THE BEST THEATRE OF 2007
1. HAIR (Shakespeare in the Park)
The best production of 2007 was not reviewed by a single theater critic. Why? It was a three-day concert version. But damn! This was extraordinarily good. And hopefully the Public will produce it as a full production this summer in the park.
2. GYPSY (City Center)
Patti Lupone’s performance as Rose in Arthur Laurents’ pitch-perfect revival at City Center was last summer’s theatrical highlight. And it ain’t over yet. The show moves to Broadway’s St. James Theatre in March.
3. SPEECH & DEBATE (Roundabout Underground)
The year’s best Off-Broadway play is about three teens at a Midwest high school. The show runs at Roundabout Underground through March.
4. GREASE
Not many critics liked Max and Laura – but we did. And think Kathleen Marshall’s revival is pretty darn great. Yay Rydell High! Go greased lightening!
5. FROST/NIXON
Seriously, how awesome was Frank Langella?
6. XANADU
No one thought that a stage musical based on 1980’s biggest flop movie would work. But this intimate piece of kitsch is unthinkably fun.
7. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Here comes the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner. In the tradition of Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams, Tracy Letts’ play fits in neatly with other classic American domestic dramas. Don’t miss it.
8. CYMBELINE (Lincoln Center)
What is probably Shakespeare’s most confusing play is currently received a top-rate production at Lincoln Center with an incredible ensemble in unbelievable costume design.
9. THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION
Okay. Historical liberties aside, Aaron Sorkin’s play about the patent race on television is both inspiring and compelling.
10. CORAM BOY
Stunning theatricality abounded in this Dickensian melodrama involving a 20-piece chorus.
THE WORST THEATRE OF 2007
1. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
What a total letdown! There was truly no point in making this into a musical.
2. THE PIRATE QUEEN
There is always one truly horrendous musical every year. You can bet no one will ever wake “Pirate Queen” from the grave.
3. WALMARTOPIA (Minetta Lane Theatre)
The real surprise is not that the show closes next week, but that it didn’t shut down four months ago. Was this futuristic satire about Walmart taking over the world supposed to be funny or scary? Who knows.
4. THE MISANTHROPE (New York Theatre Workshop)
Avant-Gardists Ruin Classic Play, Part One
5. THE WOOSTER GROUP'S HAMLET (Public Theater)
Avant-Gardists Ruin Classic Play, Part Two
6. LEGALLY BLONDE
“Oh my god. Oh my god, you guys…” This might be the most ANNOYING show of all time.
7. DEUCE
It was painful to watch Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes sink in Terrence McNally’s extremely lame play.
8. THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING
This was not drama, but rather Vanessa Redgrave boring everyone to death.
9. WINTUK (Madison Square Garden)
Cirque du Soleil, in its attempt to compete in the Christmastime entertainment market, ignored its traditional wizardry for generic soullessness.
10. FRANKENSTEIN (37 Arts)
As if “Young Frankenstein” wasn’t painful enough. At least this one bit the dust quickly…
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Financial and Popular Success of “Spring Awakening” – Last December, all the critics threw their accolades. But it took a year for this truly special musical to make itself heard elsewhere. And now it’s the hit it deserves to be.
Lots of plays produced commercially on Broadway – Farnsworth, Osage, Ain’t He Dead, Seafarer, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Cyrano, The Homecoming, November. Not bad…. Let’s keep it up!
Ian McKellan in King Lear and The Seagull at BAM.
Boyd Gaines in Journey's End, Gypsy and Pygmalion
Fantasia in “The Color Purple” – Damn! Not since Reba in “Annie Get Your Gun” did a casting replacement actually serve to save the entire show.
The Encores 2007 Season – No just “Gypsy,” but also their fantastic stagings of “Follies,” “Face the Music” and “Stairway to Pradise.”
Musicals in Mufti – the York’s series has become increasingly essential. Their best work this year included “The Day Before Spring,” “The Baker’s Wife” and “Enter Laughing.”
Scott Siegel's Broadway By the Year series - In addition to the four excellent BBTY concerts, a big bravo to Scott for expanding the series into the Summer Broadway Festival, Broadway Cabaret Festival, and Broadway Unplugged.
Papermill Playhouse – After a financial scare last March, the NJ institution appears to be in good standing.
Audra McDonald in “110 in the Shade” – Hopefully she won’t stay away too long from Broadway again.
Donna Murphy in "LoveMusik" and "Follies" - Her too...
Intimate Exchanges – This eight-play marathon truly defined the unique theatrical experience.
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Stagehand Strike – and everything about it. We blame BOTH SIDES.