Onstage NTX Reviewers’ “Bests & Faves” of Area Theater in 2024 (Part 1)
—coordinated by Jan Farrington, Managing Editor
Still waiting for the revival of the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum (ahem). I’m stubborn that way. But in the meantime, I asked our Onstage NTX reviewers to come up with their own individual lists. Each is different, but they all recognize and honor the incredible diversities of North Texas theater companies, actors, and creatives.
We will print them today and tomorrow, because there’s a lot to say. This was, as the Brits would say, a brilliant year!
Here’s my favorite list so far, from the legendary Martha Heimberg:
MARTHA: “Of the 36 shows I saw in 2024, here are five that stand out. Hard to pick, actually—and in no particular order:”
Lyric Stage, The Producers: I think BJ Cleveland is better than Nathan Lane at this kind of fast-firing satire! Also great direction by Brandon Mason in Moody’s big hall .
Stage West, Marjorie Prime: Parker Gray is the dearest AI-generated robot ever, and Cindee Mayfield is funny and touching as an old woman grieving for her husband and living with her daughter. Great direction by Sasha Maya Ada of a play in the round. It can be done!
Dallas Theater Center’s production (a world premiere with the Actors Theatre of Louisivlle) of I Am Deliver’ed’T’: Jonathan Norton writes hilarious, in-charge church ladies arguing and gossiping—about being queer, how to usher, and more. Liz Mikel is all over this one as the bossiest of the bossy.
Uptown Players’ The Boys in the Band: Dennis Canrip’s acid direction made me laugh and wince. Gay or not, this show reveals the ugly self-loathing, fear and meanness that comes from persecution and hypocrisy.
Undermain Theatre’s Exit the King: Ionesco rocks Absurdism! Tim Johnson directs fast and physically. Bruce DuBose fell so hard so many times, I was relieved for the vain 400-year-old king when he finally crumbled and died. Terrific ensemble work. Bruce and Rhonda Boutté hilarious and terrifying to me because I’m old, and so is everybody running our country! Ruth Ginsberg shoulda seen this, btw.
Peter Pan the Musical (national tour presented by Broadway Dallas) may be the best touring production I saw. Loved all the flying and dancing and singing in Neverland.
And special-mention kudos to Kitchen Dog Theater for successfully producing plays at a gym and a bookstore, among other venues. They made a problem into an asset as they await their fabulous new home.
And did I say each of the reviewers created their own format and style? Our new contributor Carol M. Rice kept it short, sweet, and very specific—recognizing both individual shows and performers—with a focus on some of the area’s small-to-mid-size companies that are sometimes overlooked by awards committees! And she wrote it on the fly, while “in tech” for Rover Dramawerks’ upcoming The Shakespeare Conspiracy:
Here’s Carol’s “best & faves” list:
Best Plays:
Hamlet - Auriga Productions
Lieutenant of Inishmore - Lakeside Community Theatre
The Pillowman - Outcry Theatre
Best Musicals:
Khan!! The Musical - MusicalWriters.com
Shucked - Broadway Dallas
Escape to Margaritaville - Firehouse Theatre
Best Performers in a Play:
Patrick Britton - Lieutenant of Inishmore - Lakeside Community Theatre
Zachary Carajal - Lost in Yonkers - Richardson Theatre Centre
Brandon Whitlock - Hamlet - Auriga Productions
Connor McMurray - The Pillowman - Outcry Theatre
Best Performers in a Musical:
Joshua Sherman - Khan!! The Musical - MusicalWriters.com
Thomas Schnaible - Elf - CenterStage TheatreWorks
Gideon Ethridge - Escape to Margaritaville - Firehouse Theatre
Laila Jalil - Escape to Margaritaville - Firehouse Theatre
MORE LISTS TOMORROW! Happy New Year, JF
