiar to Sacramento and the Bay Area audiences, but his tender Scrooge showcases a lovely, versatile voice, and provokes a tear or two in songs such as "A Kitchen Built for Twenty" (with a table set for one)." Read more here.

8. San Diego, CA: Editor Erin Marie Reiter reviews WHITE CHRISTMAS at San Diego Musical Theatre. She says, "As Bob, Engel has a great voice and is a true song and dance man himself as he sings and dances his way through this show. Pearce, as Betty has a lovely voice and her rendition of "Love You Didn't Do Right By Me" is a stellar torch song. Together, their duet of "How Deep is the Ocean" is a highlight." Read more here.

International

9. UK: Editor Verity Wilde reviews THE SNOW QUEEN at Royal and Derngate in Northampton. She says, "Caroline Head is deliciously campy and overblown as the Snow Queen and Tosin Olomowewe's sarcastic and antagonistic Raven makes sure nothing gets too saccharine. The script is smart and packed with word-play jokes that work for the whole family and once we got past their firsts scene I stopped noticing that the two children, Kai and Gerda, were most definitely played by grown-ups." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Editor Jeffrey Ellis interviews Scott Stewart who plays Old Max in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at The Grand Ole Opry House. Ellis asks, "Why should people come see the show?" and Stewart replies, "Russia has The Nutcracker, England has A Christmas Carol, and here in America, we have How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It is ours. It is such a timeless story - and a wonderful show foreveryone in the audience. Grandparents will remember reading it to their children. Those children, now parents, will remember having it read to them plus seeing the animated version that Chuck Jones created and then reading it to their children. And now those children are getting to see the story that was read to them come alive on stage! It is a beautiful production that stays true to the Seuss story in every way!" Read more here.

*BONUS* - Voting for the BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are now open in the following regions:

Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boise, Boston, Buffalo, Cabaret, Central Pennsylvania, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland,Columbus, Connecticut, Dallas, Delaware, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Long Island, Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, Maine, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Philippines, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh,Rhode Island, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sioux Falls, South Africa, South Bend, South Carolina,Spain, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Toronto, UK / West End, Vermont, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Wichita, Good luck to all the nominees!

Want to join our growing team? We have positions available in several U.S. regions and International countries! Contact christina@broadwayworld.com for more information!