Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 1/15; GEORGIE at Signature, LITTLE SHOP in Cleveland and More!

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This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Long Island, Washington DC, Cleveland, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include BIG FISH in Long Island, GEORGIE at Signature Theatre, and an interview with Lauren Molina starring in Cleveland Play House's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Long Island, NY: Editor Melissa Giordano reviews BIG FISH at SoLuna. She says, "Leading the stellar Karen Braun directed cast as Edward and Will are actual father and son duo James and Andrew Murano. James gives a particularly heartfelt rendition of "Be The Hero" at the top of the show and "How It Ends" toward the end of act two. Their "showdown" scene is intense as well. Additionally, Andrew's rendition of "Stranger" and the reprise of "Be The Hero" at the end is heartbreaking. Both gentlemen give wonderfully strong performances." Read her full review here.

2. Washington, DC: Editor Hannah Wing reviews GEORGIE: MY ADVENTURES WITH GEORGE ROSE at Signature Theatre. She says, "Dixon's talent is remarkable and his dedication to his craft is shown in the way he approaches every character within this production. He is able to illuminate a person's personality through his mannerisms and voice. One moment, Dixon is speaking in his own voice then (as if a light switch clicks to the "on" position), he morphs into Rose or even Truman Capote seamlessly. He is an engaging storyteller and is able to pull a range of emotions out of his audience that range from laughter to grasps of shock. There is never a dull moment throughout the entire production." Read more here.

Midwest

5. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko interviews Lauren Molina who is currently starring in Cleveland Play House's production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Molina reports, "LITTLE SHOP is irreverent. It is sweet and beautiful." It sends a message "that someone can rise from nothing and gain great acclaim, even if it takes creativity and blood." "It's a parody of the monster movies of the 50s." "The plant is representative of greed." There are three sub-themes: "society puts pressures on people, what is needed is love, and money can't buy happiness." Read her full interview here.

South/Southeast

6. Austin, TX: Editor Lynn Beaver reviews Noël Coward's comedy, FALLEN ANGELS at The Trinity Street Theatre. She says, "Robinson and Erington are marvelous as the leading ladies, Julia and Jane. Both play the roles with verve and make the audience fall absolutely in love with them. The drunk scene between the best friends, worth the price of admission, is brilliantly played and superbly directed. Both women sport spot on accents, clear, crisp and precise, an utter delight to the ears." Read more here.

7. Orlando, FL: Editor April Montgomery reviews a "brilliantly scripted" DANCING LESSONS at Orlando Shakes. She says, "The set for DANCING LESSONS is outstanding and consists of Senga's carefully planned and craftily engineered New York apartment. Steven Mitchell, Scenic Designer, really nailed it with the musical theater paraphernalia, decor choices and overall feel. The costumes, designed by Kristina Tollefsen are simple and appropriate, leaving nothing to be desired. Sound design, led by Britt Sandusky, was absolutely flawless on Saturday night as well." Read more here.

8. Tampa, FL: Editor Peter Nason reviews Israel Horovitz's LEBENSRAUM at the Shimberg. He says, "The idea is fascinating: For the first time since the Holocaust, a guilty Germany decides to allow a "living space"--a Lebensraum--to 6 million Jews. Told as a sort of documentary, with three talented actors inhabiting over 50 roles and also acting as narrators, it's a fast-paced, whirlwind ride in a story that plays as if it's actually happening. It's like the stage version of The 39 Steps meets An Apartment in Berlin." Read more here.

International

9. West End/UK: Editor Gay Naylor reviews FEAR AND MISERY OF THE THIRD REICH at the Union Theatre. He says, "This is bold and brave theatre-making by The Phil Willmott Company and Sasha Regan's Union Theatre. With an ensemble cast and barely a set at all, everything is done on a shoestring, but it's no less powerful for that - hear Chiara Francis's cri-de-coeur as she heads towards an unknowable future in Amsterdam and weep. And, with the kind of hate speech that one would find in the Völkischer Beobachter commonplace "below the line" on newspaper websites (and sometimes "above the line" too) and American Presidential candidates treated seriously and supported, despite plainly fascist views, it's never been more important to learn the lessons of history - for those who do not are condemned to repeat it." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Raleigh: Editor Jeffrey Kare reviews the National Tour of RAGTIME which is playing at the North Carolina Theatre through January 17th. He says, "The entire company consists of mostly non-union actors who display some very rich vocal performances from beginning to end. Among the individual performances, Chris Sams gives a commanding performance as Coalhouse Walker, Jr.; Kate Turner and Troy Bruchwalski both give caring performances as Mother and Father respectively; Donald Coggin is perfectly cast as Mother's idealistic younger brother; Matthew Curiano gives a heartfelt performance as the Jewish immigrant, Tateh; and Leslie Jackson truly gives a heartbreaking performance as Coalhouse's love interest, Sarah." Read more here.

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This week, we'd like to welcome our newest contributing writer in Albuquerque, Devon Hoffman, Kate Mock Elliott in Cincinnati, Elizabeth Brink in Atlanta, Kazimierz Novak in NYC who will be reporting on classical music, and our newest student bloggers Tara Folio of Auburn University and Rebecca Salzhauer and Yanniv Frank of Riverdale Rising Stars Theatre Program.

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!