Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 8/5; Ogunquit's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, FOOTLOOSE in Cleveland and More!

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Boston, St. Louis, Los Angeles and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Ogunquit, FOOTLOOSE in Cleveland, and HELLO, DOLLY! in L.A., just to name a few.

East/Northeast

1. Boston, MA: Editor Jan Nargi reviews Ogunquit's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. She says, "Its current musical, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, is the company's most ambitious venture yet. Adapted from the 1996 Disney animated film which was based on the classic Victor Hugo novel "Notre Dame de Paris," the Ogunquit production boasts a towering vaulted set design, a 21-member cast of Broadway veterans, and a tremendous 32-member choir. This HUNCHBACK delivers soaring vocals as big as its epic themes." Read more here.

2. Washington, DC: Editor Jennifer Perry reviews THE TRUMP CARD at Wolly Mammoth. She says, "One of the best decisions Mr. Daisey made is to use his Trump dinner party as a framing device to tell the unbelievable yet exceedingly true story. It gives the monologue context, and makes it far less unwieldy than it would be otherwise. While the other details of the story and Daisey's charismatic performance will not be spoiled here - mostly because, they are so scary and hilarious that they need to be experienced first-hand - suffice it to say, it more than demonstrates why Daisey is one of the best storytellers in the country." Read more here.

Midwest

3. Minneapolis, MN: Editor Jill Schafer reviews MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Old Log Theatre. She says, "The show is really well cast with actor/singer/musicians, but the standout performance is Eric Morris as Jerry Lee Lewis. I've always found Eric to have great energy on stage, but never put to better use than as Jerry Lee, the only member of the quartet still living and a man so charismatic, he convinced seven women to marry him (including his 13-year-old cousin, but that was after the events of this night so let's not dwell on it). Pounding on the keyboard with his hands, feet, and other body parts, kicking the bench out of the way, performing some impressive hairography, and even climbing on top of the piano, Eric's performance is the fire that fuels this high energy show." Read more here.

4. Cleveland, OH: Editor Roy Berko reviews FOOTLOOSE at Porthouse. He says, "The Porthouse production, under the joyful direction of personable Terri Kent, delights the audience. She knows her crowd and she gives them all they want...a hokey story with a nice moral, dynamic dancing (thanks to the creativity of choreographer MaryAnn Black), swing musical sounds (created by the talented orchestra lead by Jonathan Swoboda), nice vocalizations, an ever-moving and captivating set (bows to Nolan O'Dell), appropriate costumes, including 1980s formal clothes that are a visual hoot, created by costume designer Anne Medlock, and some nice lighting effects by Yu (Leo) Lei." Read more here.

5. St. Louis, MO: Editor Chris Gibson reviews THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Stages St. Louis. He says, "You say that you're feeling a little blue, or maybe just experiencing some "non-specific" sadness? Then a sure cure for your condition can be found by attending STAGES St. Louis' scintillating presentation of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. This is an incredible and uproariously funny show that pokes gentle fun at the very core of musical theatre conventions. Everything is fair game inBob Martin and Don McKellar's witty script, which even manages to lampoon opening blackouts and intermissions. This revival is a much welcomed and thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard!" Read more here.

South/Southeast

6. Austin, TX: Editor Frank Benge reviews THE ADDAMS FAMILY at the Long Center by Summer Stock Austin. He says, "Dustin L. Struhall has done a great job with the musical direction and delivers a big Broadway sound from this young cast. Rachael Vandenberg's costumes are a delight, especially the white costumes for the ghostly Ancestors. The costumes call up images of Lizzie Borden and other famous malevolent figures from history. Theada Bellenger's set is simple and economically effective and Scott Vandenberg's lighting is just right for the proceedings with some lovely gobo work." Read more here.

West Coast

7. Los Angeles, CA: Editor Stacey Davies reviews HELLO, DOLLY! at Plummer Auditorium. She says, "Going up against the public's memory of Carol Channing, Pearl Baileyand La Streisand (and before that, Broadway's first Dolly, Tony-award nominee Ruth Gordon), can be a stiff bill to fill. Director Ken Sawyer cemented his show's success when he cast Valerie Perri as the wily matchmaker, however, and backed her up with a host of exceptional players...Perri, who burst onto the stage in Broadway's Evita, shines as Dolly, her voice crisp and broad, carrying the Jerry Herman award-winning score like a deftly-gifted songbird. Her comedic timing is on point, and Perri moves across the stage in complete command." Read more here.

8. Seattle, WA: Editor Jay Irwin reviews BLUES FOR MISTER CHARLIE from The Williams Project. He says, "And then there's this stellar ensemble filled with incredible performances. Thurston never once portrays the "villain" of the piece but simply and honestly as a man with certain points of view. French is equally strong with tons of conviction portraying a black man not willing to put up with outdated attitudes. Jude Sandy delivers some stunning moments both as the victim's father Rev. Henry as well as saloon owner Papa D. Rebecca Gibel is superb as a woman in denial coming to grips with who her husband is and what he's done." Read more here.

International

9. India: New Editor Sayanvati Raysak reviews ALIPHA at Nandikar. She says, "The Man is the middle-aged misguided son of a powerful political leader. He grew up in luxury. His primary addictions are alcohol, women and power. Much of his life has been controlled by the selfish motives of his father and the son has engaged time and again, in exploitation and cruelty." Read more here.

National Tour Highlight:

10. Minneapolis Editor Kristen Hirsch Montag spotlights THE LION KING's Frank Wright II on the sensory-friendly performance of July 30th in a video interview. Check it out here.

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

*BONUS* - Interested in joining our team, but not exactly sure what we do? All of your questions are answered, along with every open position from guest and student bloggers, Regional Editors, BWW sites and more! Check it out here!

This week, we'd like to welcome Amy Oestreicher and Troy Frisby who will be joining the cabaret team in NYC, Nolan Boggess in Des Moines, Anthony Hazzard in Long Island, Michael Lipp and Trevor Durham in Jacksonville, Sayan Basak in India, and Ronit Suzan in Israel.