Best of 2011: #14 - 2 Kilos of Sea

Originally presented as a site-specific work performed in a church courtyard as part of the River To River Festival, 2 KILOS OF SEA was re-imagined for an all-to-brief run at Baryshnikov Arts Center.  It was a playful dance piece by Deganit Shemy + Company that was both theatrical and fun.

Best of 2011: #15 - Your Brother, Rembmber

Theater doesn't get more personal than YOUR BROTHER, REMEMBER? Splicing together childhood home-made films with 80s films, Zachery Oberzan's piece for the Under The Radar festival managed to be both hilarious and very touching.

Best of 2011: #16 - Here at Home

31 Down's HERE AT HOME was and aurally and visually stimulating piece about the impact of war. It was Eric Bogosian meets Sarah Kane with terrific performances by D. J. Mendel and Hollis Witherspoon. The lighting/video projections were amazing. Director Shannon Sindelar is someone to watch.

Best of 2011: #17 - Born Bad

Soho Rep brought us the US premiere of playwright Debbie Tucker Green with BORN BAD, a lyrical, hour-long "poem" of a play what was solidly acted by a terrific and dedicated ensemble of five and beautifully directed by Leah C. Gardiner. Hopefully we will see more of this young British playwright.

Best of 2011: #18 - The Bardy Bunch (FringeNYC)

THE BARDY BUNCH was The Brady Bunch vs The Partridge Family vis a vie Shakespeare. Marcia Brady as Juliet. David Partridge as Romeo. Jan as Ophelia. Mrs. Brady as Lady Macbeth. And on and on. Clever choreography. Brisk direction. THE BARDY BUNCH was the perfect Fringe show!

Best of 2011: #19 - Sweet and Sad

Written and directed by Richard Nelson, SWEET AND SAD is the second of three personally-political plays set on a specific day during each of the years they are presented at The Public Theater.  This one was set on the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001.  The ensemble work so beautifully together you have a hard time believing they have not known each other for years.  I look forward to the final installment which will be set on election night 2012.

Best of 2011: #20 - Walk Across America for Mother Earth

Taylor Mac's WALK ACROSS AMERICA FOR MOTHER EARTH at LaMama was gloriously-hippy love fest!