Amy Salter Cincinnati

Take a Bow

Things didn’t work out quite as planned: The erratically conceived Acclaims are no more, and the League of Cincinnati Theatres plans to launch a new program for the 2011-2012 season that will not be connected with any media organization. We wish the new, yet-to-be-named program the best, but it seemed a shame to let the 2010-2011 season fade to black with the haphazard citations dispensed by the Acclaims in a brief May 23 ceremony as the only evaluation of what was great onstage. What follows is my own personal “Best of Cincinnati Theater” for the 2010-2011 season. In roughly chronological order, I’ve ranged across nine producing organizations and identified a dozen or so outstanding shows. Along the way I touch on several others worth seeing. My purpose is to offer a reminder that excellent theater can happen on every stage in town: Just pay attention — and be willing to take a few chances. (Aug. 20-Sept. 4). The Carnegie is a newcomer in staging its own productions with local talent. Theater Hall of Famers Ed Cohen and Dee Anne Bryll put this one together using an excellent cast of students, several from the College-Conservatory of Music. Zack Steele played the ebullient Huck and Deondra Means was excellent as Jim, his slave friend. (Carnegie’s spring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel (Oct. 9-30). The lyrical love story, both a lifetime and the blink of an eye, traced the passions of a relationship — including heart-rending emotional and gripping physical combat between a man and a woman — holding audiences rapt attention for 90 minutes. Performances by local performer Beth Harris and visiting actor Jens Rasmussen were among the best onstage anywhere this season. (Feb. 18-March 13) that added numerous performances to satisfy audience demand. Guest directed by Ensemble Theatre’s D. Lynn Meyers, the production was highlighted by Sara Clark’s engaging portrait of Austen’s beloved heroine, the spirited, independent Elizabeth Bennet. Her frustrated chemistry with Ian Bond’s Mr. Darcy was especially fun to watch. (March 17-April 9), the story of a family of quilters in an isolated Alabama river community that manages to portray the path of many African Americans during the 20th century. A sterling cast included Bakesta King as the plain-spoken central character and Nikkole Salter as her tart-tongued sister.