Now that the presents have all been unwrapped, the stockings have all been unstuffed and the holiday dinners have all been uneaten (you know what I mean, yuck) it is time to turn our attention to the post Christmas/pre New Years tradition of list making.  This is the time when we look back at the year that was and find ways to list things in numerical order of preference.  That is a fancy way of saying - it is time to put together a TOP TEN list.

I find it almost impossible to put together a Top Ten list.  A.) because I haven't seen everything there is to see and B.) because I have a terrible memory (not an excuse, just a fact).  So I have compiled a list of my favorites (in no particular order) from 2007.

1. August: Osage County

Easily the best thing I saw this entire year, perhaps this entire decade.  Tracy Lett's new play about a VERY dysfunctional family knocked the socks off of me.  Funny, moving and thrilling; this transfer production from Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company boasts about 10 top notch performances and one break through role for Amy Morton.  I predict this show will easily sweep the Tonys come June.  If you haven't seen it.  Go NOW!

2. Pygmalion

This underrated production presented by The Roundabout Theatre Company and starring movie and television actresses Claire Danes has lingered in my mind for weeks.   Dismissed by critics but embraced by audiences this revival of George Bernard Shaw's classic tale was expertly directed by David Grindley (who made "old school" directing seem fresh and alive) and anchored by ( what I thought was) a lovely and well crafted performance by Ms. Danes and a stunning and bold interpretation by Tony winner Jefferson Mays as Henry Higgins.  No, it was not the crowd pleasing romance that we have come to expect via the musical My Fair Lady, instead it was engrossing and intellectually challenge in new and exciting ways. 

3. Spring Awakening

Great teen age performers.  A kick ass musical score.  Wildly imaginative/semi- avant garde direction.  Sex.  Rock ‘n Roll.  Hand held microphones. This doesn't sound like a Broadway musical.  But it is!  Spring Awakening created quite a stir when it opened on "the Broadway".  Many insiders thought it would tank ("Who will buy a ticket to see this show?" said the insiders).  Then it won a bucket full of Tonys and ticket sales are through the roof!  SA will likely be here for a while and I, for one, am glad.

4.  Grey Gardens

I have said it before and I will say it again - Christine Ebersole, Christine Ebersole, Christine Ebersole!  One of the year's most amazing performances in one of the year's most delicious musicals.  Again, a show about two crazy old ladies living in a run down house with hundreds of cats and a song about corn - doesn't sound like a big B'way hit (and it didn't last that long on B'way after all).  Grey Gardens, however, was engrossing from top to bottom.  And then there was that performance; Ms. Ebersole DAZZLED audiences in a tour de force performance as both Big Edie Beale (in Act One) and transforming herself into Little Edie Beale (in Act Two).  I think my jaw still hurts from witnessing this performance.  Get it "jaw-dropping"?  My jaw hurts because it was so jaw-droppingly good...never mind...if you have to explain it, it's not worth it.

5. Sweeney Todd (the movie)

Ok.  I know it is a movie.  I understand that this is a theater blog.  But, come on.  It's Sondheim and it's Sweeney Todd AND it is buh-rilliant.  I have to include this on my list.  Tim Burton's near masterpiece of a musical adaptation remains true to the spirit of the original show but creates something uniquely its own.  Drenched in rivers of blood and bolstered by the performances of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (others disagree, but I thought they were superb) this movie captured my attention and took me on an amazing roller coaster ride that didn't stop until the closing credits.  This film elevates the movie musical to a whole new form.  I think it will open the door for  even more Broadway to screen transfers and attract A+++ talent to the genre!  Bravo.  Bravo.  Bravo.

6. 1001

Written by Jason Grote and presented by a small company called P73, this mesmerizing new play was easily one of my favorites of the year.  Epic and chaotic with a pulsing heart at the core, this new work had me thinking for weeks after - it just would not leave me alone.  Mr. Grote is an incredibly talented writer and we have not heard the last of him. 

7. Fuerzabruta

There is NOTHING like this show in New York City.  It almost defies explanation.  Part rock concert.  Part Cirque de Soleil.  Part dance.  Part sporting event.  Part underwater exhibit.  Completely ah-mazing.  Created by the team that brought us De La Guarda (an equally thrilling show that ran for years in NYC) Fuerzabruta is a singularly unique night at the theater.  I loved it and I know I will go back and see it several more times! 

8.  Oh, the Humanity and other Exclamations

Another entry from the Off-Broadway scene is this new work from Will Eno.  Presented at the Flea Theater in Tribeca and featuring  Marisa Tomei (say it with me, I love me some Marisa Tomei) this play is deceptive.  On the surface it can seem slight (4 short pieces told in under an hour) but as you watch it the depths of the piece are revealed slowly and surprisingly.  At once funny and extremely moving the play also announces the arrival of an amazing new talent; Brian Hutchinson.  Mr. Hutchison holds his own with Ms. Tomei (and more); his work in Oh, the Humanity is quite powerful and I expect that we will see more from him very soon.

9. The Dining Room

This play makes my Top Ten list because, simply put, it was one of the best directed plays of 2007.  Directed by Jonathan Silverstein and presented by the ever reliable Keen Company, this revival stuck with me long after the final bows.  A. R. Gurney's carefully crafted play placed in the wrong hands could have become nothing more than a play about a bunch of people talking about their dining room tables.  Helmed by Mr. Silverstein and aided by a top notch group of actors (Samantha Soule was a standout) and a superior design team, they created a rich and loving homage to a bygone era that still resonates today.  Praised by critics and embraced by audiences this expertly directed production easily makes my Top Ten.

10.  Hillary

I see a ton of readings and workshops throughout the year, so it only seems fitting that I include at least one on my Top Ten List.  Without question this slot goes to Hillary, a new play by Wendy Weiner and directed by Julie Kramer that was presented at the Public Theater by a company called New Georges.  The play examines the life and times of one of the most talked about women of our time, Hillary Clinton, and her relationship with (you guessed it) former Prez - Bill Clinton.  The workshop was smart, funny, moving, endlessly fascinating and thrilling.  It also featured rockin' performances by Mia Barron and Darren Pettie.  Now, I know I am a politics junky and I love me some Hill and Bill, but I think with the upcoming election the time is right for a production of this play.  I am looking forward to the full production of Hillary making my Top Ten list for 2008!

The Runners Up

Ten is such a limited number so I have to add in a few more things that I really liked this year.  God's Ear and Christina Kirk's heart-breaking performance, The Little Dog Laughed and Julie White's hysterical performance,  Passing Strange at The Public (soon to open on "the Broadway"), A Hard Heart by the Epic Theater Center and featuring an award worthy acting turn by Kathleen Chalfant and lastly Romeo & Juliet with Lauren Ambrose and Oscar Isaac at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

That is my list.  Take it or leave it.  Agree or disagree.  I would love to find out what you enjoyed this past year.  So, leave a comment and let me know.  All lists welcome!  On a final note - I have to say - my favorite thing about 2007 has been writing this blog (ahhhh).  No seriously, I have enjoyed working on Two On The Aisle immensely and I am really looking forward to 2008 (more openings, more gossip and - drum roll please- the Tonys!).  Ok, enough of the sentimentality - check back here for a different kind of list from 2007.  Until then, I will...

~See You On The Aisle