Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 1/8; OLIVER! in Cape Cod, DANGEROUS DREAMS TOUR in DC and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Boston, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include OLIVER! at Cape Cod, DANGEROUS DREAMS TOUR in DC, and highlights of LA's NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2016, just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Boston, MA: Editor Kristen Morale reviews OLIVER! at Cape Cod Theatre Company. She says, "Formerly the Harwich Junior Theater, CCTC may have changed its name but it has hardly lost its niche for bringing the Cape Cod community productions of the utmost quality, and its most recent production of Oliver! has done much more than provide a wonderfully entertaining time for children and adults alike: it has proven that the magnificence and professionalism with which CCTC instills its shows will remain an unchanged beauty in all the group's productions for years and years to come. If you were among the many fortunate enough to see Oliver! this past month, than you have witnessed only a smidgen of why what CCTC is all about, and why it is a wonderful place in which to behold what magic a memorable performance can bring." Read more here.

2. New Jersey: Editor Marina Kennedy interviews Playwright Tony Glazer of SUBSTANCE OF BLISS at NJ Rep. On the question "Tell us a little about your inspiration for "Substance of Bliss," Glazer responds, "Years ago (I don't think I've ever told this story) when I was about 14, I snuck out of the house at night with a friend and just ran around the neighborhood, met up with some other friends, met a girl (ultimately got in an argument with her) - nothing illicit: just an unsanctioned night out. I was not very sophisticated about the whole ruse, though. I made a "person" out of pillows in my bed just in case, in the middle of the night, my Mom popped her head in to check on me (which looked amazingly convincing in the dark of night.) Of course, in the light of day it looked absolutely ridiculous and my Mom figured it out pretty quickly. When I finally wandered in, late morning, I found out that my parents had spent the entire morning cleaning all the window screens in our house while they were waiting for me to return. They did it just to get their minds off where I might have been, to occupy their time instead of panicking. That one act of theirs always stayed with me. In some ways, it's not only the inspiration for Substance of Bliss but also an apology of sorts." Read the full interview here.

3. Washington, DC: Editor Andrew White reviews DANGEROUS DREAMS TOUR from American Shakespeare Center. He Says, "That Shakespeare intended his actors to work in full light, and to work the audience as they pleased, is a given; ASC has proven that this not only works, it's probably the best way to appreciate the Bard's genius. What's wonderful here is to realize that Wilde's immortal wit works even better in this open-air setting, with audiences drawn into those great one-liners (and, on occasion, made the butt of the character's jokes)." Read more here.

4. Rhode Island: Editors Robert Barossi, Veronica Bruscini, Larry O'Brien and Andria Tieman come together and announce their picks for top theatre in 2015 in Rhode Island. Favorites include GYPSY (Ocean State Theatre Company), THE LITTLE MERMAID (Theatre by the Sea), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (The Gamm) and more. Check out the full list here.

Midwest

5. Chicago, IL: Editor Paul Thompson announces his resignation from BroadwayWorld and hands the reigns over to longtime Editor Misha Davenport. Thompson says, ""I have loved every minute of my work with BroadwayWorld," Thompson said. "The possibilities of work in Chicago as a theater journalist and theater professional seem endless, and capturing that activity, that excitement, has been a challenge and a joy for the last eight years. Going forward, I know that Misha Davenport is the perfect person to take on this responsibility and privilege." Read more here.

South/Southeast

6. Houston, TX: Editor Katricia Lang interviews Playwright Brendan Bourque-Sheil on THE BOOK OF MAGGIE, which is set to premiere at Stages Rep. On the question, "...What was the inception of the THE BOOK OF MAGGIE?", Brendan says, "I have this quibble with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (which, of course, is a brilliant film that's better than anything I'll ever write, but still). George Bailey spends the movie figuring out that even though his life isn't quite what he planned on, it's still wonderful and absolutely worth living.... But what if your life isn't wonderful? What if your life's a loveless shit-show that's unlikely to get better? What if the world may actually be better off without you? Can you still find a reason to live then? That's the premise I started off with. Religion quickly got into the mix, just because it's something I think about a lot. And I've always had a deconstructionist tendency to examine stories from the point of view of side characters, so Judas, Pilate and Peter felt like logical choices to people the play." Read the full interview here.

7. Nashville, TN: Editor Jeffrey Ellis spotlights Midwinter's First Night, which "will feature the presentation of the Broadway World Nashville awards for the 2014-15 season, as well as the announcement of First Night's Top Ten of 2016, critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual recognition of the best of the best of Nashville area theater presentations and performances." Read more about the event here.

West

8. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Don Grigware reviews LA'S NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR 2016 presented by PRINCESS CRUISES. He says, "This year the 6-week competition is dedicated to American composer Jerry Herman, and his rollicking "It's Today" from Mame, involving all 20 participants, served as the opener. It was beautifully choreographed and staged by Lee Martino. Brilliant pianist James Lent once again serves as musical director through February 8, Peter Welkin as associate producer and of course, the man of the evening executive producer Michael Sterling, who founded the contest 10 years ago, serves as congenial master of ceremonies for each of the 6 presentations. Barbara Van Orden serves as co-executive producer." Read more here.

International

9. Sydney, Australia: Editor Jade Kops reviews LA BOHÈME at the Sydney Opera House. She says, "With bold, commanding presence and vocals, Lorina Gore returns as the hot headed singer Musetta ensuring the passionate chemistry between the singer and the painter is retained. Musetta's excess and flash is contrasted with Mimì's simplicity and innocence, presented by Natalie Aroyan for the January season with Maija Kovalevska scheduled to return for the March season. Aroyan's pure vocals ensures that Mimì retains the innocence of the seamstress that finds joy in making fake flowers and still loves Rodolfo despite their falling out." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Editor Matt Tamanini reviews THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tour at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando. He says, "While Maria is undoubtedly at the center of the show's plot, Captain von Trapp is at the center of its emotional heart. Both as the stern disciplinarian and as the doting father, Ben Davis is an immensely charismatic figure. The moment when his children's singing melts the Captain's still grieving heart is incredibly touching. If you bring tissues, try to keep your eyes on him throughout this scene." Read more here.

*BONUS* - Voting is now CLOSED for the BroadwayWorld Regional Awards, and results are beginning to roll out. Stay tuned for the winners to be announced in your area soon! Good luck to all!

Want to join our growing team? We have positions available in several U.S. regions and International countries! Contact christina@broadwayworld.com for more information!