Not really. More like Best Plays and Concerts and other Live Performances of 2010. But it's not a list of the best, either. It's more like a list of those live performances that I happened to see in 2010. Still, it's traditional to do a "best of ..." list at the end of the year, so that's the title I'm going with.
After the jump, the list along with my Twitter review for each.
- Jekyll & Hyde at RCT: Energetic show with some great local singers. Great use of small space. Support your local Richardson theater.
- Deathtrap at Grapevine's Runway Theater: A whodunnit where nothing is as it seems, including the murder. A great production top to bottom.
- "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)" by Lake Highlands HS. Just like the title says. Infectious fun (watch out for the vomit).
- "The Complete History of America (Abridged)" at Richardson HS: Hilarious show put on by sophomores. Last night. You missed a lot of fun.
- The Greeks, at RHS: clever pairing of ancient tragedy and comedy. Great script, sets, costumes, acting. Actors got into it. So did audience.
- Les Misérables by LHHS: classic tale of poverty, redemption and justice. Great performances, sets and lighting by Lake Highlands.
- Fiddler on the Roof at Richardson JJ Pearce HS. Russia. Pogroms. Set it to music and it's more fun than it sounds. Lynn Shaw would be proud.
- The Sound of Music at Berkner HS: Great show, always inspirational, with shout-outs to the nun moms, little Gretel and especially Maria.
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Richardson HS: Joseph is the lead but the chorus is equally the star in a great production.
- Eisemann Center’s season includes Oak Ridge Boys, Paul Taylor Dance Company, A Tuna Christmas and ABBA MANIA. Sigh. Except for dance, maybe.
- The Richardson Symphony Orchestra is "in a toxic mess." You can't support music without supporting the musicians.
- What's the difference between an RSO musician and a pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four (H/T to Wanderer)
- The Complete World of Sports (abridged), by the Reduced Shakespeare Company: Just what the title says. Zany. Manic. See it at the Eisemann.
- Festival of Drums & Bugles at Lake Highlands HS tonight and Friday. Top corps from the nation. Support the kids.
- Air Force Academy Band at Richardson HS: rousing concert with something for all, from Sousa to salsa, opera to Broadway. Where do I sign up?
- US Marine Band played Hindemith's Metamorphosis. I remember Berkner's Mighty Ram Band playing the "March" from that in 2004. Great memories.
- Monday: RISD Band Showcase. Tuesday: US Marine Band. Marching band plays Mozart. Concert band plays Sousa. What's up with that?