BWW's Michael L. Quintos Picks His Best of So. California Theater for 2012

6. MISS SAIGON
Regional Production
La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts, La Mirada

And speaking of top-tier regional theater companies, this surprisingly full-scale revival of the West End/Broadway hit was not only a feast for those with a penchant for big, grandiose theatrics, it was also pleasing to those seeking to hear the show's lovely, euphoric score performed by a really talented ensemble.

7. ELEMENO PEA
Regional Production
South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa

By far my favorite play of the year (that didn't take place inside a car), Molly Smith Metzler's funny new American play cracks wise like an intelligent TV sitcom, full of biting sarcasm and of-the-moment snark. Wry humor and even a surprising amount of pathos are sprinkled generously in this hilarious portrait of people--both rich and poor--equally behaving badly.

8. A CHORUS LINE
Regional Production
3D Theatricals, Fullerton

Despite a gluttony of productions from small community theaters and high school auditoriums to regional houses and touring venues over the past few decades, one would think that seeing this ubiquitous show for the umpteenth time would be a tiresome exercise. Thankfully, 3DT's fine, top-notch iteration is an enjoyable one, buoyed mostly by its staging, choreography, lighting, costumes, and a terrific ensemble cast. And, man, that kick-line still gets me.

9. JUSTIN LOVE: A NEW MUSICAL
Regional Production
Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles

The most beguiling new musical of the year, JUSTIN LOVE is an unlikely fairy tale (in earthly, WeHo clothing, of course) that's witty, smart, lively, funny, and--ohmigosh--unabashedly romantic. And the best surprise of all? You'll find yourself actually rooting for the biggest, most villainous bitch in the room even as the narrative goes barreling forward towards its happy, oh-so-Hollywood ending. So adorkable.

10. THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL
First National Tour
Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

With its earlier Broadway reputation wiped away like a bad nightmare, this re-tooled roadshow version--a funny yet tender blend of wickedness and heart--was charmingly corny, ghoulishly droll, and genuinely hilarious from top to bottom. It helped, too, that the gifted Douglas Sills and Sara Gettelfinger led the eponymous clan's high-kicking high-jinks.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

ALLEGIANCE: A NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL
(Pre-Broadway World Premiere)
Old Globe Theatre, San Diego

BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL (National Tour)
Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles

LES MISERABLES (National Tour)
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

THE PRODUCERS (In Concert)
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

TRACES (National Tour)
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

WEST SIDE STORY
Chance Theater, Anaheim Hills

BEST BROADWAY CONCERT
(Tie) "In Conversation with Stephen Sondheim" featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell & Christine Ebersole; and Kristin Chenoweth in Concert at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

BEST CABARET/JAZZ SHOWCASE
Jane Monheit & John Pizzarelli (Double Bill)
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT
TEATRO ZINZANNI: Love, Chaos & Dinner
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR

Jan Maxwell, Victoria Clark, Ron Raines,
Danny Burstein, Elaine Paige, Terri White
FOLLIES, Ahmanson Theatre

Alet Taylor
JUSTIN LOVE: A NEW MUSICAL, Celebration Theatre

Christopher Sieber
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (Tour),
Pantages Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Clifton Duncan
SCOTTSBORO BOYS, The Old Globe

Gwen Stewart
HAIRSPRAY, 3D Theatricals

Joseph Foronda
MISS SAIGON, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Katrina Lenk
ELEMENO PEA, South Coast Repertory

Peter Lockyer
LES MISERABLES (Tour), Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Rachelle Rose Clark
SPRING AWAKENING, Theatre Out

Tammi Tappan Damiano
SPAMALOT, Musical Theatre West

Tracy Lore
42ND STREET, Musical Theatre West

Jared Gertner & Gavin Creel
THE BOOK OF MORMON (Tour), Pantages Theatre

Davis Gaines & Lesli Margherita
MAN OF LA MANCHA, Musical Theatre West

Lea Salonga & Telly Leung
ALLEGIANCE: A NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL, The Old Globe

Richard Kind & Dane Cook
THE PRODUCERS, Hollywood Bowl

Felicia Boswell & Bryan Fenkart
MEMPHIS (Tour)
Pantages Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Douglas Sills & Sara Gettelfinger
THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL (Tour)
Pantages Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Tessa Auberjonois & JD Cullum
ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, South Coast Repertory

Danny Moreno & Kalinda Gray
AVENUE Q, Theatre Out

The Cast of Forbidden Broadway 2, Musical Theatre West

The Cast of PRINCE OF ATLANTIS, South Coast Repertory


Photo credits (from top to bottom): Gavin Creel in THE BOOK OF MORMON by Joan Marcus; Davis Gaines in MAN OF LA MANCHA by Ken Jacques; Jan Maxwell in FOLLIES by Craig Schwartz; Kevin Odekirk and Jacqueline Nguyen in MISS SAIGON by Michael Lamont.

Follow this reviewer on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

Michael Lawrence Quintos is a quiet, mild-mannered Art Director by day. But as night falls, he regularly performs on various stages everywhere as a Counter-Tenor soloist, actor, and dancer for The Men Alive Chorus since 2002. He's sung everything from Broadway, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Gospel and Pop. His musical theater roots started early, performing in various school musical productions and a couple of nationally-televised programs. The performing bug eventually brought him a brief championship run in the Philippines' version of "Star Search" before moving to Las Vegas at age 11. College brought him out to Orange County, California, where he earned a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Film Screenwriting. He has spent several years as a designer and art director for various entertainment company clients, while spending his free time watching or performing in shows. Follow Michael on Twitter at: twitter.com/cre8iveMLQ.

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