Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 5/20; BLOOD IN THE SNOW in Boston, Reimagined CATS in Columbus, I SEE YOU in S. Africa and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Boston, Columbus, South Africa and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include the World Premiere of BLOOD ON THE SNOW in Boston, a reimagined CATS in Columbus, and I SEE YOU in South Africa, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Rhode Island: Editor Andria Tieman reviews Epic Theatre's TOTAL STRANGERS. She says, "Anyone who has seen a show at Epic knows that sets are minimal and dialogue and performance rule. This works incredibly well thanks to the talents of Hannah Lum as Georgia and Kelly McCabe as Beth. What is essentially two women having a conversation becomes a fascinating back and forth that ratchets up the tension with every word. Epic always proves that you don't need elaborate sets to tell a compelling story, and this show is a fantastic example of the power perfectly chosen words delivered by skilled actors." Read more here.

2. Washington, DC: Editor Keith Tittermary reviews CITY OF ANGELS at NextStop. He says, "Artistic Director Evan Hoffmann takes a bold risk in staging this massive musical in an intimate setting with a scaled back cast. Mr. Hoffmann's vision of this miniature City is impressive and there are some truly outstanding aspects. First off, Cy Coleman's jazz score comes out in superb fashion with music director Elisa Rosman's intimiate 6-piece band. The original production was orchestrated by the great jazz trombonistBilly Byers and those charts received universal acclaim. Ms. Rosman has assembled some of the great musicians in this area and they truly are the strongest and most cohesive part of the show." Read more here.

3. Boston, MA: Editor Nancy Grossman reviews the World Premiere of Gabridge's BLOOD ON THE SNOW. She says, "The world premiere production, directed by Courtney O'Connor, features a strong ensemble led by Dale Place as Hutchinson, deftly portraying his struggle with the Hobson's choice placed before him. Daniel Berger-Jones is the sympathetic Lt. Colonel William Dalrymple, commander of the occupying forces, who understands what is at stake, even as he adheres to protocol." Read more here.

Midwest

4. Columbus, OH: Regional Managing Editor Christina Mancuso reviews Columbus Children's Theatre's CATS. She says, "With the use of silks, lyra, and aerial performers in choreographer Jeff Fouch's distinctive choreography, this amazing production has given CATS a fresh new life, yet retains its haunting portrayal of the original. Adding the warmth of the Lincoln Theatre, along with orchestra under the outstanding direction of Jonathan Collura, not to mention the unbelievably talented cast, this production is a must-see for Columbus theatergoers." Read more here.

5. Minneapolis, MN: Editor Jill Schafer reviews THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA. She says, "When the ingenious gentlemen of Four Humors apply their unique, clever, and hilarious storytelling style to a classic such as THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA, it's a thing not to be missed. And even though I've experienced many such unique adaptations by Four Humors, as well as original work, last night's world premiere opening night still gave me something unexpected." Read more here.

South/Southeast

6. Houston, TX: Editor Alexander Garza reviews THE CHRISTIANS at the Alley. He says, "The play is daring and bold. It shows us the identity crisis our society has been having when it comes to ideology, and how even the well-intentioned allow this to tear our relationships asunder instead of bringing us closer. The play was enjoyable and filled with suspense and dramatic tension." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Shari Barrett reviews NEXT FALL presented by Treehouse Productions and Macha Theatre Co./Films at the Macha Theatre. She says, "Berklund and Ayers are to be commended for their realistic and totally honest portrayal of what it means to really be in love and accepting your partner, warts and all. And when Arlene walks into the Jewish hospital's chapel and finds Adam praying when the end is near, what follows is the most tender scene of the play during which the real meaning of love and acceptance is brought to light." Read more here.

8. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews Book-It's THE BROTHERS K, PART TWO. He says, "Well last night with the premiere of "The Brothers K, Part Two: The Left Stuff" the onions were there in force along with tons of dust, pollen and cats. Must have been the case as the tears were flowing all night long. With just more of the same goodness from Part One, Part Two solidified just how good this story and this production is." Read more here.

International

9. South Africa: Editor David Fick reviews Mongiwekhaya's I SEE YOU / NGIYAKUBONA / EK SIEN JOU / NDIYAKUBONA. He says, "Mongiwekhaya's gift for writing dialogue is clear, with the banter between Ben and Skinn as well as that between Buthelezi and Masinga working well to get through the expository scenes. There are moments too when use of imagery speaks as clearly as his words, for example when Buthelezi puts on Vaseline at the start of the play. His ability to establish and develop motifs also serves the play well, as in the foreshadowing of a deconstructed pantsula dance at a nightclub in the early scenes of the play." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Wisconsin Editor Amanda Finn reviews THE LION KING in Madison. She says, "Leading this menagerie of performers is, interestingly enough, Brown as Scar. His keen sense of movement and velvety tone lend a calculating paw to the villainy. Brown plays the role with ease as he sneers his way to power and captures the audience squarely in his grasp." Read more here.

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

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This week, we welcome new Indiana high school blogger Hannah Terr, Central PA high school blogger Aimee Hunsinger, Dallas high school blogger Kennedy Reeves, S. Jersey high school blogger Alyssa Sileo, and college student bloggers Nicoleta Gavris (in Richmond) and Sam Weber (in Dallas). We'd also like to welcome new regular contributing writers Austin McLellan and Daniel Martine (Memphis), Raisa Lefe Rouse (Baltimore), and our newest fitness blogger, Katy Fraggos.

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