1. ANGELS IN AMERICA (NY/ Signature Theater) ****
2. THE BROTHER/ SISTER PLAYS (Chicago/ Steppenwolf) ****
3. THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (NY/ Broadway) ****
4. FENCES (NY/ Broadway) ****
5. PITMAN PAINTERS (NY/ Broadway) ***1/2
6. RED (NY/Broadway) ***1/2
7. WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING (NY/ Lincoln Center) ***1/2
8. GRACELAND (NY/ Lincoln Center) ***1/2
9. LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE (LA/ Taper)***1/2
10. MERCHANT OF VENICE (NY/ Broadway) ***1/2
Honorable Mention: TIME STANDS STILL (NY/ Broadway); ORPHAN"S HOME CYCLE (NY/ Signature Theater); AMERICAN IDIOT (NY/ Broadway)
Remarkable Returns to Shows First Viewed In Prior Years: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (NY/ Broadway)
Number of shows attended: 88 (up just one from last year's 87)
Top 10 breakdown: 1 new musical, 5 new plays, 4 revivals
2010's Top 10 Acting Performances
1. Cast of Signature Theater's ANGELS IN AMERICA
2. Cast of Steppenwolf Theater's THE BROTHER/ SISTER PLAYS
3. Viola Davis (FENCES)
4. Laura Linney (TIME STANDS STILL)
5. Bernadette Peters (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC)
6. Lily Rabe (MERCHANT OF VENICE)
7. Liev Schreiber (A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE)
8. Chris Pine (LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE)
9. Alfred Molina(RED)
10. Raul Esparza (LEAP OF FAITH)
The Worst in Theater - 2010
One show stands alone - "SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK" aka "The Dark Turn Off," which due to the serious cast injuries to date has been called Broadway's first "snuff musical." The most expensive Broadway production to date is jaw-droppingly abysmal. Really, a disaster of epic propotions. All other poor productions of the year pale in comparison to the failure of this flying turkey. Enough said.
In contrast, enough cannot be said about the sad closing of the year's best (by far) new musical, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. I am deeply concerned about the future of serious and challenging musicals on Broadway after seeing the poor box office performance of this incredibly moving show, notwithstanding the success of last year's NEXT TO NORMAL. I can only hope that my concern will be dispelled in the years to come.
Happy New Year.
