It’s time once again to look back on the year in theatre. First, the 12 performers, unknown to me before 2009, who I most look forward to seeing on stage again soon. From The Toxic Avenger musical: supporting player Demond Green and male lead Nick Cordero displayed killer comedy chops. Aubyn Philabaum brought her rich-girl character to vivid life in Kiss Me On The Mouth. At NYMF, in The Last Smoker In America, Alex Wyse stole scene after scene from his seasoned castmates. Jon Michael Hill’s vibrant performance was one of the reasons to see Superior Donuts. One of the most memorable things about the short-lived 9 to 5 musical was the performance by Megan Hilty; ditto Sarah Stiles in the musical of Vanities. Quincy Tyler Bernstine followed heartbreaking work in Ruined (see my upcoming Best Ensembles list, soon) with In The Next Room, or the vibrator play. I dare you to show me someone who saw Circle Mirror Transformation and didn’t leave wanting to know more about its comic delight Tracee Chimo. One of the most exciting young actors on the scene right now is Adam Driver, whose intense performance in Slipping was unforgettable. Finally, two delightful performers new to me from MilkMilkLemonade: Andy Phelan and Nikole Beckwith.
Honorable mentions I’ll also be looking out for: Jake O’Connor (Wildflower), Nolan Funk (Bye Bye Birdie), Dane DeHaan (Sixty Miles to Silver Lake), Karen Eilbacher (She Like Girls) and Cristen Paige and Colin Hanlon (How Now Dow Jones).
on Dec 14th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Thanks for this. I adore Andy Phelan. It’s impossible not to love him when you watch him work. Also, Nikole Beckwith is my new muse.
on Dec 14th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Great List! I adored Tracee Chimo and I think Adam Driver can do no wrong (I saw him do “Burn This” at Juilliard and he was amazing). But I am most pleased to see Andy Phelan and Nikole Beckwith on the list…”MilkMilkLemonade” was one of my favorite shows of the year and they were both terrific – I would have included the whole cast…but that is just me!
on Dec 15th, 2009 at 12:43 am
I saw Alex Wyse Saturday in “Lost In Yonkers” at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. He was outstanding as was the rest of the cast in this great Neil Simon comi-drama.
on Dec 15th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Wyse is 6 months out of Boston U., living in NYC, and not wasting any time in establishing himself in his chosen profession
on Dec 15th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
[...] Last year I named 3 dozen outstanding performances of 2008; this year I’ve kept the list to 30. Did I think there were fewer outstanding performances in 2009? Not in the least, once you factor in the casts of Our Town, Ruined, The Norman Conquests and Finian’s Rainbow; all are on my Most Outstanding Ensembles list and therefore not included here. For other outstanding performances of 2009, also see my list of 2009’s Freshest Faces. [...]
on Dec 15th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Howard – I understand I’m seeing Alex Wyse next year in a Neil Simon at Paper Mill Playhouse and I’m looking forward to it lots.
Bixby – I can imagine that Adam Driver killed in “Burn This”; I wish I’d seen that.