It is always difficult to list my favorite theater experiences. I saw 70 plus 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 2025!
My Unforgettable Theater Experiences of 2024
January
The Producers - Lyric Stage Any year that starts out with BJ Cleveland as Max is on the right track
The 39 Steps - MainStage Irving-Las Colinas What’s more fun than sexy slapstick?
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change - Theatre Three Director Alejandro Saucedo’s updated version was a joy
February
Cabaret - Theatre Arlington The 1966 original. Loved everything about it so much that I saw it three Sundays in a row.
Something Rotten! - The Firehouse Theatre welcomed me to the Renaissance twice.
God of Carnage - Theatre Three Saw the original, liked T3’s more.
I Am Deliverd’t - Dallas Theater Center Jonathan Norton’s touching comedy was medicine for the soul.
The Pillowman - Outcry Theatre Made me uncomfortable in the best possible way
March
Titanic -Repertory Company Theatre Went planning to leave at intermission. Couldn’t possibly compare to original or so I thought. Cried both times.
Follies - Garland Civic Theatre Did Sondheim proud. Had to be sure, so I went twice.
Sweeney Todd -: Lyric Stage Phenomenal Sondheim so well done. Another two timer.
The Taming of the Shrew - Plague Mask Players Shakespeare 50’s style delighted and provoked me.
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin - Jubilee Theatre a musical with so much to say performed impeccably.
April
The Seagull - Theatre Three Never thought Chekov could move me. The scene with Irina wrapping the wounded Constantin’s head is seared in my memory.
Alice by Heart - Lakeside Community Theatre - Went in knowing nothing and came out dazzled by the young, exuberant cast.
Murrow - Bren Rapp/Elevator Project Historical biography at its finest.
May
Broadway Our Way - Uptown Players The annual fundraiser was better than ever.both times
Misery - Theatre Three I may never be able to be around Tina Parker again.
Steel Magnolias - Theatre Arlington New life from a perfect cast
Oleanna - The Classics Theatre Project Enraging. Still think about this one. Extraordinary performances.
Simply The Best - Uptown Players Five sensational singers singing hit after hit. Ecstasy.
June
Chicken and Biscuits - Theatre Arlington A wonderful cast in Douglas Lyons’ comedy with a message.
The Pirates of Penzance - Theatre Three Zany fun
Cats - Repertory Company Theatre If you had told me ten years ago that I would sit through Cats in Plano, Texas twice, I would have had you committed.
July
Disaster! - Allen Contemporary Theatre Laugh filled with disco tunes Pure fun
The Prom - Uptown Players A rousing, spirit lifting play I had to see twice.
The Little Mermaid - Dallas Theater Center Wow staging of the Disney musical
Mary Poppins - WaterTower Theatre Mary flew in and won my heart both visits.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - The Hopeful Theatre Project Inventively staged and full of surprises
She Loves Me - Theatre Frisco The talent in this cast was next level
August
Rent - Lakeside Community Theatre - I alternate between Rent and In the Heights as my favorite musicals. Had to see it twice and would have gone a third.
Visiting Mr. Green - Theatre Arlington Parker Gray and David Coffee in a poignant comedy.
The Boys in the Band - Uptown Players Brilliant staging and acting on an incredible set Yes, I went twice.
Jesus Christ Superstar - NTPA A great surprise. Stunningly staged and a stellar cast. First musical I ever saw twice on consecutive days.
September
Bonnie and Clyde - GPAC - One of the best directed and performed shows of the year.
Always, Patsy Cline -OnStage in Bedford Stephanie Felton and Sherry Etzel brought laughter and tears. Stephanie’s vocals as Patsy were uncanny
October
Lend Me a Chainsaw - Lakeside Community Theatre Bloody good fun
Big Fish - Theatre Arlington OMG. Another two timer. Audience sobbing at the end of this incredibly well acted play. I’d go again in a minute.
Next to Normal - Second Chance Players Friends begged me to see it and I am forever grateful that I went. Another wonderful, unexpected surprise.
Carrie - Theatre Three In a joint venture with SMU, T3’s Carrie made me go to the prom twice.
Little Shop of Horrors - Repertory Company Theatre Audrey II, Seymour, Audrey I, and those urchins rocked Skid Row.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors - Dallas Theater Center Gets my award for most laughs.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - Firehouse Theatre Outstanding voices and directing made this a delight.
Hamlet - The Classics Theatre Project Leave it to Joey Folsom to keep me riveted for three hours.
A Little Night Music - MainStage Irving-Las Colinas Musical theater perfection.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - Allen Contemporary Theatre unbelievably great cast and direction. Had to go twice to hear that dialogue and Robert San Juan’s amazing soliloquy once again.
November
Plaid Tidings - Lyric Stage The ghostly quartet brought retro style that was irresistible. My only two time holiday show.
My Favorite Year - Allen Contemporary Theatre Had never seen this one and ACT came through with a big time winner.
December
Elf - CenterStage Theatreworks - I was totally surprised and charmed by this sweet, wonderfully staged show.
A Queer Carol - Uptown Players A thoughtful, poignant, and fun retelling of Dickens with an LGBTQ slant
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 - Theatre Three Lavish and vocally incredible visual and aural treat.
Annie - Firehouse Theatre Kids, a dog, the depression, and all those songs you know by heart. A real gift.
A Christmas Carol - Dallas Theater Center The annual production was a particularly shiny star this year.
Holiday Inn - Theatre Arlington Just when I thought I’d had enough of holiday shows, here comes the phenomenal Max J. Swarner and a cast packed to the rafters with talent. I didn’t want to leave the theater.
DFW Center Stage Performer of the Year Award
Cara Statham Serber
I’m not usually one for awards. I often feel that they are more about the giver than the receiver. However, when compiling my year end list, Cara’s name kept coming up and I realized that altogether I had seen this remarkable actor seven times in four different shows this year.
Dear Cara, you sent my heart soaring in The Prom, broke it in Steel Magnolias, pulled it out and stomped on it in Big Fish, and just about stopped it in Carrie. Thank you for always giving your all, elevating every show you are in, and sharing your brilliant talent with all of us in DFW.
Doug Sturdivant
DFWCenterStage
12/31/24
P.S. This award and ten dollars will get you a Starbucks.
Photo by Jordan Fraker