Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 6/2; THE 39 STEPS in Pittsburgh, STEEL MAGNOLIAS in Cleveland and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Portland and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include THE 39 STEPS at Pittsburgh CLO, a "must-see" STEEL MAGNOLIAS in Cleveland, and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Portland Center Stage, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Maine: Editor Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold reviews Aaron Posner's adaptation of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL - STUPID F**KING BIRD at Mad Horse Theatre. She says, "While remaining true to the essence of the drama, Posner manages to make Chekhov's characters and concerns seem startlingly modern without gratuitous gimmicks. His own musical, textured and dense use of the English language grafts onto the dialogue a dazzling poetic veneer; there are remarkable concerted passages - not in the original - in which the characters voice their thoughts in harmony and counterpoint, just as there are snatches of song whose dark rhymes ring with satire." Read more here.

2. Pittsburgh, PA: Editor Dylan Shaffer reviews THE 39 STEPS at Pittsburgh CLO. He says, "Quinn Patrick Shannon, like Mr. Halferty, plays dozens of different characters during the nearly two-hour performance. He steals the show with his ability to diversify his talents, portraying everyone from a Scotsman to a thug to a wife that eerily resembles Mrs. Doubtfire (arguably one of my favorite parts from the show)." Read more here.

3. Boston, MA: Editor Nancy Grossman reviews LETTICE AND LOVAGE at Gloucester Stage Company. She says, "One of the highlights of the Gloucester Stage production is Jon Savage's set design which employs multiple revolving pieces to take us from Fustian House to Lotte's office to Lettice's basement flat. Costume designer Miranda Kau Giurleo gives Lettice a Bohemian appearance, with an array of scarves and belts to mark different days on the job, and dresses Lotte in more sedate, professional attire." Read more here.

Midwest

4. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko reviews a "must-see" STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Hanna Theatre. He says, "The concept of bringing the two-major production houses together, under the banner of a production as part of the Key Bank Broadway series, is unique. Usually PlayhouseSquare trucks in successful Broadway touring shows as part of the series. CPH tends to stage previously produced scripts, adding some locally written works, and hires nationally known, as well as local actors, to populate their shows.... To blend the two entities together was a bold, but natural move, something made possible by the creative forces of Gina Vernaci, Executive Producer of PHSq and Laura Kepley, Artistic Director of CPH." Read more here.

South/Southeast

5. Atlanta, GA: Editor Maggie Harney reviews BUYER AND CELLAR and THE SKIVVIES at Serenbe Playhouse. She says, "Nick Cearley, playing the role of Alex More in BUYER AND CELLAR, singlehandedly captured the essence of each impersonated character of which Alex recounts experiences with, including the distinctive voice and personality of Barbra Streisand, in this one-man show." Read more here.

6. San Antonio, TX: Editor Andrew Anderson reviews A CHORUS LINE at the Playhouse. He says, "Director Tim Hedgepeth manages to draw some fine performances from a talented cast, which includes Christopher Berry (giving a performance as the director Zach that brings Bob Fosse to mind), Paige Berry as Cassie and Rick Sanchez as Paul (a performance being all the more touching for an understated interpretation in a role that was spoofed by Robby Vance in Make Me a Musical." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Portland, OR: Editor Krista Garver reviews A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Portland Center Stage. She says, "For this production, Portland Center Stage has assembled a stellar cast. Demetrius Grosse, who plays Stanley, is an impressive display of masculinity (especially with his shirt off -- holy wow!). Stanley is a lower-class brute, and an abusive one, but in Grosse's hands he's also incredibly attractive, and even occasionally sensitive. You can see why Stella is so in love with him, and why Blanche is both drawn to and repulsed by him." Read more here.

8. Salt Lake City, UT: Editor Tyler Hinton reviews Hale Centre Theatre's BIG RIVER. He says, "Matthew Richards as Huckleberry Finn (double cast with Kooper Campbell) has a strong singing voice and a likeable persona. Harry Bonner as Jim (double cast with Conlon Bonner) successfully embodies the character with the needed pathos. They both make the audience want to root for them." Read more here.

International

9. Singapore: Editor Rocky Christopher Fajardo interviews Simon Gleeson in the Singapore return of LES MISERABLES. On the original production, Gleeson says, "I remember how the music stirred me, how the story made me feel. How terribly inspired I was," he continues. "It was like a guilty pleasure because I didn't share it. I didn't want to. Singing for me as a child was something I did just for myself. Performing the role is the complete opposite. I don't do it for me at all. All of it is shared and given to the audience. But it is the same great feeling of going through this powerful story." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Kansas City Editor Alan Portner reviews ONCE at Starlight Theatre. He says, "The Girl is the heart of the piece. She is a wonderful musician and it is her her warmth and humor that draws the audience in. The Guy transforms from bitterness to true affection. Both characters end up the better for their friendship. The ensemble is both talented and musically adept." Read more here.

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