Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 10/21; HAMILTON in Chicago, BILLY ELLIOT in New Zealand and More!

**Bonus** Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 2016 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards! Click on your region below and nominate your favorites thru October 31st only!

Appleton,WI, Atlanta, Austin, AustraliaSydney, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Cabaret, CD/Books/DVDs, CentralNewYork, CentralPennsylvania, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Connecticut, Dallas, Delaware, Denver,Detroit, Houston, Israel, Italy, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Long Island, Los Angeles, Louisville, Madison, Maine, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Omaha, Orlando, Palm Springs, Philadelphia,Philippines, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Rhode Island, Rockland/Westchester, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sioux Falls, South Africa, South Bend, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Toronto, UK / West End, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Wichita

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Chicago, South Bend, New Zealand and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include the opening of HAMILTON in Chicago, SWEENEY TODD in South Bend, and Billy Elliot in New Zealand, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Long Island, NY: New Editor Nicholas Pontolillo reviews Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana in A BROADWAY ROMANCE at the Tilles Center. He says, "Santino Fontana and Laura Osnes were both pristine and captured the essence of a modern couple finding and struggling to hold onto romance. Some of the great performances of the evening included: a beautiful medley of songs from She Loves Me ("Tonight at Eight"/"Will He Like Me?"), an enrapturing duet version of "If I Loved You" from Carousel, and "First Date/Last Night" from Pasek and Paul's Dogfight, which was, personally, my favorite performance of the evening." Read more here.

Midwest

2. Chicago, IL: Editor Misha Davenport reviews HAMILTON in Chicago. He says, "As Alexander Hamilton, Miguel Cervantes is terrific as a man who is essentially the embodiment of American ideals. An orphaned immigrant who rose up from nothing to national prominence, Hamilton is a man who writes at a frantic pace, hoping not to "waste [his] shot" and thus secure a legacy for himself as he fights for freedom in the American Revolution, argues for the ratification of the Constitution by writing the bulk of The Federalist Papers, and eventually lays the foundations for the country's financial and banking systems that continue to exist to some extent to this day. Cervantes is appropriately frantic as Hamiltonbegins to stitch together all the ideas he has. You can almost see Hamilton's thoughts racing through his head." Read more here.

3. South Bend, IN: Editor Katherine Waddell reviews SWEENEY TODD at The Century Center's Bendix Theater. She says, "This was my first time reviewing for The Main Stage, Inc. and I have to say the production quality of the show was astounding. Even though the Bendix Theater does not belong to The Main Stage, Inc., what other set elements were in their control was nothing short of impressive. The costumes were superb, with each outfit consistently matching the macabre and oddly whimsical nature of the show. The makeup added elements to each actor that were perfect in completing their character, such as creepy, hallowed out eyes added to Sweeney Todd's intimidating stare. The stage setting also left no detail spared..." Read more here.

South/Southeast

4. Atlanta, GA: Editor Gracie McBride reviews MACBETH at The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. She says, "The fight choreography in this production is something to be marveled at. None of it looked clunky, awkward, or staged. The actors made full use of the space and whenever there were multiple people on stage, they all engaged in the combat, which made it very organic. The offstage war sounds at the end were a nice touch, as they reminded the audience that the onstage conversations took place in the midst of a war, and extended the playing space." Read more here.

5. Austin, TX: Editor Frank Benge reviews another SWEENEY TODD at Austin Theatre Project. He says, "The current production, being staged by Austin Theatre Project, is a rare opportunity to hear the complete score of the show, as it includes numbers that were either jettisoned or edited by the time the musical had reached Broadway. I can happily report that the show is beautifully sung, lead by a pair of virtuoso performances given by Penrod and Sheridan that are as fine as any you are likely to see." Read more here.

West Coast

6. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews a "must-see" EVITA at Cabrillo. He says, "Cabrillo's new production is taut and sleek. Most of the action plays front, downstage, and Evita returning to stand behind her coffin at play's end as her adoring public pay homage to her offers a chilling portrait of the image of angel/devil. Cheryl Baxter's choreography is outstanding as an ensemble of twenty+ great singers/dancers move continuously and fluidly around Eva (Cassandra Murphy), Juan (David Kirk Grant) and Che (Marc Ginsburg)." Read more here.

7. San Diego, CA: Editor E.H. Reiter reviews THE LION at The Old Globe. She says, "This is a one man show but his costars are the 6 guitars (all but one, acoustic) and the playing and the music is beautiful. After starting off with a sweet folk song and then transitions into some more reflective folk , jazz, and bluegrass inspired songs. The occasional funny or angst filled song in the mix keeps everything lively. "Laugh" is a delightfully sweet song about the first stages of romance, and one any person would like written about them. "Dear Dad" is a touching song that puts into song the letter that will never reach its intended recipient." Read more here.

8. Salt Lake City, UT: Editor Blair Howell interviews Director Brandon Stauffer in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The HopeBox Theatre. He says, "Stauffer said it was difficult deciding on his favorite aspect of Hope Box's production. "That's like admitting to having a favorite child. I will say that watching the nine-person ensemble cast come together every night and produce an amazing show is stunning. I could listen to their harmonies all day! But I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the amazing design team that gave the actors a place to live on stage."' Read more here.

International

9. New Zealand: Editor Monica Moore reviews Billy Elliot at ASB Waterfront Theatre. She says, "Billy Elliot is raw, gritty, poignant in parts and very 'northern England'. It is brilliantly cast with the children stepping into their roles admirably, well and truly meeting the benchmark set by the outstanding performances of the adult cast members." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Nashville Editor Jeffrey Ellis RENT's 20th Anniversary Tour at TPAC. He says, "Performed with commitment, focus and enough energy to send audiences home on a contact high, by a cast of vibrant, young actors, this revelatory revival of Rent - now onstage at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall in Nashville through Sunday, November 23 - proves the show's undying power, the scope of its story something that audiences of all ages can identify with, regardless of their own personal experiences." Read more here.

STUDENT BLOGGERS! We'd like to feature a few of our student bloggers below!

*BONUS* We have launched our 2016 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards nominations in a record-breaking number of regions! Don't miss out! Nominate your favorites thru October 31st!

This week, we'd like to welcome our newest contributing writer in Brazil, Andressa Lelli, and our student blogger in New Jersey, Dalton Allison.

*BONUS* - Interested in joining our team, but not exactly sure what we do? All of your questions are answered, along with every open position from guest and student bloggers, Regional Editors, BWW sites and more! Check it out here!