Vanguard tops in college

* EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of four columns reviewing the year in local theater.

“Let’s not mince words. Vanguard University’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’ is as good as local theater gets -- perhaps better.”

That was the introductory paragraph in this column’s review of that musical in April, and nothing has transpired since to augment that opinion. For the second consecutive year, a Vanguard musical has topped the list of local college theater shows (last year’s was “Brigadoon.”)

The director behind both of those stellar productions was Amick Byram, whose “excellent cast was assuredly up to the challenge” of “stretching the boundaries of comedy, musicality and poignancy.” It was, as this column stated, “a beautifully realized production.”

Shakespeare’s “Othello” ranks No. 2 on the year-end list, as presented at Orange Coast College under the direction of Alex Golson. This column labeled it “a full-blooded production” and a “stirring interpretation” of the classic tragedy.

Another Shakespearean work, the more obscure “Timon,” was presented at UC Irvine by veteran director Robert Cohen and finished third in the overall roundup. This column praised its “shattering power, most of it emanating from the actor in the title role.”

Also at UCI, “Seven Guitars” by the recently departed August Wilson, directed by Eli Simon, notched fourth-place honors. And Golson’s West Coast premiere production of the searing drama “A Patch of Earth” rounds out the top five college shows.

On an individual level, few performances could approach Sean Tarrant’s interpretation of the title role in UCI’s “Timon.” Susan Berkompas’ witch in Vanguard’s “Into the Woods” was an easy choice for best actress honors.

Memorable performances at OCC in 2005 included James Grant, Sean F. Gray and Kate McDermott, all from “Othello”; Stephen Gordon, “Valentines From Vonnegut”; Courtney Barr, “ ‘night, Mother”; Michelle Merlino, “I Ought to Be in Pictures”; and Amy Barklow and Andrew Vonderschmitt, both for “A Patch of Earth.”

Excelling individually at Vanguard were A.J. Teaters and Kathryn Scott, “Oklahoma Rigs;” Paul Hanegan and Sarah Grandpre, “Into the Woods;” Michael Mulligan, “Into the Woods” and “Schoolhouse Rock;” Kelsey Cooke and Jordan Byers, “Schoolhouse Rock;” and Colleen Warner, “As It Is in Heaven.”

Acting standouts at UCI included Daren Herbert, “Seven Guitars;” Omar Ricks, “Seven Guitars” and “Timon;” and Katherine McLaughlin, “Seussical.”

This concludes our annual look back at local productions and performances in 2005 on the professional, community and collegiate levels. Next week this column will bring two outstanding individuals front and center as the Daily Pilot’s 2005 man and woman of the year in theater.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Fridays.