The Year In ReviewTwelve Freshest Faces of 2007

After a standout supporting turn in the revival of 110 In The Shade, Bobby Steggert gave a sensitive, affecting lead performance in Yank!. Michael Wartella also gave two attention-getting and markedly different performances this year: one as Oliver Twist and the other as the lead in the revival of Seussical. In The Heights left me down in the dumps except for the dynamic, fun-to-watch Karen Olivio. I’ll be watching out for Carrington Vilmont, who nearly stole the enjoyable The Second Tosca with his deliciously dry line readings. At NYMF, Ana Nogueira and Michael Zahler gave memorably nuanced performances in challenging roles in The Boy In The Bathroom. Jacqueline van Biene was outstanding in both You Can’t Take It With You and Six Degrees Of Separation this year. I was completely delighted by Josh Grisetti’s charismatic lead performance in Enter Laughing at The York. And speaking of charisma, Roderick Hill had it to spare at The Mint in The Return Of The Prodigal. After Speech And Debate, I asked myself: “Who in the world is Sarah Steele and how did she get to be so dead-on hilarious?” Finally, two talented ladies who are new to me from the excellent Passing Strange ensemble: Rebecca Jones and DeAdre Aziza. I hope to see all these folks again in 2008 and beyond.