Top 10 Theatrical Delights of the Latter Half of 2011

Recapping the fightin', spoonin', boppin' stage sensations of 2011's summer and fall

<i>Surprise Annie</i>
Surprise Annie (Photo courtesy of Josh Meyer)

I'll go ahead and admit that my attendance at theatrical events in the first half of this year was rather abysmal, so I leave it up to my colleagues to credit those performances. I offer my chapeau and a round of applause to these 10 truly delightful experiences, listed in no particular order.

1) THE ENSEMBLE OF '69 LOVE SCENES' (Gnap! Theater Projects)

2) ANNIE LA GANGA'S SPOONING IN 'SURPRISE ANNIE' (Rubber Repertory)

3) BLOOD, GUTS, AND FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY IN 'TITUS ANDRONICUS' (Last Act Theatre Company)

4) IA ENSTERÄ'S SCENIC DESIGN FOR 'UNCLE VANYA' (Breaking String)

5) JARRETT KING AS MAMMY IN 'THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF HEDDA GABLER' (Mary Moody Northen Theatre)

6) BARBARA CHISHOLM AS THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY IVINS IN 'RED HOT PATRIOT: THE KICK-ASS WIT OF MOLLY IVINS' (Zach Theatre)

7) DARIA DAVIS' INSPIRED DIRECTION OF 'DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE' (UT Department of Theatre & Dance)

8) EBONY STEWART AS THE LADY IN RED IN 'FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF' (UpRise! Productions/Vortex Repertory Company)

9) THE SPIRITED ENSEMBLE OF 'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY' (Penfold Theatre Company)

10) SUSAN BRANCH TOWNE'S BOPPIN' COSTUMES FOR 'HAIRSPRAY' (Zach Theatre)

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More Top 10s 2011
VBW's Top 10 Savory Bites of 2011
VBW's Top 10 Savory Bites of 2011
These savory bites made a lasting impression on our Food editor

Virginia B. Wood, Jan. 6, 2012

VBW's Top 10 Sweet Bites of 2011
VBW's Top 10 Sweet Bites of 2011
These were just too sweet to pass up

Virginia B. Wood, Jan. 6, 2012

More by Jillian Owens
Exhibitionism
One Night With Janis Joplin
Zach makes this soulful portrait of the blues-rock queen an exhilarating concert that'll have you on your feet

Aug. 2, 2013

Exhibitionism
Little Shop of Horrors
This year's Zilker Summer Musical swaps the Swiss Alps for Skid Row, but it's as hugely entertaining as ever

July 26, 2013

KEYWORDS FOR THIS STORY

Top 10s 2011, Gnap! Theatre Projects, Annie LaGanga, Rubber Repertory, Last Act Theatre Company, Ia Enstarä, Ia Enstara, Breaking String, Jarrett King, Mary Moody Northen Theatre, Barbara Chisholm, Zach Theatre, Daria Davis, UT Department of Theatre & Dance, Ebony Stewart, UpRise! Productions, Vortex Repertory Company, Susan Branch Towne, Penfold Theatre Company

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
NEWSLETTERS
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle