What Are YOUR Top Performances of 2021

Hey y’all,

Since it’s the end of the year and all the critics are putting up their “best of” lists, I figured we could divert from panicking about cancellations and reflect on the performances we’ve been fortunate to see this year. They can be any show (Long running or new), any role (principal, ensemble, supporting, or understudy), and any venue (Broadway, off Broadway, West End)

Here are mine -

1) Mare Winningham, Austin Scott, Jeanette Bayardelle, and Kimber Elayne Sprawl (GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY) - In a cast where stories and threads can easily get lost, I was able to always feel the presence of these four, even when they were off stage, and they are the ones whose songs I have on repeat when I listen to the cast album.

2) Bryan Terrell Clark (THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN) - I enjoyed how his character was layered with a lot of internal conflict about being a a black, gay man of affluence and how he struggled to relate sometimes to the other characters because of it, but never managed to let his joy be soured.

3) Sharon D. Clarke (CAROLINE OR CHANGE) - “Lot’s Wife”. That is all.

4) Ebony Marshall-Oliver (CHICKEN AND BISCUITS) - For those who saw it, you know. She devoured her ENTIRE role and left the audience in stitches both times I saw it.

5) Rob McClure (MRS. DOUBTFIRE) - Even if the show is a bit like simple, basic comfort food, there is no denying that this man is one of the premier stage comedians of our generation and that he throws his whole arsenal into this role and leaves the audience in stitches when in full nanny drag.

ADDENDUM:

6) Carvens Lissaint (HAMILTON- L.A) - Commanded the whole stage and you knew damn well he WAS the general - but when he sang “One Last Time” with so much soul and power that I could feel the Pantages shake, I wept.

Updated On: 12/30/21 at 10:56 AM

I didn't get to see that much this year because of the shutdown but:

1) Patti Lupone in Company - absolutely legendary. What a voice.

2) Ruben Santiago in Lackawanna Blues

3) Aaron Tveit in MR - really rare to hear a guy who can sing so well

4) LaChanze in Trouble in Mind

5) Sharon D. Clarke in Caroline, and Change. I didn't like the musical at all but her performance was extraordinary

Sharon Catherine Brown as Caroline in "Caroline, or Change"

Sharon Catherine Brown as CT in Caroline, or Change!!

Updated On: 12/30/21 at 12:17 PM

Sharon Brown as Caroline, particularly Lot’s Wife. Seriously one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.



The return performance of Company…between the actual show, LuPone’s performance, and seeing Sondheim at his final public appearance, definitely a memorable experience.

Matt Doyle - Company

Will Swenson - Assassins

I'm just going to do individual performances and only shows that I saw this year.

Top Ten (in alphabetical order)

Bonnie Milligan - Kimberly Akimbo
Cecily Strong - The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Deirdre O'Connell - Dana H
Ebony Marshall-Oliver - Chicken & Biscuits
Francis Jue - Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
Justin Cooley - Kimberly Akimbo
Kara Young - Clyde's
Matt Doyle - Company
Sharon D Clarke - Caroline, or Change
Will Swenson - Assassins

Honorable Mentions

LaChanze - Trouble in Mind
Michael Urie - Chicken & Biscuits
Patti LuPone - Company
Ramiz Monsef - Letters of Suresh
Robert Sella - Flying Over Sunset

Here's my top 10 in no particular order:

• Sharon D. Clarke - Caroline, or Change
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson - Lackawanna Blues
• Patsy Ferran - Camp Siegfried (Old Vic)
• Saoirse Ronan - The Tragedy of Macbeth (Almeida)
• Ben Daniels - The Normal Heart (National)
• Jasai Chase Owens and Sharlene Cruz - Sanctuary City
• Cecily Strong - The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
• Patti Lupone - Company
• Justin Cooley - Kimberly Akimbo

Honorable Mentions:

• Lachanze and Chuck Cooper - Trouble in Mind
• Domnall Gleeson - Medicine
• Victoria Clark - Kimberly Akimbo
• The whole ensemble - What to Send Up When It Goes Down

And shoutout to Emily Davis (Is This a Room) and Deirde O'Connell (Dana H.) whom I saw in the Vineyard theatre runs of their respective shows but didn't make it to the Broadway runs. But I know both were giving astounding performances this year as well.

Updated On: 12/30/21 at 02:41 PM

mine are -

5) Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster in the Music Man - 2nd Preview 12/21

4) Andre DeShields first entrance (and "a'right" - Hadestown return performance Sept 2nd

3) Danny Burstein's post-Tonys performance in Moulin Rouge

2) Jeremy Jordan in Little Shop of Horrors

1) Patti LuPone in Company

*** Honorable mention to Claybourne Elder and his underwear

I always love recapping favorite performances! Since reopening, I have seen 20 live performances. Here are some of my highlights:



COMPANY Patti LuPone, Jennifer Simard (one of the best comedic performances), Matt Doyle, Claybourne Elder … icing was being there opening preview with Sondheim in the house.



WAITRESS Sara Bareilles singing her own songs and gently harmonizing with her other two waitresses! Opening preview night, first musical to reopen after the shut down, audience was electric!



Brian Stokes Mitchell outdoor concert at Lincoln Center, Damrosch Park. This was my first live performance after the shut down. Amazing set list and he sounded incredible.



CAROLINE, OR CHANGE Sharon D. Clarke, I’m so happy this production brought her over from the UK for this role!



LEHMAN TRILOGY Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley, Adrian Lester. Brilliant writing, directing, acting… smart and very accessible.



TROUBLE IN MIND LaChanze, Chuck Cooper, Jessica Frances Dukes.



KIMBERLY AKIMBO Victoria Clark, Justin Cooley, Bonnie Milligan and the rest of the cast. I saw it in early previews, loved the first act! What a great new musical.



ASSASSINS Judy Kuhn as Sara Jane Moore, loved her delivery/ comic timing… just wish the part had more room to show off her incredible vocals! This production is filled with some of my favorite performers, what a treat to experience it in an intimate space.



SKELETON CREW Brandon J. Dirden as Reggie and Adesola Osakalumi as Performer. saw the second preview, all performances were great… I most likely would’ve added other names to this list after they’ve had more performances under their belt. Lakisha May was understudy that night as Shanita and did a great job.



TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (saw before shut down, but still wanted to mention) Celia Keenan-Bolger’s portrayal of Scout is one of my favorite all time performances!

Jennifer Nettles as Jenna in Waitress

I didn't think I would ever love anyone else's performance as Jenna more than Jessie Mueller's, but Jennifer Nettles really surpassed that and more. There was not one thing I didn't love about her performance. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see her in it twice, from the first and second row in center orchestra. It was amazing to be part of her standing ovation for SUTBM, and just a few feet away from her. Worth every penny.

Updated On: 12/30/21 at 04:46 PM

My top performances of 2021:

Sharon D Clarke and Samantha Williams in Caroline, or Change.

Matt Doyle and Patti Lupone in Company

Danny Burstein in Moulin Rogue (New to me, and I'm so glad I was able to see him)

Bryan Terrell Clark in Thoughts of a Colored Man

The entire current cast of the remount of Slave Play

I haven't seen a ton but my standouts were:

Katrina Lenk - Company

Carmen Cusack - Flying Over Sunset

Julia Murney - Baby