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A review the year's theatrical performances

In a perfect world, we would all be able to do what we love. And this past year I have. It has been a source of joy to visit the theaters in San Diego County and write about the experiences.

Last year I attended more than 65 theatrical performances from Fallbrook to Coronado to Los Angeles, five symphonies (three in San Diego, plus Fallbrook and Temecula), multiple museums – The Broad, The Gene Autry, The Huntington, The Norton Simon, The L.A. County Museum, The Getty, The Getty Villa, plus the Museum of Fine Arts, The JFK Museum, Museum of Science, all three in the Boston area, Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, the Paul Anka concert at Pala Resort and Dancing with the Stars in Riverside. Many of these things I did twice while others – once was too many.

Here is the thing. San Diego County features some of the finest theater anywhere in the country, including New York City. Even so, Broadway San Diego contracts with the best touring productions for us to enjoy without having to snag an airplane ride to the East Coast. While more familiar works are done by our fabulous county-wide theater companies; sometimes they do feature new plays.

For instance, did you know there were multiple "world premieres" here last season? The La Jolla Playhouse introduced "Escape to Margaritaville" and "Summers: The Donna Summers Musical", and in case you don't recall, they also premiered the Tony award-winning musical "Jersey Boys."

Meanwhile, The Old Globe introduced us to "Benny and Joon" and "Robin Hood", which was another show I saw twice because it was filled with superlative performances. "Billy Elliott the Musical" premiered at the Spreckels Theatre and was produced by San Diego Musical Theatre, introducing a talented local boy, 10-year-old dancing phenom Charles Garton. These shows were introduced here and possibly are destined for Broadway. It is called an out-of-town opening.

Now in case you didn't know, we have some very prestigious playhouses in our area. Alphabetically, they are Broadway San Diego at the Civic Theatre, The Cygnet in Old Town San Diego, Intrepid Theatre downtown, Lamb's Players in Coronado, La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, Moonlight Theatre in Vista during the summer, New Village Arts in Carlsbad, North Coast Rep in Del Mar, Old Globe in Balboa Park, San Diego Musical Theatre at the Horton Grand and San Diego Rep at the Lyceum in Horton Plaza.

And there are still more smaller companies like Broadway Vista, Roustabout Productions, Divisionary Theatre and some shows produced in Temecula. Plus in Fallbrook, we have the talented kids at Cast Academy, and the family shows done by Curtain Call Company.

To me, last year's theater menu rocked. As it stands for now, 2018 is stacking up pretty good too. In January, "Hamilton" is coming to Broadway San Diego; "The Full Monty" will open at the Horton Grand; "Around the World in 80 Days" at North County Rep and The Old Globe is kicking off with "The Importance of Being Ernest." And there is so much more countywide.

All of our playhouses have websites that are easy to find. However, if you aren't comfortable buying online, give them a call. You can get season tickets or just snag the ones you like.

Oh, and while you are at it, the theaters listed are not for profit. They thrive because of donations from people like us. So as the tax year is coming to an end, it is not to late to write a check to your favorite group of players to insure they will come back another year.

Meanwhile, I hope to see you at an upcoming show. The only thing that would improve the experience is a bag of buttered popcorn.

 

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