From the Desk of Jim R, Take, 2, Column 50: The Best of the Year: Theater 2017, Part 4: Goodspeed Musicals

By James V. Ruocco

It was really quite the banner year for Goodspeed Musicals in 2017.

The musical reworking of "Rags" was one of the year's hidden gems.

Director Rob Ruggiero created a visceral, character-driven production of extraordinary proportions, dimension and urgency that told a very intimate, very human story of immigrants struggling to find their way in a new land.

First performed on Broadway back in 1986 and reincarnated in various reworked versions (1991, 1993, 1999 and as a staged concert in 2006), this edition included a brand new book by David Thompson (Joseph Stein penned the original book) and several new songs by "Rags" creators Charles Strouse (music) and Stephen Schwartz (music).

"Oklahoma!," in turn, was no mere old-fashioned musical.

It was more of an experience. The sights and sounds it created were staggering. The songs were an absolute treat. And the performances were quite something else.

Directed by Jenn Thompson, this "Oklahoma!" was gorgeous, confident, cheeky, sweeping, dangerous, sexual and dazzling. Everything about it was crisp, clear, creative and thrilling.

All this for a show that has been in existence for 74 years, and counting.

A third production, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, was also staged by Goodspeed Musicals.  But unfortunately, I did not get to review this romantic, dance-happy musical. That is why it does not appear (at length) in this column.

So, let's indulge!

The Best of the Year: Theater 2017, Part 4

(Goodspeed Musicals, 6 Main Street, East Haddam, CT) 

"Rags"

Best Musical: "Rags"  (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical: Sean MacLaughlin (Sal Russo in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical: Samantha Massell (Rebecca Hershkowitz  in "Rags")  (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical: Sara Kapner (Bella Cohen in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Nathan Salstone (Ben Levitowitz in "Rags") Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Adam Heller (Avram Cohen in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: David Harris (Max Bronfman in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Mitch Greenberg (Jack Blumberg in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Christian Michael Camporin  (David Hershkowitz in "Rags")  (Goodspeed Musicals)

 Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical: Emily Zacharias (Anna Blumberg in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical: Lori Wilner (Rachel Brodsky in "Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Quintet: J.D. Daw, Ellie Fishman, Danny Lindgren, Sarah Solie, Jeff Williams ("Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Direction of a Musical: Rob Ruggiero ("Rags")  (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Musical Direction: Michael O' Flaherty ("Rags")  (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Choreography: Parker Esse ("Rags")   (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Set Design: Michael Schweikardt  ("Rags")    (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Lighting Design: John Lasiter ("Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Projection Design: Luke Cantarella ("Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Costume Design: Linda Cho ("Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Sound Design: Jay Hilton ("Rags") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Casting of a Musical: Paul Hardt, Stewart/Whitley (Goodspeed Musicals)

"Oklahoma!"

Best Musical: "Oklahoma!" (Goodspeed Musicals) 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical: Rhett Guter (Curly McLaine in "Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical: Samantha Bruce (Laurey Williams in "Oklahoma!")(Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Jake Swain (Will Parker in "Oklahoma!")(Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Matt Faucher (Jud Fry in "Oklahoma!")(Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Matthew Curiano (Ali Hakim in "Oklahoma!")

(Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical: Gizel Jimenez (Ado Annie Carnes in "Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Direction of a Musical: Jenn Thompson  ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Musical Direction: Michael O' Flaherty ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Choreography:  Katie Spelman ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Set Design: Wilson Chin ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Lighting Design: Philip S. Rosenberg  ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Costume Design: Tracy Christensen  ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Sound Design: Jay Hilton  ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Best Casting of a Musical: Paul Hardt, Stewart/Whitley Casting ("Oklahoma!") (Goodspeed Musicals)