The best theater of 2012: Reviewer’s choices

Written by Joanne Greco Rochman
Friday, 04 January 2013 11:49

This time each year, it’s always good to review the best theater productions of the year. In doing so, we discover what sets one production apart from the others and what theaters are consistently providing outstanding theater. The following list has been compiled on the experienced-based opinion of this reviewer. 

Most of these productions rated five stars, with a few rated 4 and 4.5 stars.  I hope regular theatergoers will find their favorite shows on this list. Please note the list includes only professional Equity productions and Equity road shows presented during the 2012 calendar year and does not include community theater productions or professional road shows. 

1. “Jersey Boys.” Shubert, New Haven — This musical is still one of the all-time favorites and played at the Shubert in 2012. While the Shubert doesn’t usually have long runs, this show ran long enough to pack the house at each performance. Still a winner, it tops the list of the best 10 productions in 2012.

2. “Asher Lev” — Long Wharf, New Haven — This production was a big winner and focused on “the collision of art and religion as a young Jewish artist named Asher Lev was born with a great gift and whose father was a deeply religious Hasidic Jew and a prominent world leader in the Jewish religion.” 

3. “Bell, Book & Candle” — Long Wharf, New Haven — “Witchcraft never looked as romantic as it did on Long Wharf’s stage when magic happened as soon as Kate MacCluggage stepped onto the fire engine red, ceiling-to-floor carpeting at Long Wharf.” 

4. “Carousel” — Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam. “This production was a merry go ’round as distinct as it was alluring, and heartfelt. It featured superior and memorable vocals.” 

5. “Centennial Casting” — Seven Angels, Waterbury — A hilarious, laugh-a-minute comedy, this production featured the owner of a metal casting company who finds true love when an actress applies for an audition thinking that the casting company is a theatrical company.

6. “Vignettes of an I-talian American Girl” — Seven Angels, Waterbury — “Stunning in its accuracy and honesty, this one-woman show captures the experience of a first generation American girl coming of age in an Italian Catholic family. The traditions of the old world collide with a new American culture and sparks fly.” 

7. “Teddy & Alice” — Seven Angels, Waterbury — “One of those stirring musicals that grabs hold of you until you wish you had a flag in your hand to wave high during the standing ovation: here’s a play about President Theodore Roosevelt who not only had his hands full with world problems, but whose rebellious daughter Alice was more than a handful.” 

8. “The Last Romance” — Seven Angels, Waterbury — “This is a beautifully realistic and charming play about an elderly man and woman who fall in love.” Also featured are arias from great operas. 

9. “The Realistic Joneses” — Yale, New Haven — “Two couples have the same last name: Jones. They also have the same type of home; live next door to each other; and have a similar reason for moving into the same neighborhood. Communication is strange, but works in this cutting edge production.”

10. “Memphis” — The Bushnell, Hartford — With this musical and “you will be transported to a stage filled with fabulous voices, great dancers, and colorful costumes.”

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