Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 11/11; DOUBT in Rhode Island, HEATHERS in Salt Lake, FUN HOME in Chicago, and More!

**BONUS** Our Regional Editors are busy proofing your list of nominations and voting is NOW OPEN for the 2016 Regional Awards in the following areas:

Appleton, Austin, AustraliaSydney, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Connecticut, Dallas, Delaware, Denver, Israel, Italy, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Long Island, Louisville, Maine, Milwaukee, WI,Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Philippines, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Rhode Island, Rockland / Westchester, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Sioux Falls, South Africa, South Bend, Spain, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, UK / West End, Washington, DC, West Virginia

Keep checking back for your region to announce voting soon!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Rhode Island, Chicago, Salt Lake City and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include DOUBT in Rhode Island, HEATHERS in Salt Lake City, and FUN HOME in Chicago, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Rhode Island: Editor Robert Barossi reviews DOUBT at Ocean State Theatre Company. He says, "While the very relevant and relatable themes are part of the play's success, Shanley's writing also plays a big role in that regard. His characters are deeply real and instantly recognizable. There is no flirting with caricature or melodrama. They speak and sound exactly as you would expect them to and express emotions and thoughts that most, if not all, the audience will have had themselves at some point in their lives." Read more here.

2. Boston, MA: Editor Rishka Mehra reviews AKEELAH AND THE BEE at Wheelock Family Theatre. She says, "In the opening of its 36th season, The Wheelock Family Theatre showcases a production that pushes viewers to test the bounds of their own potentials and work hard to pursue their passions. WFT's AKEELAH AND THE BEE not only presents messages of resilience, tenacity, and perseverance in the face of adversity, but it also highlights the importance of garnering support through communal relationships and fostering a sense of self by understanding the obstacles of the surrounding world. A powerful story punctuated by humor, WFT's production of AKEELAH AND THE BEE triumphs in its ability to include the audience in a narrative where the courage of a child instills hope in others." Read more here.

Midwest

3. Columbus, OH: Editor Paul Batterson reviews KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN at Short North Stage. He says, "Short North Stage's epic production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is one of the "can't miss" musicals in the Columbus' fall season. Director Michael Licata's artistic touches, dynamic performances by Eli Brickey, Scott Hunt, Joe Joseph and a lavish stage design by Jason Bolen bring together a dynamic theatre experience." Read more here.

4. Chicago, IL: Editor Teresa Budasi reviews FUN HOME at Chicago's Oriental Theatre. She says, "Petkoff deftly manages the role of the tortured Bruce, whose perfectionist tendencies are at odds with the real mess of his life, which keeps him at a troubling distance from those who love him. "Sometimes my father appeared to enjoy having children," the adult Alison recalls. It's one of the sad truths she figures out as she grows up and puts the pieces of her life together. It's a relatable moment, that realization that there is so much more to our parents than ever crossed our minds as children." Read more here.

5. Milwaukee, WI: Editor Peggy Sue Dunigan reviews I LOVE A PIANO at Milwaukee Rep Theater. She says, "Berlin often captured the soul of America's past with his heartbeat on humanity through his prolific music. Four talented artiste lavishly cavort on stage--Kelley Faulkner, Jane Lebanz, Eric Shorey and Steve Watts---where each performer dances, tinkles those ivories, and sings Berlin's legacy under JC Clementz's direction and Dan Kaz music direction, the Rep's recent dream team when producing in the Stackner. Throughout the performance, costumes switch from glittering flapper dresses, to "Puttin' on the Ritz" furs, tails and top hats, and later service uniforms in a twinkling of an instant through Sally Dolembo's designs, so the audience's eyes never leave the stage." Read more here.

South/Southeast

6. Tallahassee, FL: Editor Trevor Durham reviews AND THEN THERE WERE NONE at Theatre Tallahassee. He says, "Findley's cast works well, and without trying to spoil which characters last throughout, it seems that each manage their own weight and import through their sequences. From the butlers, to the judge, to the captain, to the secretary, and the rest, each feel important enough to be shocking when they meet their end. If Findley hadn't balanced her cast, performances would over shadow short-lived characters in a predictable manner, but the production keeps you guessing." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews NCTC's THE BIG MEAL. He says, "New Century Theatre Company's "The Big Meal" takes what can be a simple romantic comedy/family drama and turns it into a sumptuous journey served up by some of the most gifted actors in town. And on a personal note, they managed to turn me into a weeping snot monster which hasn't been done at this level since another NCTC show, "Mary's Wedding"." Read more here.

8. Salt Lake City, UT: Editor Tyler Hinton reviews HEATHERS THE MUSICAL at Utah Rep. He says, "The leading women of the show have plenty of opportunities to showcase both powerful vocals and raw emotion. Karli Lowry as Veronica Sawyer leads the pack with a performance the audience wants to root for. Chaska Johnson is also very likeable as her sweet friend Martha Dunstock. Giovanna Doty as Heather Chandler, Emily Wells as Heather McNamara, Kendra Thomas as Heather Duke are a deliciously disdainful and talented trio." Read more here.

International

9. UK/West End: Alexandra Coghlan reviews LULU at London Coliseum. She says, "Already seen in New York and Amsterdam, South African artist William Kentridge's production may have been conceived long before the current political crisis, but its sliding screens and paper palimpsests, its restless and relentless trying on of images for size, its visual reinventions and evolutions, couldn't be more timely. Some may balk at the constant assault of information and stimulation, but surrender to its gorgeous chaos, stop trying to see where set ends and projection begins or to identify the many figures whose sketches fleetingly appear, and you'll find a natural foil - a visual equal and opposite - to Berg's meticulously arranged and highly formalised score." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. San Francisco Editor Linda Hodges reviews DISNEY'S THE LION KING at San Francisco Orpheum Theatre. She says, "Disney's The Lion King, in all its magic and majesty, roared into San Francisco's Orpheum Theater and will be here now through December 31. If you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left,' then this show is surely one for the list. Directed and loved into being by Julie Taymor, who infuses her creation with rich multicultural beauty, soul-stirring African harmonies and life-sized almost living, breathing animal puppets, Lion King will capture your heart as it surrounds your senses with magic, wonder, awe and grace." Read more here.

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

This week, we'd like to welcome our newest contributing writer in Oklahoma, Ronn Burton, Heather Tucker in the Netherlands, Guest Blogger Amanda Kingston in Houston, and Guest Blogger Samantha Jamieson in Toronto on Randolph Academy's SEUSSICAL.

*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!