A Look Back at 2017

This posting involves a look back at the various productions I saw during the calendar year 2017.  Out of almost 120 productions I have identified a number that call for special comment.  They include a dozen favourites, a dozen disappointments, a dozen pleasant surprises and a few that were simply bad.

A Dozen Favourites

Out of all the productions seen during 2017 selecting a group of favourites is not easy.  At least 50 I thoroughly enjoyed.  Some of these were “pleasant surprises” because they so far exceeded my expectations.  Others were good, but not quite good enough to make it to the “favourites” list.  In no particular order, these are my favourite productions of 2017.

Ragtime in Concert
Master Class
Cabaret (Tomo Suru)
Titus Buffonius
Taken at Midnight
Hand to God
Les Belles Soeurs (UBC)
Anything Goes
Thoroughly Modern Millie (Capilano U)
42nd Street
Corleone
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

A Dozen Disappointments

Some shows we attend with high expectations. These may reflect the material, the producing company, the performers, critical reviews or simply the hype surrounding them.  A failure to meet these expectations constitutes a disappointment.  The extent to which the actual production falls short of what is expected, the greater the disappointment.  Here, in no particular order, are my dozen disappointments of 2017.

The Elbow Room Cafe
Love and Information
Refugee Hotel
City of Angels
A Chorus Line
One Hour Photo
The Audience
The Ridiculous Darkness
Peter and the Starcatcher (Capilano U)
Thanks for Giving
Angels in America; Perestroika
A Prayer for Owen Meany

A Dozen Pleasant Surprises

Committing to attend a live performance frequently requires a leap of faith.  Some or all of the material, the producing company, the performers, and sometimes even the venue, may be unfamiliar or unknown to you.  You go with few or no expectations and are prepared to be disappointed.  Then suddenly it all becomes worthwhile when a show unexpectedly delivers the entertainment package you were hoping for but despaired of getting.  These are my “pleasant surprises” for 2017 set out in no particular order.

Redpatch
The Music Teacher
The Hunger Room
Rumors
No Big Thing (Fringe)
The Inventor of all Things (Fringe)
A Soldiers War (Fringe)
The Pillowman
Mr. Foote’s Other Leg
This is our Youth
Vinci (NW Vagabonds)
On a First Name Basis

Just Plain Bad

I had no expectations to disappoint.  What more can I say?

Viva
Songs for a New World
King Charles III
Setting Bones (Fringe)