Last year I saw 36 shows. This year I saw 34, so a little drop from last year, but not too bad. 24 of those were in person, 10 were streaming, on Zoom, or in a movie theater. I saw two more in-person show than last year, and slightly fewer streaming shows.
I performed/read in the 2 Thornton Wilder Society readings, and one was a reading of my musical. 1 show was connected to an article I wrote. I watched no operas this year, which is odd. Last year it was 3.
I have highlighted my favorites. And after the favorites is the HUGE list of everything I saw. Then, I have listed some fun panels, exhibits, and events I also attended this year.
And shout out to Lincoln Center Theater, who produced 3 of my top 10 favorites, and Michael R. Jackson, whose work appeared twice on my top 10 favorites.
Top 10 Favorites (in no order, I swear):
Here Lies Love (Broadway)
The Bengsons (LCT3)
White Girl in Danger (Second Stage Theatre)
The Goodbye Girl (J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company)
The Beautiful Lady (LaMama)
Michael R. Jackson (LCT3)
Dark Disabled Stories (Public Theater/Bushwick Starr)
The Immortal Jellyfish Girl (Wakka Wakka/59E59)
The Gardens of Anuncia (Lincoln Center Theater)
Oliver (City Center Encores)
Runners Up (Also in no order):
Here We Are (The Shed)
The Shylock and the Shakespeareans (New Ohio Theater)
Dear World (City Center Encores)
I Can Get it For You Wholesale (Classic Stage)
The Shark is Broken (Broadway)
The Big List:
The Vicksburg Project (Harlem Stage)
Kimberly Akimbo (Broadway)
Tall Tales of El Mexicano Blanco (Green Room 42)
A John Hume and Friends Love Letter to Broadway (Green Room 42)
The Immortal Jellyfish Girl (Wakka Wakka/59E59)
Dark Disabled Stories (Public Theater/Bushwick Starr)
Dear World (City Center Encores)
The Sweet Hereafter (Polyphone Festival/FringeArts Philly)
Endgame (Irish Repertory Theatre)
Spirited Away (Live on Stage)
Michael R. Jackson (LCT3)
Oliver (City Center Encores)
The Bengsons (LCT3)
White Girl in Danger (Second Stage Theatre)
The Goodbye Girl (J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company)
The Beautiful Lady (LaMama)
Chutzpah! Yiddish Songs of Defiance (Yiddish Philharmonic Chorus/Merkin Hall)
Hair (Montreal)
David Marino (Chelsea Table and Stage)
The Shylock and the Shakespeareans (New Ohio Theater)
The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden and Queens of France (Thornton Wilder Society Reading)
How to Steal an Election (York Theater)
The Lieutenant (York Theater)
Here Lies Love (Broadway)
I Can Get it For You Wholesale (Classic Stage)
The Shark is Broken (Broadway)
Here We Are (The Shed)
Pal Joey (City Center)
Show Me Eternity (Culture Lab LIC)
Days of Rage Reading (Ripley Grier)
Christmas Joy (Essential Voices USA/St. Malachy’s/The Actor’s Chapel)
The Long Christmas Dinner (Thornton Wilder Society Reading)
The Gardens of Anuncia (Lincoln Center Theater)
Fat Ham (The Wilma Theater)
Miscellaneous Panels, Exhibits, and Events:
Disney 100 (Franklin Institute)
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Dara Horn Event
THE WALK! 23
Montreal Insectarium
Jardin Botanique de Montreal
Pride Run
The Path Forward: Remembering Willowbrook Screening and Panel (Job Path)
Keith York City Central Park Tour
Chicago History Museum
Architectural Boat Tour (Chicago)
The Art Institute of Chicago
Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K