Well, here we are, at the end of another year. And as tradition dictates, the last thing I need to do before ringing in 2014 is tell you what my favorite shows were this year. Per previous years’ rules, my selections come from the 47 professional productions I saw for the first time in 2013. Here goes!

1. “Slipping” by Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
As a critic, it’s tempting to err on the side of seeing more tried-and-true productions than new works—after all, when you know a show is hard to mess up, it increases the likelihood that the production will be good, and no one wants to watch a bad production. I think Rattlestick Playwright’s Theater does interesting work in New York, so I was interested in seeing their Los Angeles premiere, and “Slipping” ended up being a most delightful surprise, and one of my favorite productions of all time. Read Katie’s review here.

2. “Pippin” on Broadway
“Pippin” is one of those shows I’d heard of and heard about so many times, but had never had a chance to see. How glad I was for my first production to be Diane Paulus’ revival! Her “Pippin” sets the story of Charlemagne’s son in a circus setting (with help from Gypsy Snider and Les Sept Doigts de la Main) and is nothing short of astounding.

3. “Merrily We Roll Along” on the West End
Without a doubt, “Merrily We Roll Along” is a difficult production to stage, tracing the lives of Franklin Shepard and his friends Charley and Mary back from the pinnacle of Frank’s success to their days as struggling artists. Like “Pippin,” I’d never seen “Merrily,” but I was already in love with the music, which may be my favorite Sondheim score. Director Maria Friedman’s London production was everything I ever wanted from a production of the show and more. Luckily, it has been recorded, and can be rented or bought from Digital Theatre here.

4. “The Last Five Years” off-Broadway
Keeping up with the time-travelling theme, Jason Robert Brown’s production of his musical about a couple tracing their story from beginning to end (and end to beginning) was masterfully performed by Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor. Brown’s score has narrated the youths of many a musical theater fan, and it was a treat to see the show fully staged with a wonderful cast. Read Katie’s analysis of the show here.

5. “The Motherfucker with the Hat” at Studio Theatre
I’d heard good things about “The Motherfucker with the Hat,” so I saw it on a whim while I was in D.C. and was very happily surprised. Stephen Adley Gurgis’ play is a wonderful example of taut storytelling, and Serge Seiden’s production kept the action moving along nimbly.

6. “Humor Abuse” at the Mark Taper Forum
I have to say, I wasn’t immediately enthralled by the idea of “Humor Abuse”: a one-man show about the circus at the Taper (a venue that, for me, is very hit or miss, with more and more productions I find to be “misses”)? Well, Lorenzo Pisoni’s show is proof of just how wrong my preconceived notions of a show can be. A wonderful piece of storytelling, I’m thoroughly thankful I decided to see “Humor Abuse.” Read Katie’s review here.

7. “Cinderella” on Broadway
To me, the current production of “Cinderella” is everything a stereotypical Broadway musical should be. Featuring a charming cast, a beautiful score, breathtaking costumes, delightful dancing, and a clever book, “Cinderella” just makes me happy, and really, isn’t that the point of a show like “Cinderella”? Read Katie’s review here.

8. “Triassic Parq” at Chance Theatre
It’s no secret that I love “Triassic Parq” (the original off-Broadway production was one of my favorite shows last year), and I was delighted by Chance Theatre’s heartfelt production in Anaheim Hills. Featuring some slight alterations to the book and score, I’ve enjoyed watching this velociraptor grow up. Read Katie’s review here.

9. “Peter and the Starcatcher” at the Ahmanson
I suppose it’s kind of cheating to include the national tour of a production I included last year, but if anything, I enjoyed “Peter and the Starcatcher” even more upon a second viewing (even if I did sorely miss Christian Borle’s Black Stache, though not due to any deficiency on his successor’s part). A wonderful story about the nature of theater and childhood, “Peter and the Starcatcher” is an important addition to the American theatrical landscape. Read Katie’s review here.

10. “The Cripple of Inishmaan” on the West End
Daniel Radcliffe has successfully defeated typecasting. I honestly didn’t think he’d be able to do it—Harry Potter is an incredibly iconic role. But he’s done it. I was thoroughly engaged by his J. Pierrepont Finch in the recent revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” but I thought maybe that role was a fluke—maybe the slicked back hair and American accent and singing were enough to make me forget about “The Boy Who Lived.” But as Michael Grandage’s well-done production of Martin McDonagh’s darkly comedic “The Cripple of Inishmaan” proved, Radcliffe is a very capable actor, and we’re lucky to have him.

Best actor: Seth Numrich in “Golden Boy”/“Slipping”/“Sweet Bird of Youth.”
Hands down, Numrich was my favorite actor of the year. Playing a boxer coming from next-to-nothing, a teenager just trying to get by, and an aging actress’s insouciant lover, Numrich proved that he really can do anything, and excel at whatever he does. Read Katie’s interview with Numrich here.

Best actress: Besty Wolfe in “The Last Five Years.”
I’d enjoyed Wolfe’s performance in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” but it was her turn as Cathy in “The Last Five Years” that really blew me away. Given the difficult task of telling a love story from finish to start, Wolfe was utterly heartbreaking in all the best ways.

Best TV/film star in a musical: Arthur Darvill in “Once.”
Okay, I’m a huge “Doctor Who” fan, but I didn’t really have an opinion one way or the other on Darvill—until I saw him in “Once.” I greatly enjoyed Steve Kazee’s Tony-winning performance, but Darvill provided a different, but equally valid take on the character, supported by an impressive set of pipes.

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For more “Best of 2013” coverage, click here.

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