BY Bob Fischbach
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Published Sunday December 28, 2008
It's goofy to rank them from best to least best, so I'll alphabetize my choices for the 10 community theater shows I most admired in 2008.
Your list would no doubt be different, and it's all horribly subjective. But at least you know I saw nearly 70 shows last year. These lasted most vividly in memory:
"Doubt," Brigit St. Brigit Theatre in January and SNAP Productions in August: John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer-winning script leaves the audience to debate whether Sister Aloysius is right in accusing Father Flynn of pedophilia. I couldn't pick between these two well-done local productions. Could you?
"Fences," John Beasley Theater:
As faded baseball great Troy Maxson, John Beasley gave an electrifying performance, ably supported by TammyRa as his wife and, in a strong debut, Dayton Rogers as his rebellious teen son.August Wilson's Pulitzer-winning script overflows with great dialogue. Directed by Tyrone Beasley.
"Gem of the Ocean," John Beasley Theater:
Same combination: TammyRa as Aunt Ester, Beasley as Solly Two
Kings, and the great August Wilson taking us on a turn-of-the-century journey of the soul. Memorable, mesmerizing stuff. Tyrone Beasley directed.
"The Giver," Rose Theater: Playwright in residence Brian Guehring and director Kevin Ehrhart created a stellar
adaptation of Lois Lowry's Newbery-Award-winning children's book. In a futuristic world, a boy (Chris Sheard)
rediscovers the power of individual choice and memory through the Giver (Jim Hoggatt). William E.P. Davis' set and
Sherri Geerdes' costumes stood out as well.
"The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?" Blue Barn Theatre: Moira Mangiameli and Jim McKain gave their all in this
alternately hilarious and gut-wrenching show about taboos, social constructs and shattered relationships. Director
Susan Clement Toberer again displayed a real affinity for interpreting Edward Albee's works.
"The Great American Trailer Park Musical," BroadStreet Productions: Talented leads, but it was the chorus
that bowled me over in this sendup of blue-collar life. Megan O'Connell, Allison Wissman and Cathy Hirsch were a
true triple threat: great vocals, terrific execution on Patrick Roddy's standout choreography, and howl-inducing
dialogue. Daena Schweiger and Keefer Peterson directed this laugh fest.
"Intimate Apparel," Omaha Community Playhouse: This story of a black seamstress of undergarments in
1905 New York proved deeply moving, thanks to standout acting by Denise Chapman, Julie Adams, Chris Shonka
and more. A true ensemble effort, with sparkling production values, under Susan Baer Collins' direction.
"The Little Dog Laughed," SNAP: Connie Lee's turn as a cynical, aggressive movie agent was a comedic tour de
force in Douglas Carter Beane's clever new play. Jim Palmer, as her closeted client, and Michael Juarez, as his
reluctant lover, ably supported Lee. Todd Brooks' direction and Ernie Gubbels' lighting further elevated the evening.
"The Odd Couple," Blue Barn and Brigit St. Brigit Theatres: Aaron Zavitz and Scott Kurz made this old Neil
Simon chestnut about mismatched roommates new again, under sharp direction by Cathy Kurz. Martin Scott
Marchitto's set was a star in its own right. Another top-notch ensemble effort.
"Stones in His Pockets," Omaha Community Playhouse: Watching Nick Zadina and Nils Haaland play multiple
roles in this moviemaking story set in Ireland was pure pleasure. Director Kevin Lawler steered the mood from
comedy to drama and back again seamlessly all night long. This one was all about the craft of character acting.
Honorable mention: "Angels in America: Perestroika," SNAP; "Company," Playhouse; "The Crucible," Playhouse;
"The Last Days of Judas Iscariot," SkullDuggery Productions; and "A Christmas Carol," Playhouse.
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