Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 1/22; THE PIANO LESSON in NJ, THE NETHER in Miami and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in New Jersey, Wichita, Miami, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include a "must-see" THE PIANO LESSON in New Jersey, PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE in Wichita, and THE NETHER in Miami, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Philadelphia, PA: Editor Kelli Curtin reviews ON THE ROAD AGAIN at Act II Playhouse. She says, "ON THE ROAD AGAIN, under the fine direction of Mary Carpenter, is a show that will have audiences laughing from beginning to end. Braithwaite and Childs are charming to watch as they are charismatic, have great comedic timing and strong singing ability. As the title indicates, travel and the need to take a break from it all, provide the inspiration for this show that takes a romp through a madcap travelogue of comedic scenes and songs related to tourism." Read more here.

2. New Jersey: Editor Sarah Vander Schaaff reviews a "must see" THE PIANO LESSON at McCarter. She says, "McCarter Artistic Director, Emily Mann describes the play's director, Jade King Carroll as an "astute and sensitive director who elicits extraordinary performances from her actors." And "extraordinary" is the word that best describes the performances that vibrate with a deep and honest harmony, not only as fully realized characters but as a family, with all the unspoken history, pain, and love that runs beneath." Read more here.

Midwest

3. Wichita, KS: Editor Alison Bridget Chambers reviews PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Signature Theatre. She says, "The strongest element of the Signature production was the casting- each actor was PERFECT for their role. As a collective, the cast was strong and versatile. Lydia Pirilli Harbutz, as the conflicted and dutiful Marcy, is a virtual Disney princess. Julia Faust as Rona, former bee winner and current host, was able to show off her acting chops as well as her voice." Read more here.

4. Milwaukee, MN: Editor Peggy Sue Dunigan reviews HOLES at the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center Performing Arts Center. She says, "That is the power First Stage's Holes so poignantly provides for audiences---an evening's chance to examine the present and then change the future for the better. An engaging perspective presented through the magic of theater challenges audiences to recognize the "holes" in their own lives, and reach out to change first themselves, fill their holes with another view of who they wish to become." Read more here.

South/Southeast

5. Austin, TX: Editor Frank Benge reviews DISGRACED at Austin Playhouse. He says, "The cast is fine throughout: Molly Karrasch is heart-breaking as Emily and J. Ben Wolfe is a commanding presence as Amir. Crystal Bird Caviel has an appealing warmth and intelligence as Jory and is the most internally consistent character because her character isn't asked to suddenly turn into someone entirely different. Solid supporting performances are delivered by Michael Miller as Isaac and Harold Fisch as Abe." Read more here.

6. Miami, FL: Editor Roger Martin reviews THE NETHER at Areas Stage. He says, "John Rodaz directed with all the taste one can bring to a piece as imaginative, brutal, and fascinating as THE NETHER. No scenes of sex or violence are portrayed on stage. All is intimation, and that's shocking enough.... Jodi Dellaventura designed the set, a marvel of fantastic realty and this, with Rick Kaydas' original music, provide a staging for THE NETHER that is perfect." Read more here.

West Coast

7. San Francisco, CA: Editor Harmony Wheeler reviews IRVING BERLIN in TheatreWorks' Production. She says, "Berlin's story is heartbreaking, beautiful and inspiring all in one, and Felder excels at telling it. Like his hands on ivory keys, Felder soars from moments of joyous fortissimo to instances of poignant pianissimo. We learn about the loss of Berlin's first wife shortly after their honeymoon, the sudden death of his infant son on Christmas day and the horrors thrust upon his beloved America by two world wars and racial tension. We also see the grand triumphs of his life, from Berlin's second marriage of 62 years to his interactions with the likes of Fred Astaire and Ethel Merman - of whom Felder does a fantastic comical impression." Read more here.

8. Portland, OR: Editor Krista Garver reviews CoHo's "chilling" adaptation of THE YELLOW WALLPAPER. She says, "If you would like to know what it feels like to teeter "so near the borderline of utter mental ruin that [you can] see over," just watch Carter in the scene where Jenny washes Charlotte's hair. Carter's portrayal of Charlotte's headlong race toward insanity is flawless. Watching it is a visceral experience. You'll feel the desolation of being deprived of intellectual pursuits, the anxiety that you too might become trapped behind the paper. I'm starting to panic a little just remembering it." Read more here.

International

9. Sydney, Australia: Editor Jade Kops features the 2015 SYDNEY THEATRE AWARDS WINNERS. She says, "In the Musical area, more categories were awarded this year, reflecting the growth in independent musical productions. Matilda was presented with four awards, Best Mainstream Musical, Best Performance by an Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (James Millar, Elise McCann) and a Special Achievement Award to the four young actresses who share the title role (Molly Barwick, Sasha Rose, Georgia Taplin, Bella Thomas). Violet took out Best Independent Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Mitchell Butel) and Best Musical Direction (Lucy Bermingham). Amy Lehpamer (The Sound of Music) was announced as Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical while Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical went to Hayden Tee (Les Miserables)." Read the full feature here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Editor Michael L. Quintos reviews BULLETS OVER BROADWAY National Tour at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. He says, "I can honestly say that this production---now finishing up its Los Angeles premiere performances at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through January 24---is quite possibly the most enjoyable non-equity first national tour I've watched in a long, long time---a wonderful surprise considering such enterprises have a long, contentious history of enticing lots of industry controversy and skepticism even before the curtain goes up (as in, why should theaters charge the same ticket prices for an equity Broadway tour show vs. one that's, well, not?)" Read more here.

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