Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 7/17; GYPSY in Rhode Island, GODSPELL in Westchester and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Rhode Island, Westchester, Chicago and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include GYPSY in Rhode Island, GODSPELL in Westchester, and GRAND CONCOURSE in Chicago, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Rhode Island: Editor Robert Barossi reviews GYPSY at Ocean State Theatre. He says, "Ocean State Theatre Company has just what you need, a nearly perfect production of this beloved musical. And if you are not one of those people, and you have seen the show before, you should definitely see it again at OSTC."... "Leading the equally skillful cast is Amiee Turner, OSTC's own Producing Artistic Director. As Rose, Turner takes full opportunity to make the role her own and hit an absolute home run with it. From the first moment she appears, walking through the theater and onto the stage, her magnetism and charisma draw the audience to her. She commands their attention and they can't wait to see what she says and does next." Read his full review here.

2. Rockland/Westchester: Editor Kathryn Kitt reviews GODSPELL at Westchester Broadway Theatre. She says, "Directed and Choreographed by John Fanelli with assistance from Jonathan Stahl, he has assembled a highly spirited group of young actors who were able to convey the emotional core of the lessons. One must stay true to your beliefs in the ways of forgiveness, empathy and compassion. The actors have a great connection to each other and sing with beautiful harmonies and execute graceful and energetic choreography." Read more here.

3. Boston, MA: Editor Jan Nargi says that a "stellar cast wanders OFF THE MAIN ROAD in Williamstown." She goes on, "Production elements are first-rate in OFF THE MAIN ROAD, with Takeshi Kata's detailed scenic design evoking the seasonal cabins of a bygone era and Paloma Young's costumes fixing the play squarely in the post-Camelot 1960s. Lighting design by Ben Stanton and sound design by Ben Truppin-Brown subtly mark the passage of time from mid-winter to early spring, and Thomas Schall's fight sequences are jarringly realistic." Read her full review here.

4. Pittsburgh, PA: Editor Greg Kerestan reviews CHICAGO at Theatre Factory. He says, "I was pleasantly surprised to see Tom Bekavac and Laura Wurzell's production at the Theatre Factory in Trafford breaking that all-too-common mold. With a semi-pro cast of local character actors filling out the usual suspects, this Chicago is faster, funnier, and dare I say warmer than your average cookie-cutter staging." Read more here.

Midwest

5. St. Louis, MO: Editor Chris Gibson reviews The Muny's BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. He says, "Andy Christopher does superior work as Buddy, making him into a fully formed character, not just a caricature, and providing us with some tasty licks on his trademark Stratocaster in the process. With his thick black glasses firmly in place, Christopher gives voice to Buddy's great music, while also showing us the different aspects of his personality, including his determination, as well as his often playful attitude. Sam Weber demonstrates some incredible skills on the double bass as band member Joe B. Mauldin, and Joe Cosmo Cogen is sharp as a tack on drums as Jerry Allison." Read his full review here.

6. Chicago, IL: Editor Rachel Weinberg reviews GRAND CONCOURSE at Steppenwolf. She says, "Director Yasen Peyankov leads a devoted, compelling cast in Grand Concourse. As written by Schreck, Shelley has both a no-nonsense attitude about running her soup kitchen and also a deep sense of inner emotional turmoil. Mayberry deftly embodies both of these traits in her portrayal of Shelley. She is appropriately and convincingly all-business when she needs to be, as when she admonishes Emma in an early scene for not washing her hands before handling food. Mayberry's sharp, rapid-fire reaction indicates that this is serious business." Read her full review here.

South

7. Tampa, FL: Editor Peter Nason reviews Ken Ferrigni's OCCUPATION at Jobsite Theater. He says, "The production at Jobsite is mostly first rate, and the Shimberg is a perfect venue for a show like this. The Road Warrior-like opening prologue, featuring David Jenkins ingenious videos and news footage, is spectacular. This beautifully crafted opening, combined with Jenkins' equally brilliant sound design, is spot on." Read more here.

8. West Virginia: Editor Johnna Leary reviews WORLD BUILDERS at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. She says, "Brenna Palughi portrays Whitney with an adorable neurosis and her quirky, intelligent performance illustrates the character's outgoing optimism. Palughi was an insane ball of energy while describing her imagined science fiction-esque world and characters and her high energy at the top of the show instantly won the audience over." Read more here.

West

9. Editor Ellen Dostal says that 3D Theatricals' TARZAN is a "swinging success." She goes on, "Oddly enough, in the excellent hands of director Rufus Bonds, Jr. and his 3DT cast, the characters take on a richness that makes TARZAN completely satisfying, both artistically and emotionally. It's a credit to what the company does and reason enough why I recommend you make the drive to see this production. There won't be another TARZAN in Southern California like it again.." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Chicago editor Misha Davenport reviews KINKY BOOTS now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theater through July 26. She says, "Chambers' performance of "The History of the Wrong Guys" is a show stopper. Chambers has some great chemistry with both Parker and Booth as well."... "I would also be remiss not to mention Lola's angels: Joe Beuregard, Darius Harper, Tommy Martinez, Ricky Shroeder,Juan Torres-Falcon and Hernando Umana. Dressed in Gregg Barnes' scene-stealing costumes, the angels bring high energy to Jerry Mitchell's challenging, Tony Award-winning choreography -all in high heels, no less." Read more here.

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