By James V. Ruocco
Fresh takes.
Major revivals.
Seasoned classics.
Soaring melodies.
Grand and glorious national tours.
Sell-out performances.
Tour de force experiences.
Another year has come and gone, and with it, a year of bittersweet memories, triumphs, electricity and freshly scored home runs.
Marsha Norman. Andrew Lloyd Webber. Harold Arlen. George Gershwin. Rodgers and Hammerstein. Stephen Sondheim. Fats Waller. Jule Styne.
There's nothing quite like the thrill of musical theatre.
Looking back, 2023 was a great year for Equity-based musical fare all across Connecticut.
LIVE or streamed, musicals of every size, shape and color were showcased day by day, week by week or month by month much to the delight of theatergoers, music buffs, showtune aficionados, rock fans and anyone in the mood for something sweet and nostalgic.
Opening night was a hit.
Great orchestra seats were plentiful.
Tickets sales skyrocketed.
The reviews came out.
Sold-out performances were commonplace.
Standing ovations were in full swing.
There was lots and lots to choose from.
What worked?
What stood out?
What was the big blockbuster?
What kept audiences coming back for more?
What was the "after party" buzz and chatter?
What musical or musicals prompted a return visit?
This year, things quickly fell into place.
Picking the very "best" musicals and concerts of the 2023 season was pretty much - "one, two, three."
Fun?
Yes.
An Open Mind?
Always.
Personal favorites?
It comes with the territory.
But first, a few simple rules.
Only "press invited shows" (i.e., invites from Equity-based theaters or marketing departments within the actual venue) are eligible for "Best Musical and Concert" consideration.
To place on the annual "best" list, all productions must be completely consistent in terms of excellence, execution, performance, direction, design, casting and showmanship.
This year, for the very first time ever, all 2023 musicals staged at ACT of CT and Goodspeed Musicals have received a place on my annual "Best Musicals and Broadway Concerts of 2023 - Equity" with special credit going to Daniel C. Levine, Artistic Director of ACT of CT and Donna Lynn Hilton, Artistic Director of Goodspeed Musicals.
Another first: ACT of CT is the first and only venue ever to have all three of their 2023 productions receive first place honors - "The Secret Garden," "Sunset Boulevard" and "Rock of Ages."
"Summer Stock" from Goodspeed Musicals completes the quartet of first place winners.
My choices are as follows.
The Best Musicals and Broadway Concerts of 2023 - Equity
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