10 Best Theatrical Productions of 2018

This year's list of my favorite theater productions only includes productions viewed in NY, with Off-Broadway shows dominating the list.  Three musicals made the list, but all were revivals.  Mirroring last year, new plays nabbed 4 spots, and play revivals took 3.

Two shows that I saw again in 2018 would have made this list, but for the fact that I saw them in London last year and they made the top of last year's list, were the National Theatre production of  "Angels In America' and the Royal Court's production "The Ferryman."

In order of preference, my 10 favorite theatrical productions of 2018 are:

1.  OKLAHOMA [St. Ann's Warehouse]
      A radical new look at this classic that made it feel fresh, urgent & necessary.

2.  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF [National Yiddish theatre Folksbiene]
     Delivered in Yiddish with subtitles, this production mined emotions I never knew were in the show.

3.  THREE TALL WOMEN [Broadway]
      Glenda Jackson's force of nature performance anchored this beautifully rendered revival.

4.  HANGMAN [Atlantic Theater]
      Another perfectly delivered rollercoaster ride from Martin McDonagh

5.  MY FAIR LADY [Broadway/ Lincoln Center]
      A smartly tweaked revival making the show work in our #metoo era.

6.  THE WAVERLY GALLERY [Broadway]
     Elaine May's stunning performance is one I will never forget.

7.  LEWISTON/CLARKSTON [Rattlestick Playwrights Theater]
     Samuel D. Hunter's beautifully written works given a low key, powerful production.

8.  DANCE NATION [Playwrights Horizons]
     A timely & necessary exploration of what is is like to be a young woman.

9.  PARADISE BLUE [Signature Theatre]
     A perfect cast and elegant production complimented Dominique Morisseau's fine play.

10. MARY PAGE MARLOWE [Second Stage]
      A uniquely portrayed life of an ordinary woman illuminated universal themes of modern living.

Honorable Mentions: THE DAMNED [Armory]; LOBBY HERO [Broadway]; LIFESPAN OF A FACT [Broadway]; STRAIGHT WHITE MALES [Broadway/ Second Stage]

Best Performances of the Year: ELAINE MAY in THE WAVERLY GALLERY;  GLENDA JACKSON  in THREE TALL WOMEN;  LAUREN AMBROSE in MY FAIR LADY; JOHNNY FLYNN in HANGMAN; DANIEL RADCLIFF in LIFESPAN OF A FACT and BRIAN TYREE HENRY in LOBBY HERO

Guilty Pleasure of 2018:  THE PROM [Broadway]