*
At Circle in the Square with an all-star cast including George C. Scott, Nicol Williamson, Julie Christie, Elizabeth Wilson, Lillian Gish, Cathleen Nesbit and Barney Hughes — I had just moved to New York, and this was the first Broadway show I saw. I was lucky because everyone showed up that afternoon and gave a magical performance that I can still see in my mind's eye. Cathleen Nesbit was 90 years old, I think, and commanded the stage and was heartbreakingly beautiful.
Sherlock Holmes with John Wood
His performance was absolutely riveting — it wasn't so much that he disappeared into the character as that the character took him over and demanded your full attention. I'd never seen acting like that.
Brace Up! at The Wooster Group
This was the Wooster Group's revolutionary take on The Three Sisters using Paul Schmidt's unequaled translation as well as many special elements including a dinosaur and sometimes Willem Dafoe on television. But the most riveting moments were when Masha and Vershinin approached one another. Ron Vawter as Vershinin was definitive.
Caroline, or Change with Tonya Pinkins
The combination of a remarkable cast led by Tonya Pinkins and the perfectly matched beauties and revelations of the words by Tony Kushner and the music by Jeanine Tesori just tore my heart out.
FELA! conceived and choreographed by Bill T. Jones
From the moment you walked into the theatre until you were forced to leave, this show picked you up and shook you and filled you with joy and terror. The dancers were quite literally unbelievable.
The Apple Family Plays by Richard Nelson at the Public Theater
There has never been a better cycle of plays about a family. The production was wonderful and every actor, including me, in New York who didn't have a part in it wanted one. We all thought the Apple Family should have lots of neighbors who dropped in from time to time.
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill with Audra McDonald
This was a perfect performance in every possible way... Ms. McDonald did disappear into this character and make her live and sing and suffer and invade the souls of the audience.
Uncle Vanya at the Soho Rep
Well, here the combination of Annie Baker and Sam Gold and Chekhov and those actors illuminated the play in a way I didn't think possible. It happens that I have seen this play more than any other play, and it was as if I'd never seen it.
Fun Home at the Public Theater and then Circle in the Square
I saw both productions (I've seen the play three times) and was completely undone every time. The courage of the writing, the way the music absolutely served the story and the great honesty and simplicity of the acting all under the very sure hand of Sam Gold make this play sing and compel no matter what the composition of the audience is.
10 out of 12 by Anne Washburn, directed by Les Waters at Soho Rep
This play let everyone in on what it feels like in TECH for everyone involved. Thomas Jay Ryan delivered the most harrowing monologue on the theatre I've ever heard and delivered it flawlessly. The rest of the production was up to that standard, too.
