Bear Likes Broadway

I was fortunate to see a lot of theatre in 2022. Here are my favorite productions in 2022, in no particular order.

Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway)

This was the first show I saw on my secret January peak-omicron NYC trip, added at the last minute.  I found this show so moving, I cried on the way back to my hotel.  As with many shows like this, I also briefly became a Temptations superfan.  I’m looking forward to seeing it again.

MJ (Broadway)

I sort of had low expectations for a musical about Michael Jackson.  I mean, how can you get that right?  But they figured it out.  Myles Frost gave a powerful and nuanced performance that captured the excitement of a Michael Jackson concert AND the fragility of off-stage Michael.

Into the Woods (Broadway)

There was a lot of buzz about Into the Woods this year, mostly because of the stellar, all-star cast.  By the time I saw it in November, the cast had been largely swapped out, but I still got an amazing cast featuring Stephanie J Block and Brian d’Arcy James.  Top notch performances.

& Juliet (Broadway)

I was bummed out that my friend couldn’t make it to this one, but that meant an empty seat next to me, lol.  & Juliet is a jukebox musical featuring music by Max Martin, who did all the big pop hits in the late 90s (Britney, Backstreet Boys, NSync, Bon Jovi and Celine, to name a few). This show is so much fun, and it’s hilarious.  I laughed out loud several times.  The production also looked really great.  There was a moment where Juliet was dancing to a Ke$ha song, and there was glitter in the air.  The image really stuck with me.  Looked amazing.

Oklahoma (Ahmanson in Los Angeles)

I had seen this production on Broadway, and it’s an oddball.  Knowing what I was getting myself into, I was able to fully enjoy it this time around.
For the role of Ado Annie, in lieu of Ali Stroker’s wheelchair performance, actress Sis played the part.  She’s a BIG girl and played the part in a funny and innovative new way. 

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe (Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles)

It was fun to see Calista Flockhart on stage as Martha, but the star of the show was Zahary Quinto as George.  He really showed his acting chops.  It’s a long show, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Come Fall in Love (Old Globe Theatre in San Diego)

Come Fall in Love is a musical romantic comedy based on a popular Indian film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”.  La Jolla Playhouse premiered a Bhangra musical this year called Bhangin’ It, which I had been very excited about but found thoroughly disappointing.  But Come Fall in Love, which also has (to wildly generalize) Bollywood-esque moments, cracked the formula.  It’s wonderful.  I knew we were in for a treat during the opening scene where we see a man singing to animatronic pigeons, then mid-song, the set completely opens up to a giant, elaborate dance number.

Everybody’s Talking about Jamie (Ahmanson in Los Angeles)

Jamie, the story of a young drag queen finding himself, was a big hit in London and never made it to Broadway.  But luckily it did make it to LA.  This show is such a celebration of being young and gay and also about being aware of WHO you are and how you choose to treat others.

Light in the Piazza (California Center for the Arts, Escondido)

CCAE is a relatively new theatre company with very high ambition.  They’re really trying to bring unique shows at the highest quality possible.  Light in the Piazza felt like the same level of quality I would expect in New York.  A great way to see this musical for the first time.

KPOP (Broadway)

I will admit that KPOP was not a perfect show, by any means.  But this list isn’t the best shows of 2022, it’s my favorite shows of 2022.  I was completely obsessed with this show leading up to my November trip.  I tracked down most of the songs, partially thanks to up-and-coming Broadway composer Helen Park’s Soundcloud, and I’m still obsessing about it.  KPOP was such an original show for Broadway, and it’s a shame that it didn’t land the way the producers hoped it would.  I hope it finds a new life elsewhere.