Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 8/21; AVENUE Q at Seacoast Rep, OUR TOWN in Cleveland and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in New Hampshire, Cleveland, Melbourne and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include AVENUE Q at Seacoast Rep, OUR TOWN in Cleveland, and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT in Melbourne, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Boston, MA: Editor Kristen Morale reviews EVITA at Cape Rep. She says, "Now, the actors in this production deserve their own bout of praise. Rachel O'Malley as Eva gave one of the best performances I have ever seen on a stage; after listening to her astounding voice for the first act, I would imagine the universal sense of anticipation watching her tackle both the notes and the pressure of Eva's gradual decline in the second. This is the type of person whom others can show their admiration by trying to be as good a performer as, and there really is nothing but grand things to say about everything she did on that stage; most importantly, she played the role of Eva Perón beautifully." Read her full review here.

2. New Hampshire: Editor Trevor Worden reviews AVENUE Q at Seacoast Repertory Theater. He says, "The puppets are truly an act of genius. During the curtain speech for opening night, it was quoted that there are 100 puppets being used. Each puppet was hand designed by Hart and Mallard. They all make the set come to life in a realJim Henson-esque way, completely different than the original staging. The intricacy of each puppet shines throughout and seamlessly works together with the humans operating them." Read more here.

3. Central PA: Editor Marakay Rogers reviews Allenberry's SOUTH PACIFIC. She says, "At Allenberry, directed by Artistic Director Ryan Gibbs, SOUTH PACIFIC isn't a small, perfect gem - it's a big, gaudy jewel that demands that you see how marvelous it is. It's almost over-the-top great, and a real reflection of the theatre's change in artistic perspective. It's big, but it doesn't feel too big for Allenberry's stage. The set, designed by Andre Valsing, combines highly realistic with highly stylized, and a realistic naval base and a stylish, stylized island of Bali Hai fits perfectly with the sailors' picture of the off-limits island as the epitome of their feverish dreams of utopia. Dann Dunn's choreography isn't overblown; these sailors dance like guys who are sailors, not sailors who are secretly ballet dancers, in a more-realistic-than-the-OKLAHOMA-ballet move that also works as it should." Read her full review here.

Midwest

4. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko reviews OUR TOWN at Blank Canvas. He says, "Strong performers are John J. Polk (Dr. Gibbs), Laura Starnik (Mrs. Gibbs), Lynna Metrisin (Mrs. Webb), Perren Hedderson (George), Makenna Weyburne (Rebecca), Becca Frick (Emily) and Lance King (Mr. Webb).... There are some excellent scene highlights. The before the wedding breakfast conversation between Mr. Webb and George is delightful, as is the talk between Emily and her mother, when Emily inquires about whether she is pretty and finds out she is pretty enough for all "normal purposes." Read more here.

5. Milwaukee, WI: Editor Peggy Sue Dunigan reviews Theater RED's World Premiere of THE SEEDS OF BANQUO at Soulstice Theater. She says, "Iannone's intelligent, sharp-witted and sophisticated play keeps the audience both attentive and smiling with touches of keen humor--a class act in every sense. By linking Booth the to Scottish king, and Barret with Shakespeare's character of Banquo, the prophecies in Macbeth and foretold by the three witches ring ture or these two dear friends, Booth and Barrett, Macbeth and then Banquo. While Macbeth will be the new Scottish royal, Banquo will carry the royal lineage." Read her full review here.

6. Madison, WI: Editor Amanda Finn reviews APT's THE ISLAND. She says, "Chiké Johnson (Winston), a newcomer to APT this season, is the yang to LaShawn Banks' (who plays John) yin. Johnson's thundering voice exudes deeply seeded frustration for the state of his character. When this anger has to be manifested in the calm role of Antigone, graciously given to him by his cellmate, Johnson's expressive eyes speak the loudest." Read more here.

West

7. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews Candlelight's IN THE HEIGHTS. He says, "Anyssa Navarro makes a beautiful Nina Rosario, intelligent and caring, not unlike Usnavi, but her good fortune lies outside the heights, not within, as she has experienced study at Stanford University. Domonique Paton makes a sexy Vanessa, who, unlike Nina, has less of a chance for self-improvement. She resigns herself to stay, but like most of her friends, rarely lets living get her down." Read his full review here.

8. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews THE TUMBLEWEED ZEPHYR at Pork Filled Productions. He says, "The show manages to build on the previous installment beautifully but doesn't require you to have seen its predecessor. The tone is a wonderful mixture of old west serial and futuristic technologies, kind of like the series "Firefly" complete with its own version of swearing ("great galloping thunder turtles"). And that tone is only heightened by superb designs from the production team. I especially have to call out the gorgeous costumes from Jocelyne Fowler and the stunning set from Craig Wollam. A set, I might add, that managed a bit of stage magic at one point that caused me to squeal like a little kid. I won't ruin the surprise here but trust me; you'll know it when you see it." Read more here.

International

9. Melbourne, Australia: Tim Carney reviews NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT in Melbourne. He says, "The production team excel with the material. Roger Hodgman's direction is slick and his use of space is particularly clever and inventive, filling every morsel of it with his talented cast. Also maximizing the abilities of her cast is chorographer Dana Jolly. Her choreography is sympathetic to the era but with a contemporary edge and is truly a feature of the production. Orchestra Victoria, under the precise baton of musical director John Foreman, bring the Gershwin classics to life with fervor and grace. Also absolutely nailing the period and style is Isaac Lummis' costume design which is a visual smorgasbord and completely highlights the period." Read his full review here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Seattle Editor Jay Irwin reviews PIPPIN, now playing at the Paramount Theatre through August 23rd. He says, "The cast is superb. McClinton takes charge of the stage from the offset and never lets go and her command of the style and those Fosse moves is super sharp and precise. Flores is adorable yet grounded as the young Pippin searching for his way and his chemistry with Bradley Benjamin as Catherine is electric. And Benjamin's comedic moments are only outmatched by her heartfelt ones. Harper and Altemus make for the perfect foils to Pippin's plans and keep the comedy and outrageousness flowing especially Altemus whose swagger and pomp was a beautiful thing to behold." Read more here.

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