It is always difficult to list my favorite theater experiences. i saw 68 productions and I’m always afraid I will leave out something or someone who brought me joy. I appreciate being a part of the DFW theater community so much and would like to celebrate all of you. Here’s to more great theater in 2024!
My Unforgettable Theater Experiences of 2023
January
Cabaret - Arts Mission Oak Cliff gave the classic gritty immediacy in a sexy, submersive production.
Sunday in the Park with George - Outcry Theatre made Sondheim soar with a cast of talented teens.
Ada and the Engine - MainStage Irving-Las Colinas first rate production of the Lauren Gunderson play about the “Mother of Computer Science” Ada Byron Lovelace
February
Spamalot - The Firehouse Theatre’s fun and fresh romp with those terrifying killer rabbits.
Romeo and Juliet - The Plague Mask Players gave the bard a twist with AARP star-crossed lovers.
Aida - Lyric Stage wowed me with this one with the incredible Rachel Nicole Poole in the title role.
Man Cave - Kitchen Dog delivered the chills along with the social commentary in John J. Caswell, Jr.’s provocative thriller.
Gypsy - Theatre Arlington entertained us with a cast made in musical theater heaven.
March
Silver Foxes - Uptown Players honest, funny, and moving look at the problems of aging gay males.
Guys and Dolls - Moondance Theatre made my first time seeing this show a thrill with the marvelous Christian Black as Sky Masterson and the equally marvelous Christine Hand Jones as Sarah Brown.
The Sponge Bob Musical - GPAC made this a most excellent trip to Bikini Bottom.
Disaster - Runway Theatre’s hilarious dream of a cast sends up of those 70’s disaster films.
Evita - NTPA had me crying for Argentina. (tears of joy)
April
Hello, Dolly! - The Firehouse Theatre let everyone know that the Queen of the Harmonia Gardens is the incomparable Stacia Goad-Malone.
Into the Woods - DTC’s first ever Sondheim was…enchanting.
May
Saturday Night Fever - The Firehouse Theatre turns a Broadway clunker into a disco delight.
June
I and You - Echo Theatre’s brilliant production of Lauren Gunderson’s play was an unexpected treat.
Next to Normal - Theatre Three gave this musical a searingly powerful staging with a stellar cast.
Lobby Hero - Rover Dramawerks made me glad I held out for this Hero.
The Last Flapper - Belle Sauvage presented Catherine D. DuBord in a tour de force solo performance as Zelda Fitzgerald.
Fly by Night - Theatre Arlington caught me completely off guard with this little known musical. I literally had to bite my lip to keep from sobbing…both times.
July
Spring Awakening - The Watering Hole Collective’s initial production staged in an intimate venue gave the musical a visceral quality.
Goin’ Hollywood - The WaterTower Theatre’s world premiere of this time traveling musical love story was given a full-scale production with some of DFW’s finest on the boards.
Newsies - The Firehouse Theatre’s singing, dancing newsboys won me over.
Pippin - Theatre Frisco had “magic to do” and they did it.
August
Let the Right One In - Outcry Theatre’s vampire saga brought chills to a hot summer day and I am still trying to get over the blood effects that Isa Flores engineered.
Tigers Be Still - MainStage Irving-Las Colinas comedic tale of two dysfunctional families was the last production of Bruce Coleman and a tribute to his artistry.
Cinderella - Lyric Stage brought back Aida star Rachel Nicole Poole as Cinderella in this glorious production.
Avenue Q - Theatre Arlington’s bawdy laugh fest with naughty puppets was great fun.
September
The Great American Trailer Park Musical - Lyric Stage’s first production in their new space featured four of DFW’s most spectacular musical divas and an excellent supporting cast.
The Addams Family - The Firehouse Theatre had a big ghoulish hit with this one.
The Rocky Horror Show - DTC’s wildly entertaining trip was an “absolute pleasure.”
October
Lizzie the Musical - Theatre Three’s bloody good show with the phenomenal Presley Duyck as the axe wielding rocker.
Sweeney Todd - Upright Theatre Company’s creepily intimate production brought Sondheim’s murderous duo up close and personal.
Little Shop of Horrors - Lyric Stage’s Little Shop was packed with Big Talent.
Othello - Bishop Arts Theatre Center’s production of Franky Gonzalez’s retelling of Shakespeare’s play featured the amazing Denise Lee in a gender bending take on the tragedy.
November
Chaplin - WaterTower Theatre’s big production featured an unforgettable performance by Max J. Swarner in the title role.
Scrooge in Rouge - Theatre Too at Theatre Three’s English Music Hall style comedy was the most fun I had at the theater this year.
December
Jada Bells - Uptown Players holiday offering written and directed by B. J. Cleveland and starring Lee Walter. One of this season’s best gifts.
Deathtrap - Theatre Three ended the year with this perfectly cast, directed, and staged comic thriller.
