Theater Mirror’s Reviewers ‘Top 10’ Lists for 2023

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

‘The Band’s Visit’ appeared on all four reviewers Top Ten lists for 2023

2023 was not only the year that the COVID masks literally came off in theaters (although with the recent spike in cases, they’re wisely coming back on in some venues), it also saw a minimizing of COVID-related cancellations thanks to a downturn in cases and an explosion of understudies for critical roles. It was also a year when theaters realized they could offer quality programming instead of well-intentioned but artistically weak messaging plays and still achieve diversity goals. Not surprisingly, that meant bringing back works by masters like Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, and Tony Kushner while still presenting new works by talents like Josh Harmon and newcomers Lenelle Moïse (K-I-S-S-I-N-G) and LaDarrion Williams (Boulevard of Bold Dreams). Here are the Top 10 picks for 2023 by our reviewing staff:

Theater Mirror’s Reviewers ‘Top 10’ Lists for 2022

January 1, 2023January 24, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of 42nd Street at Goodspeed Musicals 2022

Mike Hoban, Editor

The 2022 theatrical season got off to an inauspicious start, saddled by the persistent pandemic (which led to multiple cancellations of performances through the summer and some productions featuring masked performers) and a number of well-intentioned productions whose didactic approach on social-themed productions often wiped out any hope for artistic excellence. As the year progressed, both concerns became more muted, and paring down the list to a “Top 10” became much more of a challenge.

Theater Mirror Reviewers Top Five Picks for 2021

December 31, 2021December 31, 2021 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*Zurin Villanueva and Gregg Mozgala in the Huntington’s ‘Teenage Dick’*

Let’s face it, as eagerly as theatergoers anticipated the return to live theater in 2021, it was a fairly unremarkable year in terms of productions. And given that the season didn’t fully get underway until September (with the exception of Gloucester Stage’s solid outdoor programming at the Windhover Performing Arts Center in Rockport), there wasn’t a wealth of shows to weigh in on for a top 10 list for the year, and please bear in mind that reviewers did not see all of the shows. So here are the Top 5 lists as submitted by our participating reviewers (with links provided to original Theater Mirror reviews):

2019 – A Year in Boston Theatre

December 30, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Ireon Roach, Crystin Gilmore, Veronica Byrd in School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play – Photos by Maggie Hall Photography)

by James Wilkinson

What a time to be alive, huh? Now at the end of 2019, I’m recalling a moment way back in the early months when I was speaking with an Artistic Director about reviewing theater. “Really?” She inquired, “You enjoy seeing all of those shows?” As she asked the question, she had the furrowed brow of someone deeply concerned for my mental state. The word “enjoy” received an extra note of emphasis that signaled she wasn’t prepared to believe me if I answered in the affirmative, (which I did). I’ve counted it up. In 2019 I saw 56 plays in the Greater Boston area; I reviewed 46. With figures like those, perhaps we should be concerned for my mental state. But I figure that until I’m discovered crouched in a dark corner, eating my own hair, I haven’t cracked yet. I’ve been covering Boston theater for a little over two years and I’m happy to report back that I still think it’s the most exciting thing in the world when the house lights go down, the stage lights come up and anything at all might happen on that spot in front of you. Go figure.

Nominations for 23rd Annual IRNE Awards Announced!

February 25, 2019March 23, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“Moulin Rouge”, “An American in Paris” Lead Musical Nominations for Large Stage

Boston, MA, February 25, 2019 – The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) today announced the nominees for the 23rd Annual IRNE Awards, which honor the best of the previous year’s actors, directors, choreographers, designers and companies across the full spectrum of large, mid-size and fringe theater companies. Moulin Rouge!, a new musical produced by Global Creatures, and An American in Paris, produced by the Ogunquit Playhouse, led with 12 and 11 nominations, respectively, in the Large Stage Musical Category. The Huntington Theatre led all companies with 31 nominations across seven productions, including 11 for Man in the Ring, the story of six-time world champion prizefighter Emile Griffith.