By James V. Ruocco
Gritty.
Engaging.
Vibrant.
Hypnotic.
Thrilling.
Assertive.
Non-Equity Theatre in 2023 was exactly that.
So many plays to discover.
So many plays to cherish.
So many plays to enjoy.
So many great performances.
So many standing ovations.
Drama. Comedy. Classics.
Some very recognizable.
Some rarely performed.
Some completely brand new.
Some very few theatergoers have heard of.
The thrill of course, was discovery.
New. Old. Timely. Quirky. Edgy. Outrageous. Surprising.
From "August: Osage County" to "Night of January 16th," it was a game-changing season that broke new ground, offset by themes and subject matter that enticed, cajoled, excited, surprised and left no room for error.
Non-Equity Theatre in Connecticut was more diverse than it has ever been.
There were, of course, several misfires, including one play that left "thrill and spill" in the back shed while two others derailed quickly due to generic dialogue and one-note characters that left the performers stumbling, forgetting lines or waiting forever for the set to be changed - five, ten, fifteen times.
No matter.
Those productions are not included here.
To be eligible, all productions must be completely consistent in terms of excellence, execution, performance, direction, design and showmanship.
What worked?
What stood out?
What drove audiences wild?
What was the "after party" buzz and chatter?
This year, things quickly fell into place.
Picking the very "best" plays of the 2023 season was pretty much - "one, two, three."
Fun?
Yes.
An Open Mind?
Always.
Personal favorites?
It comes with the territory.
One final note: Only "press invited shows" (i.e., invites from Non-Equity Theaters or marketing departments within the actual venue) are eligible for "Best Play" consideration.
My choices are as follows:
The Best Non-Equity Plays of 2023
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