BWW Blog: Durham Performing Arts Center's 2015-16 Season Recap

Since the 2015-16 Season at the Durham Performing Arts Center has wrapped up, I decided to give you guys a little recap. While there were several different offerings that range from overhyped (A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder) to thought-provoking, yet a little divisive (Cabaret) to entertaining (42nd Street) to compelling (If/Then), these are some of my top picks of the season.

Honorable Mentions

The Book of Mormon-The musical itself, created by South Park's Trey Parker & Matt Stone along with Avenue Q's Robert Lopez not only offers up some outrageous musical comedy, but also a very heartfelt show filled with tons of pop culture references. This is what I like to call a great musical comedy because The Book of Mormon truly is something incredible! Read My Full Review Here!

The Lion King-It's right from the opening number led by Mukelisiwe Goba who brings perfection to the smart and wise baboon Rafiki with an entire African safari coming onto the stage right out of the audience for The Circle of Life, you know you're in for something that is beyond special. I could literally go on forever talking about The Lion King because it really is one of the great wonders of the world that deserves to be seen live and in person! Read My Full Review Here!

Now onto my top 4 highlights of the 2015-16 season. They are...

1. Matilda-As someone who read the original novel a few years ago, I think Tony-Winning playwright Dennis Kelly wrote such a brilliant adaptation aided with a terrific score by Tim Minchin. This show literally has everything! With humor, emotion, wonder, imagination, heart, and a great message, audiences of all ages should feel captivated from beginning to end! Read My Full Review Here!

2. The Sound of Music-With the luxury of some amazing vocals from beginning to end, The Sound of Music still holds up very well as it has for the past 56 years! It's impossible to not have a heart for this production! Read My Full Review Here!

3. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical-Douglas McGrath's Tony nominated book guides us through the course of 13 years as Carole King goes through a difficult relationship with husband (and writing partner) Gerry Goffin and competition with fellow songwriting team (and friends) Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. No matter what demographic you are, this show is for everyone with a heart. Anyone who sees it should have the time of their lives! Read My Full Review Here!

4. The Illusionists-In a season where 'Broadway Doesn't Get Any Bigger Than This' at Durham Performing Arts Center, we usually get full-fledged musical productions. This time, we get something else from Broadway. You'll probably never get another chance to witness anything like this on the face of the Earth, because these illusionists really have some magic to do just for you! Read My Full Review Here!

Congratulations to the Durham Performing Arts Center on another great season, and I am looking forward to the next one!