Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 7/22; LuPone/Ebersole in WAR PAINT, HUNCHBACK at Ogunquit, BYE, BYE BIRDIE at Goodspeed and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Maine, Chicago, San Diego and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include LuPone/Ebersole in Goodman Theatre's WAR PAINT, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Ogunquit, and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at The Old Globe, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Maine: Editor Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold reviews THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Ogunquit. She says, "The blazing dramatic center of the performance is Bradley Dean as Claude Frollo. Dean captures the complexity of this tortured character - his self-righteousness, his guilt, his repressed sexuality, his distorted sense of morality- to perfection, and he gives a vocal and dramatic portrayal of such texture and color as to command the stage at every moment he is present. The remainder of the stage ensemble are all excellent with special mention to Matthew Amirafor his brief appearance as Jehan Frollo and to Neil Mayer for the comic relief of his portrayals of Saint Aphrodisius and Louis XI." Read more here.

2. Connecticut: Editor Joseph Harrison reviews BYE, BYE BIRDIE at Goodspeed. He says, "Janet Dacal (Rosie) and George Merrick (Albert) have great chemistry, fully exploring the frustrated mix of love interest/co-worker. Mr. Merrick's facial expressions and movement during "Put on a Happy Face" simply made me do just that and Ms. Dacal's brilliant "Spanish Rose" brought the house down. The MacAfees (Donna English, Warren Kelley, and Ben Stone-Zellman) were the perfect foil for Kim (Tristan Buettel) who is thrown headlong into the media frenzy that hits Sweet Apple, Ohio. Warren Kelley (Mr. MacAfee), in particular, stole his every scene with a not-too-gruff, but not-so-nice attitude." Read more here.

Midwest

3. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko reviews ASSASSINS at Near West Theatre. He says, "...Director Bob Navis, Jr. decided to put aside the possible negatives, confront the issues of today, accept the language and subject matter of the script, and, the results is that he has staged a winner. The interpretation, singing, stage movements, choreography and, most importantly, the quality of the acting that makes real people, not caricatures, of the assassins, is impressive." Read more here.

4. Chicago, IL: Editor Misha Davenport reviews WAR PAINT at the Goodman Theatre, starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole. He says, "The book by Doug Wright, music byScott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie all go out of their way to treat each of these titans of industry as equals in every sense. Yes, with Ebersole and LuPone at the helm, fans would expect two 11 o'clock numbers and the team does not disappoint. Ebersole is given "Pink" in which Arden's signature color manages to become the only thing left of her legacy. LuPone has "Forever Beautiful" in which an aging Rubinstein takes comfort in the unchanging beauty of her many self-portraits." Read more here.

South/Southeast

5. St. Petersburg, FL: Editor Peter Nason reviews Eight O'Clock Theatre's 1776: THE MUSICAL. He says, "Is there a better time to pause for a moment, to take a breath, and to watch one more time how we got here? Perhaps this will put our present circumstances into perspective, and maybe it will make us question once again what freedom really means. Thankfully, Eight O'clock Theater has done just that by putting on 1776: THE MUSICAL for us to re-discover what this place called the United States of America is all about. And on top of all of that, it's a stellar production with the strongest local cast I have seen in years." Read more here.

West Coast

6. Phoenix, AZ: Editor Herbert Paine reviews SHREK THE MUSICAL at Arizona Broadway Theatre. He says, "It exceeded my expectations. Mace Archer has gone beyond the norm. He has directed something more than a lively and exhilarating show. He's fashioned a distinctive and incredibly intimate and engaging experience that speaks with authenticity to Audience members young and older. (Note: I won't indulge in a recap of the all-too-well-known story of SHREK. I'll rather sing praise to the ensemble and crew!)" Read more here.

7. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews ACT's World Premiere DAISY. He says, "The ensemble of the piece is quite tight with each of them beautifully bringing in perfect counterpoints to the conversation in their characters. R. Hamilton Wright as the head of the agency brings in the power, while Potter brings in the integrity. Toms brings in the confidence while Farwell supplies the fear. Cotten brings in the ambition and drive while Gotch provides the psychology and focus. And each of them manages it with a tremendous amount of honesty and realism never devolving their characters into archetypes or caricatures." Read more here.

8. San Diego, CA: Editor Harmony Wheeler reviews SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at The Old Globe. She says, "As the more composed sister Elinor, Sharon Rietkerk , is sweet and subdued, but not without power or a sharp tone if necessary. She has a lovely voice, and her harmony when singing withMegan McGinnis as Marianne is especially nice. As Marianne, McGinnis is the feisty sister and her performance and her singing both reflect the more dramatic and excitable nature of this character." Read more here.

International

9. Ireland: Editor BrenDan Daly reviews WAITING FOR GODOT at Druid Theatre. He says, "In this startling, penetrating production, Druid Theatre breathes new life into the familiarity of Beckett's 1953 script... Central to this achievement is the relationship conjured between Estragon and Vladimir, the two dishevelled men standing on a bleak country road unsure of who they are waiting for, why they're waiting, or whether they're waiting in the right place." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Madison, Wisconsin Editor Angie Stanton interviews Aaron Walpole of KINKY BOOTS. On the question, "What is the biggest challenge for you in the show?", Walpole says, "Spoiler alert. The boots at the end. I don't always want to give that part away, but I do end up wearing the boots. They are a challenge for a big guy like me. Two hundred and seventy pounds in high heels is like Bambi on ice." Read her full interview here.

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