Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 9/16; EVITA Starring Eden Espinosa, IN THE HEIGHTS in Atlanta, Patti LuPone in CA and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Nashville, Atlanta, Costa Mesa and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include Studio Tenn's EVITA starring Eden Espinosa, IN THE HEIGHTS in Atlanta, and Patti LuPone in concert in Costa Mesa, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Rhode Island: Editor Andria Tieman reviews BEOWULF: A THOUSAND YEARS OF BAGGAGE at Trinity Rep's Chace Theater. She says, "As the narrative comes to a close, Warren sits down at the piano and sings a simple but haunting song about the role of being a warrior, and reminds the audience there there is no musical note that she can't hit perfectly. While the rest of the production is outstanding, and showcases the best use of an overhead projector ever, it's almost worth the price of admission for this song alone. Unless you're a monster who lives at the bottom of a lake, it will send shivers down your spine." Read more here.

2. Philadelphia, PA: Editor Kelli Curtin reviews ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION at Act II Playhouse. She says, "Higgins is hilarious as she captures the caricature of Hillary Clinton brilliantly. One of my favorite parts of the show involves how the troupe pokes fun at Clinton's presentation style. Higgins creates a musical montage that is exceptional while staying true to the Clinton character. Will Dennis provides a ton of energy onstage. There is a portion of the production where Dennis harnesses his comedic energy to its utmost while sprinting around the theatre as he impersonates an entire press core." Read more here.

South/Southeast

3. Nashville, TN: Editor Jeffrey Ellis reviews Studio Tenn's EVITA starring Eden Espinosa, Anthony Crivello and Ben Crawford. He says, "Broadway veterans Eden Espinosa, Anthony Crivello and the scene-stealing Ben Crawford lend an air of mainstem sophistication and panache to the show, to be sure, yet they are surrounded by a cast of Nashville-based actors, singers and dancers who underscore our city's self-proclaimed moniker of "Music City" to absolute perfection, lending credence to the belief that all music made in Nashville - country or otherwise, but particularly musical theater music - is of higher quality than that created elsewhere." Read more here.

4. Atlanta, GA: Editor Justin Adams reviews IN THE HEIGHTS at Theatrical Outfit. He says, "The first thing that caught my attention was Diego Klock-Perez, playing the main character, Usnavi. Upon hearing Klock-Perez, I thought maybe he was lip-syncing to the original cast album, or maybe that he was the secret love child of Miranda. But in all actuality, he was just that good. His rapping and singing were both exceptional with his movements being natural, giving the character an unrehearsed feeling." Read more here.

5. St. Petersburg, FL: Editor Peter Nason reviews David Lindsay-Abaire's GOOD PEOPLE at American Stage. He says, "Rebecca Dines as Margie gives one of the best performances I've seen since reviewing for BWW (over two years). You understand her in the same ways that you connect with a good friend who may drive you crazy or a family member that you just want to see on Thanksgiving. She is not necessarily a nice soul, or "good people" (she's too knee jerk for that), but she has inklings of kindness and there is an adorable shyness that sometimes seeps through in Dines' performance. She's real--a person, not a caricature--with a real, understandable chip (or two, or three) on her shoulders." Read more here.

West Coast

6. Phoenix, AZ: Editor Herbert Paine reviews IN THE HEIGHTS at Phoenix Theatre. He says, "Yamotahari is the star of this show, threading together these story lines with a delivery of Miranda's lines that is filled with urgency, intensity, and conviction. This is a tour de performance by a brilliant artist... Robert Kolby Harper has directed a winner, unleashing an exuberant display of talent and artistry." Read more here.

7. Costa Mesa, CA: Editor Michael L. Quintos reviews Tony Winner Patti LuPone in a one-woman concert, COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA. He says, "It should hardly be a surprise to anyone with eyes and ears why two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway Legend Patti LuPone elicits the kind of euphoric adoration she undoubtedly always gets from audiences, both new and longtime. The second she sings---heck, even when she walks out before she belts a single note---you know you're in the presence of someone that deserves the mountains of accolades she has continuously enjoyed through a very long, illustrious career on the stage." Read more here.

8. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews WINTER'S TALE at Seattle Shakes. He says, "There are some productions of Shakespeare which need all the flashy costumes and sets and transplanting to non-traditional times and places in order to make the show shine. And then there are productions like the outstanding production of "The Winter's Tale" currently being offered from Seattle Shakespeare Company where they've assembled such a talented cast and crew, innately fluent with the meaning of the show, who only require a few chairs and platforms and where the flash would just get in the way. It's those shows that remind us why we love theater when a group of actors can mesmerize us with their words." Read more here.

International

9. Israel: Editor Ronit Suzan reviews Adam Lambert and Queen in Tel Aviv. She says, "...Following these songs, Adam Lambert finally took time to talk with the audience, starting by saying one of the Hebrew expressions he said throughout the night, "L'chayim", a drinking toast in Hebrew, while raising a cup. "Are you hot? Hello! Erev Tov [Hebrew- Good evening]", he said on the rather quite chilly evening for an Israeli summer. "Oh my goodness, we made it to Tel Aviv! Such a happy day. Toda Raba [Hebrew- Thank you very much]", he continued." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Raleigh Editor Taryn Oesch reviews KINKY BOOTS at Durham Performing Arts Center. She says, "The music makes you want to get up and dance, the acting is both touching and hilarious, and the costumes are alternately beautifully realistic or stunningly outlandish. What shines most, though, is the love the characters have for each other and the love the audience takes away for their fellow human beings. It's an especially important message for an election year." 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 Peggy Hogan-Rao and Natasha Ashley who will be joining our Central NY team, Jennifer Minich and Heather Hill in Washington, DC, and Andrew Burrill as our newest student blogger in the DC/Virginia area.