Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 5/29; LES MIS at Dutch Apple, The Blumey Awards & More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Central Pennsylvania, Louisville, Charlotte, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include LES MIS at Dutch Apple, SOCIAL SECURITY in Louisville, and a special feature on the Blumey Awards, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Washington, DC: Senior Editor Jennifer Perry reviews IF ALL THE SKY WERE PAPER at the Kennedy Center. She says, "Historian Andrew Carroll's endeavor to turn his best-selling collections of wartime letters into a theatrical piece proves to be a most satisfying theatrical experience for audiences." Read her full review here.

2. Connecticut: Editor Sherry Shameer Cohen reviews THE WINSLOW BOY in Stratford, which closed the 25th season of Stratford's Square One Theatre Company. She says, "Tom Holehan's maintains his excellence as a director. Greg Fairbend and Robert Mastroni's set design is exactly what we expect from that time period for a family that is well-heeled, but hardly filthy rich - floral wall paper, traditional furniture ready to be handed down to the next generation and/or homeowners. Judy Keegan's costumes are lovely." Check out more here.

3. Central PA: Editor Marakay Rogers reviews LES MISERABLES at Dutch Apple. She says, "Maya Naff plays one of the finest Eponines this writer has had the pleasure of seeing, her "On My Own" a delight, and her "A Little Fall of Rain" with Nick Lerew, the production's Marius, sufficient to put a veteran LES MIS reviewer into a bout of teary eyes. Similarly, Amanda Kuchinski is a well-cast Fantine, though her death scene is, if anything, perhaps a bit too restrained, as opposed to the horrid tendency to over-play it in most productions." Read her full review here.

4. Philadelphia, PA: Editor Kelli Curtin reviews FORBIDDEN BROADWAY'S GREATEST HITS at Act II Playhouse. She says, "This show is the "best of the best." Not only is it a spoof of Broadway shows, but it also has a phenomenal cast, and it is set in the intimate setting of Act II Playhouse, which works as the perfect setting for this cabaret style show. This production of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY'S GREATEST HITS at Act II Playhouse tackles the best and brightest of Broadway with vigor and enthusiasm." Read more here.

Midwest

5. St. Louis, MO: Editor Chris Gibson reviews Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. He says, "Shirine Babb is marvelous as Cleopatra, utilizing impeccable diction and phrasing to bring this resplendent and captivating character to life. Babb commands the stage with her presence, and every moment she treads the boards you can't help but be beguiled by her, even though her character's histrionics can sometimes be a bit much to bear.Jay Stratton is strong, sturdy, and perfectly suitable as the object of her affections." Read more here.

South

6. Louisville, KY: Editor Robert Sisk says that SOCIAL SECURITY is Frothy Fun at Derby Dinner. He goes on, "Who wants to make the drive and pay the ticket price for a light, late twentieth-century comedy when the entire series of "Friends" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" is on Netflix? "Social Security," written by Andrew Bergman and currently playing at Derby Dinner Playhouse, is the essence of those sitcoms brought to life. Is it provocative, complex and moving? No. Is it silly, lighthearted and a lot of fun? Absolutely." Read more here.

Southeast

7. Charlotte, NC: Editor Quinn Austin reports on the Blumey Awards, which recognizes excellence in high school theatre. "This year, twenty-one high schools within the Charlotte region were nominated for Blumey Awards in at least one of twelve categories, and another six counties had students recognized in the Top 20 in the Best Actor or Best Actress category. The counties represented included Cabarrus, Cleveland Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Union and York." Read his detailed report here.

West

8. Arizona: Editor Herbert Paine reviews ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, playing on the Mainstage Theatre at Phoenix Theatre thru June 14. He says, "Mr. May is an unadulterated hoot as Francis Henshall, a seemingly shiftless and oft-times bewildered chap with a seemingly insatiable hunger for both food (in the name of gluttony) and cash (in the name of love) who shifts into high gear to satisfy both by becoming the manservant to two men, each of whom is unwittingly and unknowingly interconnected to the other and unaware that they share Francis's services." Check out his full review here.

International

9. Brazil: Editor Claudio Erlichman previews Bilac Vê Estrelas, a musical that was a big hit in Rio de Janeiro, which is finally coming to São Paulo celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of poet Olavo Bilac. Check out his preview article here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Memphis editor Caroline Sposoto reviews KINKY BOOTS, which is running at the Orpheum through Sunday. She says, "Every actor in this touring production is well-cast, sympathetic and solid. Most notably earnest Steven Booth as Charlie and the loveable Lindsay Nicole Chambers whose comic timing as Lauren is ingenious. But the hands down standout is Darius Harper as Lola who owns the stage, bewitching in drag believable in street clothes with a poignancy that transcends the middle of the road moments in the script. Not only does he amuse us and wow us, but he also moves us to beileve, think, and consistently care. His memorable presence alone is well worth the price of admission." Read her full review here.

Bonus! Check out our first look at Terrence Mann and company as he directs and stars in CRT's LES MISERABLES! Click here for full coverage, and check out a sneak peek below:

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!