Key City Public Theatre was the most prolific live theatre in our county in 2012. Over the past year, I reviewed a total of nine local shows. These were (in date order): 'Parrot' (Key City Public Theatre), 'PRNYC' (Key City), 'The Rug' (Key City), 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris' (Key City), 'The Art Of Dining' (Key City), '12th Night, Or What You Will' (Key City), 'Rosebud: The Lives Of Orson Welles' (touring show by The Paradise Theatre School), 'Woyzeck' (Key City), and 'This Wonderful Life' (Key City).

I also saw, but did not review, three other local shows: 'And I, Pluto's Only Cactus' (The Chameleon Theater), 'Hansel and Gretl' (Paradise/Theatre Schmeater show), and 'The Hostage' (Port Townsend High School).

2012 Jeffy Award(s)

My 2012 Jeffy for best live theatre show in Jefferson County is awarded to three exhilarating productions: (1) 'Jacques Brel Is Alive & Well & Living In Paris' delivered rousing songs in a French cabaret. (2) 'Rosebud: The Lives Of Orson Welles' starred a terrific actor born to embody Orson's gargantuan ambition. (3) 'Woyzeck', a theatre-in-the-raw powerhouse that drove passion to the very edge.

Favorite One-Act Production

Of three locally written plays reviewed in 2012, my favorite is 'PRNYC' by Mark Rose. This nicely paced well-cast show traces the rise of the office nice guy in a snake pit inhabited by Public Relations professionals.

Standout Acting Performances

Standout acting performances in 2012 include: Erik Van Beuzekom (ORSON WELLES in 'Rosebud'); Eben Hoffer, Abigail Kiser, Zachary Hewell, Lawrason Driscoll (WOYZECK, MARIE, DRUM MAJOR, CAPTAIN in 'Woyzeck'); Charlie Bethel, Rosaletta Curry, David Natale (FESTE, MARIA, MALVOLIO in '12th Night'); Peter Wiant, Kelly McNees, Michael Vicha (WAN DERSHON, HEATHER INGALLS, PETER RILEY in 'PRNYC'); Jeff Allen Pierce, Cynthia Boelling, John Boelling, Janna Marit (in 'Jacques Brel'); Charlie Bethel (in 'This Wonderful Life'), Angela Amos, Scott Nollette, Amanda Steurer, Peter Wiant, Denise Fleener (ELIZABETH BARROW COLT, CAL, ELLEN, PAUL & HANNAH GAULT in 'Art of Dining'); Hewitt Brooks (GEORGE in 'The Rug'), and, Rosie Lambert, Jason Altamirano, and Emily Huntingford (in 'The Hostage').

Notable Backstage Talent

Notable backstage personnel in 2012 were: directors: Denise Winter ('Jacques Brel'), Sarah E.R. Grosman ('Woyzeck'), Angela Amos ('PRNYC'), Lawrason Driscoll ('Art of Dining'), Pattie Miles ('Rosebud'), Charlie Bethel ('12th Night'); music director: David Schroeder ('Jacques Brel'); set designers: Abbie Green ('Art of Dining'), Jennifer Nielsen ('The Hostage'), Terry Tennesen ('12th Night', 'Jacques Brel'); costume designers: Ginger McNew ('Art of Dining'), Beverly Michaelson ('Jacques Brel'), Colleen Dobbin ('12th Night', 'This Wonderful Life'), Erin McNamara ('Woyzeck'); lighting designers: Karen Anderson ('Art of Dining', 'Woyzeck'), Albert Mendez ('Jacques Brel'); sound designers: Eben Hoffer ('Woyzeck'); Adam Matthew ('Art of Dining'); and, local composer: Richard Andriessen ('Woyzeck').

[NOTE: Steve Treacy is a current member of American Theatre Critics Association, International Association of Theatre Critics, Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, and Dramatists Guild of America. He just played the lead in 'Useful.Valid.True', a short film by David Golden, Shoreline Productions.]