From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2, Column 51, The Best of the Year: Theater 2017, Part 5: Playhouse on Park

By James V. Ruocco

It's a theater that has been thriving since 2009.

"Side By Side By Sondheim"
"An Enemy of the People"
"Company"
"Of Mice and Men"
"Othello"
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
"A Chorus Line"
"Wit"
"A Moon for the Misbegotten"
"The Dining Room"

Those were just a few of the standout plays and musicals produced by this critically acclaimed theater.

In 2017, however, I finally got the chance to see what everyone was taking about.

In September, to be exact, I walked through the doors of Playhouse on Park for the very first time and got to write about this dynamic, intimate West Hartford theater space, not once, but twice.

The ensemble feel, the energetic optimism, the impassioned connection between actor and audience, the standout performances.
That was Playhouse on Park, in a nutshell.

And the productions themselves, performed by an exceptional team of professional, emerging and local artists, were nothing short of brilliant.

The Best of the Year: Theater 2017, Part 5

(Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Rd, West Hartford, CT)

 

"The Diary of Anne Frank"

Best Play: "The Diary of Anne Frank"  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Play: Frank Van Putten  (Otto Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank")   (Playhouse on Park)



Best Performance by an Actress in a Play: Isabelle Barbier (Anne Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Play: Joni Weisfeld (Edith Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play: Allen Lewis Rickman (Mr. Van Daan in "The Diary of Anne Frank") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play: Ruthy Froch (Margot Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank")   (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play: Lisa Bostnar (Mrs.Van Daan in "The Diary of Anne Frank") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play: Elizabeth Simmons (Miep Gies in "The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Direction of a Play: Ezra Barnes ("The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Set Design: David Lewis  ("The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Lighting Design: Christopher Bell  ("The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Costume Design: Kate Bunce ("The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Sound Design: Joel Abbott ("The Diary of Anne Frank") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Properties & Set Dressing: Eileen O'Connor and Judi Manfre  ("The Diary of Anne Frank") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Artist of the Year: Isabelle Barbier (Anne Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank")  (Playhouse on Park)

"Avenue Q"

 

Best Musical: "Avenue Q" (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical: Weston Chandler Long (Princeton/Rod in "Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical: Peej Mele (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear in "Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical: Ashley Brooke (Kate Monster/Lucy in "Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: James Fairchild (Brian in "Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical: EJ Zimmerman (Christmas Eve in "Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical: Abena Mensah-Bonsu  (Gary Coleman in "Avenue Q")

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical: Colleen Welsh (Mrs. T/ Bad Idea Bear in "Avenue Q")  (Playhouse on Park)

Best Direction of a Musical: Kyle Brand  ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Musical Direction: Robert James Tomasulo ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Choreography: Kyle Brand ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Set Design: Emily Nichols ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Lighting Design: Christopher Bell ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Best Sound Design:  Joel Abbott  ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Best Casting: Playhouse on Park ("Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

Artist of the Year: Weston Chandler Long (Princeton/Rod in "Avenue Q") (Playhouse on Park)

 

Artist of the Year: Colleen Welsh (Mrs. T/ Bad Idea Bear in "Avenue Q")  (Playhouse on Park)