Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 11/6; IF/THEN Tour; DISGRACED in Connecticut, SWEENEY in South Africa and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Connecticut, Omaha, South Africa, and more. Check out our top 10 spooky stories around our Broadway World below, which include DISGRADED in Connecticut, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in Omaha, and SWEENEY TOOD in South Africa, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Connecticut: Editor Karen Bovard reviews DISGRACED at Long Wharf Theatre. She says, "Director Gordon Edelstein choreographs the movements of these characters through inevitable clashes over the 90 minute show with crisp efficiency. There's no intermission to slow up the chain reaction of conflict. In this production, no character is allowed to elicit identification or sympathy via the application of personal charm by an actor. While the conflicts have particularity, there is a kind of formulaic rigor to the piece that prevents any naïve resolution." Read more here.

2. New Jersey: Editor Adam Cohen reviews CINDERELLA, CINDERELLA at Hudson Theater Ensemble. He says, "Everyone lends a welcome, non-patronizing touch to their roles and stands out by creating credible engaging characters. Sayad's voice is liltingly beautiful. D'Onofrio and Matos bring humor to the villains and the right touch of sass. DiCerto is flirty and smooth. Pape's godmother is cute but tough - hitting the themes of the story - courage - splendidly. Richman is paternal and warm - charming the ladies. Bivona brings welcome humor to the uncertain prince. And Dwyer's dog is loyal and essential comic relief." Read more here.

3. Maine: Editor Carla Marie Verdino-Sullwold reviews Good Theater's World Premiere of Urbinati Play, MAMA'S BOY. She says, "Betsy Aidem gives a blazing performance as Marguerite - part tigress, part Amanda Wingfield, self-absorbed and overbearing, desiring love and uncannily managing to destroy it. The fierceness and tenderness of her performance and the actress' ability to alienate and elicit sympathy at the same time is nothing short of magnificent - Tony worthy in another venue!" Red more here.

Midwest

4. Omaha, NE: Editor Christine Swerczek reviews SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Creighton University's Lied Center for Performing Arts. She says, "Staccato notes punctuate his paintbrush. The quickness of the music emphasizes the intensity of his passion. Finally, when George physically moves each person into the position that mimics his famous painting, every piece falls into place and the melody swells with the combined voices of the ensemble, filling the theater with the chillingly beautiful harmony of "Sunday." It nearly draws tears. Because Sondheim's melodies are so complex and unpredictable, they are challenging for singers. Dan Tracy masters the music. He nimbly tackles the quickest of notes, making it look easy. When he slows down and sings with Alexia in "Child and Art," he shows strength and power and blends beautifully with Alexia's pleasing clear voice." Read more here.

South

5. St. Petersburg, FL: Editor Peter Nason reviews LARK EDEN at the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota . He says, "Roxanne Fay proves once again why she is an area favorite. Her characterization of Mary is a scene-stealing wonder, full of life and heartbreak in equal amounts, and always there for the others. She's the honest one, lively and blunt, with no b.s. And her journey with her prune-faced grandmother and troubled mother is a thing of beauty. (It is to Symons' credit that we can readily visualize many of the offstage characters.) And every time Fay's Mary announces "Greetings from the House of Happy!" the audience collectively smiles at her damned likability." Read more here.

West

6. Phoenix, AZ: Editor Herbert Paine reviews Theater Works' ALMOST, MAINE. He says, "The glory of Theater Works' staging of this sweetness of a play, directed by Richard Powers Hardt, lies in the amazing ability of its four stars to shift seamlessly from one scene to another and to sculpt, at each new turn, distinctly different characters ~ never stepping over or repeating a prior enactment, a remarkable feat in itself." Read more here.

7. Thousand Oaks, CA: Editor Cary Ginell reviews MY FAIR LADY at Rubicon Theatre Company. He says, " Joseph Fuqua, a Rubicon regular who has performed in over 25 Rubicon productions, has actually improved on the role, taking advantage of the character's closer proximity to the audience to infuse Higgins with a greater sense of humanity than is usually perceived on a larger stage. Fuqua delivers with an absolutely brilliant and nuanced performance, playing it more like Peter O'Toole than Harrison, but utilizing the essence of what Harrison infused into the role, magnifying it through subtle amplification." Read more here.

8. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews a "Gripping Family Drama" in New Century's FESTEN. He says, "The ensemble, as with most NCTC shows, is the cream of the crop of Seattle theater actors. Farwell's arc from Lord of the manor to broken pariah is a stunner. Amy Thone as the matriarch Else has little to say in the play but gives a performance of studied nuance and laser focus showing off much of that silent communication I mentioned. Schwartz shows some wonderful moments especially as she uncovers the proof of the troubles. Sieber as the blustering black sheep of the family turns in a superb performance as he goes from outcast to potential favorite in one scene.Brenda Joyner as Michael's trod upon wife Mette gives a gorgeous look at a strong woman stuck in an abusive relationship. But it's Toms whose palpable angst keeps the tension amped up to 11 and gives one of the best performances I think I've seen from him." Read more here.

International

9. South Africa: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre has been extended to 13 December due to public demand. It features "sublime theatrics, a thrilling, chilling story, suspense, passion, deliciously dark humour, and a score and lyrics that have taken on iconic status." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Seattle Editor Jay Irwin reviews the National Tour of IF/THEN at the Paramount. He says, "Menzel's voice is her usual stunning brilliance and she truly inhabits the role showing off a lot of range as she takes on two different character arcs. LaChanze too shows off her incredible voice as she belts out several showstoppers as the free-spirited Kindergarten teacher Kate and she's got wonderful chemistry with Janine DiVita as her girlfriend Anne." Read more here.

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