Monday, January 2, 2023

From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2, Column 364, "The Best Plays of 2022 (Non-Equity)"


 

By James V. Ruocco

Gritty.
Engaging.
Assertive.
Vibrant.
Edgy.
Immersive.

Non-Equity Theatre in 2022 was exactly that.

So many plays to discover.
So many plays to cherish.
So many plays to enjoy.

Drama. Comedy. Classics.
Some very recognizable.
Some rarely performed.
Some very few theatergoers have heard of.

The thrill of course, was discovery.
New. Old. Timely. Quirky. Outrageous.
That was the bill of fare at both Hole in the Wall Theater and Brookfield Theatre for the Arts.

Shakespeare. Dungeons & Dragons. Neil Simon. The game of Clue.

What worked?
What stood out?
What drove theatergoers and critics absolutely wild?

For some, it was simply a matter of choice.
For others, it was a night on the town.
Or, in some cases, it was the opportunity to enjoy something new or grab a ticket to something they've never heard of before.
No argument there.


Theatergoing was at its peak throughout 2022.
Lots to see. Lots to enjoy. Lots to applaud.

After months of deliberation and revisiting an endless variety of content, from reviews and playbills to columns and specially marked reminder notes, choices for The Best Non-Equity Plays of the Year fell neatly into place, one by one, line by line.


Difficult?
Not really.
Easy?
Somewhat.
An open mind?
Always.
Time consuming?
A little.
Fun?
Yes, indeed.
Personal favorites?
It comes with the territory.

But first, a few simple rules.
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:

Please note: This year, there's a tie for first place amongst two very different productions.

"She Kills Monsters" and "God of Carnage" have received top honors in this year's round up of eligible play productions.

The Best Non-Equity Plays of 2022

She Kills Monsters
(Hole in the Wall Theater)
director: Terrance J. Peters

God of Carnage
(The Arts at Angeloria's)
director: Joey Abate

Day of Absence
(Hole in the Wall Theater)
director: Laurie Maria Cabral

Clue on Stage
(Castle Craig Players)
director: Ian Galligan

Hamlet
(Brookfield Theatre for the Arts)
director: Jane Farnol

A Number
(Backyard Theatre Ensemble)
director: Teresa Langston

Sweat
(Brookfield Theatre for the Arts)
director: Lou Okell

Barbeque
(Hole in the Wall Theater)
director: Teresa Langston

California Suite
(Castle Craig Players)
director: Pam Amodio

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
(Castle Craig Players)
director: Oliver Kochol

Night of the Assassins
(Brookfield Theatre for the Arts)
director: Tony Bosco-Schmidt

Love's Labour's Lost
(Hole in the Wall Theater)
director: Marando Gallo

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)
(Castle Craig Players)
directors: Carleigh and Bobby Schultz



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