Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 8/12; CABARET in Boston, AIDA at The Muny, NICE WORK at Music Circus and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Boston, St. Louis, Sacramento and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include CABARET in Boston, AIDA at The Muny, and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT in Sacramento, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Boston, MA: Editor Kristen Morale reviews CABARET at Cape Playhouse. She says, "The Playhouse does a wonderful job with this production: from the cast to the elegant and elaborate set (the crimson drapes the audience sees as it walks in are beautiful), this show is yet another triumph to add to the theater's already lengthy list of them. I'm not sure if this is something only I experience whenever I see this show, but there is a certain "feel" that Cabaret has - something that makes audiences acknowledge that they have stepped foot into a whole other world that is very different from that of other shows." Read more here.

2. Rhode Island: Editor Robert Barossi reviews AVENUE Q at Ocean State Theatre. He says, "Speaking of that cast, every one of them is perfect. Extra kudos must go to Puppet Captain Elise Arsenault. The puppetry in this production is so good, so finely tuned and fantastically realized, Arsenault deserves whatever credit is due to her for making that happen. That's on top of the credit she should get for her excellent performance as a member of the ensemble, playing the roles of Mrs. T and one of the Bad Idea Bears (which is just as funny as you hope it will be), as well as manipulating some other puppets while other actors provide the voices." Read more here.

3. Connecticut: Editor Carissa Chesanek reviews CABARET at Castle Craig Players in Meriden. She says, "The audience was completely tantalized by the sultry movements, wicked vocals, and impressive musicians, rocking out their own renditions of classic favorites, including "Don't Tell Mama" and "Cabaret." But it wasn't just the song and dance routine that reeled the crowd in - although there's no denying that helped - it was the lives portrayed by the actors on stage and the heartfelt stories you stepped into." Read more here.

Midwest

4. St. Louis, MO: Editor Chris Gibson reviews an "exceptional" AIDA at The Muny. He says, "They close with yet another stellar selection that's filled with flair and grace. This was especially important and evident when a 25 minute interruption of the proceedings occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest, and a remembrance of the Ferguson shooting of Michael Brown. A huge thank you should be awarded to actor Ken Page, along with Michelle Williams as they came out to address the protests which took place as the second act was set to begin. Page's eloquent and thoughtful speech allowed the action to continue on stage without further incident. All that aside, this is an absolutely vibrant production of AIDA, which sparkles like it never has before. An excellent cast, led by Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny's Child, and an orchestra that can more than deftly handle the shifts in style the score presents. bring considerable energy and enthusiasm toElton John's music and Tim Rice's lyrics." Read more here.

South/Southeast

5. Austin, TX: Editor Frank Benge reviews CARNIVAL in the Rollins Studio at The Long Center. He says, "Director and Choreographer Scott Thompson has created sheer magic in this staging. The show has dazzling dance numbers and show stopper after show stopper. In addition to the choreography, there are stilt walkers, unicyclists, jugglers and aerial artists. This production is a sheer joy from start to finish and even with all the flash and dazzle remains touching and gentle... not an easy trick, but Thompson and company pull it off with panache." Read more here.

6. Jacksonville, FL: New Editor Trevor Durham reviews HOTEL 99 at the The Pyramid Players. He says, "Each vibrous sing-along number bustles with stand-outs. The opening number, on the train to Hotel 99, features three dancers who give a strong opening energy to the show and whose smiles prepare you for more. Ian Torres gives a great George Takei accent and brings great timing to his jokes. The band members were engaging and a delight in trying to convince Nash to come back- it's too much to even pin down each performer for the wide selection they bring to the stage." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Portland, OR: Editor Krista Garver reviews A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Broadway Rose. She says, "These performers, and the rest of the sizable cast, have ample opportunity to flex their acting and vocal muscles. The result is a practically flawless execution of a show whose success depends on precise comedic timing and a big bear-hug embrace of the melodramatic. DirectorAbe Reybold has also chosen to incorporate a good number of modern scenery and prop elements, which increases the silliness, and, thus, the laugh quotient." Read more here.

8. Sacramento, CA: Editor Harmony Wheeler reviews NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at California Music Circus. She says, "It's wonderful. It's marvelous. And if Tuesday's immediate standing ovation was any indication, you will more than care for the new Gershwin musical, "Nice Work If You Can Get It," playing through Sunday at Sacramento's Music Circus." Read more here.

International

9. India: Editor Sayanvati Raysak reviews LIGHTS OUT. She says, "There are two things that I think are key to its success, separating it from the rubbish I half-expected it to be. One is that Diana, our ghost, does NOT mess around - I was actually kind of stunned at how frequently she attacked, and how violent those attacks were. Her first victim is crumbled and mangled as if they were just slammed into a tree by Jason Voorhees himself, and she attacks the other, "safer" cast members (read: a child and also our heroine, Teresa Palmer) with the same sort of intensity." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Jacksonville Editor Michael Lipp reviews MEMPHIS in Jacksonville Beach. He says, "It's a thrilling experience for an audience when the curtain opens and there is an explosion of pure energy that grabs you and does not let go until the curtain call. The musical MEMPHIS has exploded on the stage of Players by the Sea Theatre in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, garnering much deserved praise, sold-out houses, and spontaneous standing ovations that begin even before the final number has finished." Read more here.

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

*BONUS* - Interested in joining our team, but not exactly sure what we do? All of your questions are answered, along with every open position from guest and student bloggers, Regional Editors, BWW sites and more! Check it out here!

This week, we'd like to welcome Rob Bogin, our newest contributing editor in Denver, Gracie McBride in Atlanta, Taylor Clemons in Louisville, Ruth Sturm in Sioux Falls, and new college bloggers, Monica Furman (Los Angeles) and Christopher Castanko (Washington, DC).