Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 4/29; Broadway Hopeful DIARY OF A WIMPY KID in Minneapolis, HARVEY MILK in DC and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include the World Premiere of Broadway hopeful DIARY OF A WIMPY KID in Minneapolis, I AM ANNE HUTCHINSON/I AM HARVEY MILK starring Kristin Chenoweth and Andrew Lippa in DC, and a revival of THE FANTASTICKS in LA, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Washington, DC: Editor Jennifer Perry reviews I AM ANNE HUTCHINSON/I AM HARVEY MILK at Strathmore. She says, "The small but mighty Chenoweth proved once again that she's an acting and singing force to be reckoned with, and with every ounce of her body, convincingly played the wronged, but stalwart woman. The songs showcased her technically perfect voice, flawless diction, enviable vocal range, as well as her ability to interpret a song." Read more here.

2. Rhode Island: Editor Veronica Brushini reviews A WINTER'S TALE at The Gamm. She says, "The Gamm's Artistic Director, Tony Estrella, delivers a powerful performance as King Leontes. Leontes' actions are so deplorable, it would be easy to paint him as a tyrannical villain, but Estrella portrays the monarch as a complex and fully realized character. He first bears himself with the nobility of a sovereign and shows an easy, affectionate bond with his family and friends (especially young Prince Mamillius, played charmingly by Bedros Kevorkian)." Read more here.

3. Pittsburgh, PA: Editor Dylan Shaffer reviews ONE FLEW OVER THE CUKOO'S NEST at The New Hazlett Theater in Pittsburgh's Allegheny Center He says, "One of the most striking aspects of this production is the visual design. The haze from the psych ward theater escapes to the lobby and greets patrons when they first arrived. The theater itself, laced with barbed wire, resembles the prison-feeling of entrapment for the characters and audience, but the actual stage for the production is simply astounding. For such a small theatre, the linear perspective scenery of the ward is brilliantly designed and executed by Tony Ferrieri. The hallway in the center showcases this, being only a few paces deep, but giving the effect of a long and narrow hospital corridor." Read more here.

Midwest

4. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko reviews MARIE ANTOINETTE at Dobama. He says, "Dobama's production of MARIE ANTOINETTE, under the focused direction of Nathan Motta, is often compelling. Using fascinating projections designed by Mike Tuta and executed by Jeremy Dobbins, impressive lighting effects conceived by Marcus Dana, and appropriate musical highlights and interludes selected by Richard Ingraham, there is intense sensory stimulus." Read more here.

5. Minneapolis, MN: Editor Jill Schafer reviews Children's Theatre Company's World Premiere of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE MUSICAL, which is in talks for a potential Broadway run. She says, "...all sense of obligation quickly went out the window as the show won me over with it's clever and musically diverse score, universally relatable story of a kid trying to find himself in middle school, and most of all this incredible cast of mostly Twin Cities youth. Whether you're a kid stuck in the middle (school), or a jaded grown-up, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE MUSICAL is simply irresistible, and I think it's going to go far." Read more here.

South/Southeast

6. Austin, TX: Editor Amy Bradley reviews DEAD MAN WALKING at the Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Theater. She says, "Actress Ally Oliphint, was the highlight and stand out performance through this grim story. One heartfelt highlight was when she sang a hymn to Poncelot minutes before his execution. Sniffles could be heard from her sweet rendition of a song encouraging bravery. Her light, genuine curiosity, and "conviction", invites the audience to relate to her excellently communicated internal struggle, coinciding with the idea of standing up for what's right." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews Crown City Theatre's revival of THE FANTASTICKS. He says, "The cast work very well together. Hansen is strong, dashing and wonderfully sly and mischievous as El Gallo. Gabrielle as Luisa adds sweetness and lust for adventure to her character, as well as a lovely lilting soprano voice. Marchak as Matt should be slightly less exuberant, letting his masculine urges come from the inside." Read more here.

8. Phoenix, AZ: Editor Herbert Paine reviews THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Hale Centre Theatre. He says, "Pansing's performance is not enough to elevate the production to its required altitude. Certainly, the story and the script have gravitas enough to stir an audience's emotions. But, where this staging falls short is in the chemistry and energy or lack thereof among the cast." Read more here.

International

9. Sydney, Australia: The full lineup is announced for the 16th annual Helpmann Awards at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on Monday July 25. Performers include MATILDA, SOUND OF MUSIC, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and more! Check out the full schedule here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Chicago Editor Patrick O'Brien reviews BULLETS OVER BROADWAY at the Private BankTheatre in Chicago. He says, "...in choosing his one collaborator, Allen chose the Queen of Good Ol' Fashioned Musical Comedy, Susan Stroman. (Her direction and choreography are recreated here by Jeff Whiting and Clare Cook, respectively.) She really knows how to dress a stage in flappers, showgirls, and gangsters, and the physical energy never flags. She has a knack for props and tricks, such as the bouncing furniture in "Let's Misbehave." And she knows tap. And how. Cheech and the gangsters' "Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do" is the undisputed highlight of the production." Read more here.

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

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This week, we welcome several new student bloggers, including: Kaci Pelias - Texas high school blogger, Emma Van DeVelde - North Carolina college blogger, Lily Erb - Long Island high school blogger, Jessica Gould - New Albany, Ohio high school blogger, Clarissa Moon - Orlando high school blogger, Paisley Haddad - Boston high school blogger, Emma Mueller - New Jersey high school blogger, and Jessica Walker - Maine high school blogger. We'd also like to welcome Casey Hebbel who will be blogging about her experiences this summer at Transcendence Theatre's 'Broadway Under the Stars', and Marcus Munoz, our newest contributor in Mexico.

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