2018 Theatre in review
2018 was quite a year for me for theatre. Starting slowly, it really ramped up. An amazing variety of shows, even though most of what I saw were plays. I feel very lucky to live in New York and to be able to see such great works of creativity.
By the numbers I saw 43 productions — 14 were NYC Broadway, 27 NYC Off Broadway, and 2 out of New York. I saw 33 plays, 5 musicals, and 5 “other” — comedy productions, immersive theatre (Then She Fell), and Bruce Springsteen’s scripted concert / monologue.
I now see far more theatre than movies, and so I get to the point of having “opinions” about who and what are standout. And so my totally personal view of “bests” for the year is as follows (this is 2018 as I saw them, nothing about seasons or when things opened / closed)
Best new play, and my #1 show of the year:
The Jungle
Best new play runner-up:
The Ferryman
Best revival of a play:
Angels in America
Best revival of a play runner-up:
Travesties
Best new musical:
Twelfth Night (The Public) (I know, it sounds weird, but this was a total reimagining, with new music, and was amazing)
Best revival of a musical:
My Fair Lady
Best “other”:
Bruce Springsteen on Broadway
Best actor:
Brian Cranston (Network)
Best actress:
Carey Mulligan (Girls and Boys)
Best actor runner-up:
Billy Crudup (Harry Clarke)
Best actress runner-up:
Glenda Jackson (Three Tall Women)
Best production / staging / tech:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
