Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 9/23; FOLLIES in St. Louis, LAST SHIP in Salt Lake, PUMP BOYS in Seattle, HUNCHBACK in LA!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Seattle and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include FOLLIES in St. Louis, THE LAST SHIP in Salt Lake City, and PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES in Seattle, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. New Jersey: Editor Marina Kennedy reviews Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM at TRT. She says, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom features a brilliant cast that brings this captivating story about talent, aspirations, and race relations to life with both humor and drama. They master the quick, clever dialogue and intriguing characters." Read more here.

Midwest

2. St. Louis, MO: Editor Chris Gibson reviews FOLLIES at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. He says, "The cast is really exceptional right down the line. And, Sondheim gives each supporting person(s) a chance to shine, in addition to individual pieces for the leads that highlight the climax of the second act. Christiane Noll is wonderful as Sally Durant Plummer, still deeply smitten with Benjamin Stone, but barely married to Buddy Plummer, who works as a traveling salesman. Adam Heller makes a nice impression as Buddy, likable, but away from home enough to leave behind a void. Emily Skinner is perfect as the icy socialite Phyllis Rogers Stone, still friendly with Sally, but watching her marriage fail to Ben, who's well played by Bradley Dean." Read more here.

3. Chicago, IL: Editor Misha Davenport reviews Goodman Theatre's WONDERFUL TOWN. He says, "Big sister Ruth (Bri Sudia) is indeed big in every way: broad shoulders, voice and spirit. She dreams of being a great fiction writer (after making her name as a journalist, natch). Sudia's performance of "One Hundred Easy Ways (to lose a man)" is a show-stopping, star turn. She finds the perfect balance between comedy and contempt with just the right amount of hidden heart ache in this feminist lament that has become a cabaret standard thanks to its witty and spot-on lyrics. The scene manages to elevate things above the light, comedic tone of the work for just the right amount of time, creating a poignant moment of universal truth." Read more here.

South/Southeast

4. Atlanta, GA: Editor Courtnee Miles reviews ALLIANCE THEATRE's THE PROM. She says, "Directed by and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, The Prom is true to the culture of the Alliance Theatre. It steps outside of the box with amazing talent and an incredible story line. There was never a dull moment." Read more here.

West Coast

5. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at La Mirada. He says, "Deaf actor John McGinty plays the role of Quasimodo, as it was originally written for a deaf/mute actor. If you remember, Charles Laughton, who played the part in the 1939 film and was known for his exquisite speaking voice, was completely silent. At La Mirada under Glenn Casale's superior direction we are exceedingly lucky to have Broadway's strong character actor Mark Jacoby as Frollo and beautiful Cassie Simone as the enchanting gypsy temptress Esmeralda." Read more here.

6. Salt Lake City, UT: Editor Blair Howell reviews THE LAST SHIP at Pioneer Theatre Company. He says, "...Pioneer Theatre Company opens its new season with the regional premiere of a recent major Broadway show. And it's a major achievement for the company, another spotlight on PTC's excellence... The production and performances of THE LAST SHIP are truly magnificent. It's a true joy to be swept away with a new musical and become emotional engaged through the score by the multiple Grammy-winning composer, Sting." Read more here.

7. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES and Village Theatre. He says, "I could go on and on about each number that surpassed the one before it but we'd be here all day so I'll call out one specific number where each performer stole the show. There was Kreis' "Serve Yourself" which not only showed off his incredible voice and piano skills but also managed a delicious reluctant seduction to the song. Carter not only acts as an adorably engaging emcee of sorts but also brought forth all the tears with his lovely rendition of "Mamaw". And Feldman turned in a super sexy rendition of "Mona". And then there were the ladies who could not possibly have been better. Porkalob with her delectably sassy and raw "Be Good or Be Gone" showed off her stunning vocal chops. And Davidson's rendition of "The Best Man" practically stole my heart as when she opened her mouth I thought I heard angels singing." Read more here.

8. Portland, OR: Editor Krista Garver reviews LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Portland Center Stage. She says, "Both Gina Milo and Nick Cearley do a great job of paying tribute to the version we all know while also making the roles of Audrey and Seymour their own. I also very much enjoyed Jamison Stern, particularly in all of the roles he played that weren't the dentist, as well as Johari Nandi Mackey, Alexis Tidwell, and Ebony Blake as the snarky girl group/Greek chorus that keeps watch over everything." Read more here.

International

9. Israel: Editor Ronit Suzan reviews GUYS AND DOLLS at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center. She says, "As almost the entire West End cast went on this tour it's clear to see the production's terrific casting, initially indicated by the impressive fact that all the actors performed with a fluent American accent and some even added a bit of New York accent successfully." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Central New York Editor Natasha Ashley reviews the new tour of JERSEY BOYS in Syracuse. She says, "The star of the show, of course, is AaRon De Jesus portraying none other than Frankie Valli. Just like Valli, he may be short in stature, but his vocals shine sky high. His powerful falsetto soars on familiar tunes like "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "My Mother's Eyes," "Sherry," and "Rag Doll," just to name a few. However, De Jesus' true shining moment comes on the number "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." He truly captures Frankie Valli's growth as a singer, his loyalty to family, and pure raw talent." Read more here.

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