Nominees: There was an array of musicals: "The King and I" (West Allis Players), "Annie," (Fireside and Sunset theaters), "Music Man" (Skylight Theatre), "Fiddler on the Roof," (Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and Carroll University) "Li’l Abner" (Lake Country Players) and "State Fair" (Waukesha Civic Theatre), representing the old standards; with "Urinetown" (University of Wisconsin-Waukesha), "Jacques Brel" (Skylight) and "Next to Normal" (Milwaukee Repretory Theater) showcasing some newer ones.

Critic’s choices: All were good productions, but "The King and I," "Annie," "Urinetown" and "Jacques Brel" were the standouts among very tough competition.

***

Nominees: Audiences were treated to a nostalgic look at singers and dancers from the past in Stackner Cabaret’s "Song Man Dance Man" and its tribute to Hank Williams, as well as to Motown and R&B singers, aspiring to perform in the Apollo in the 1960s in "From My Hometown."

Critic’s choice: The Hank Williams show was phenomenal for bringing the sad story of this country singer, his talent, and his early death, to life.

***

Nominees: Just a dab of Shakespeare was evident this year since the Milwaukee Shakespeare Company closed its doors. The Stackner Cabaret offered "The Bombitty of Errors," James DeVita had his fabulous solo show, outlining his journey from being a fisherman on Long Island to his career as a Shakespearian actor (Renaissance Theatreworks), and the Waukesha Civic Theatre tackled "Twelfth Night" with great success. And certainly one can’t forget "The Tempest" as performed so eloquently at the American Players in Spring Green. Critic’s choice: "The Tempest" is the winner here.

***

Nominees: Some racially significant dramas such as "Yellowman" (Steimke Theater), "Crumbs from the Table of Joy," (Renaissance Theatreworks), "Sojourner" (Acacia Theatre) and "Mama Rainey’s Black Bottom" (Milwaukee Rep) challenged us to take another look at how far we have or haven’t come in regard to the colorblind goal.

Critic’s choices: "Crumbs" and "Yellowman" compete for the honors in this category.

***

Nominees: Some other historic issues and figures were explored in "Columbinus" (UW-Waukesha), "The Miracle Worker" (Acacia Theatre), "Leopold and Loeb" (In Tandem Theatre), "Lombardi" (Milwaukee Rep) and "Lion in Winter" (Milwaukee Chamber).

Critic’s choices: Five- way tie here. All were very moving and memorable.

***

Nominees: Some unusual and brave productions included "A Brand New Brain" (Carroll University), "Exonerated" and "Four Places" (Next Act Theatre), "JB" (Wisconsin Lutheran College),"Omnium Gatherum" (Windfall Theatre) and "The Tavern" (Waukesha Civic Theatre). All deserve mention and praise. The last four that must be lauded are "Death of a Salesman" (Milwaukee Rep), "100 Dresses" (Children’s First Stage Theater) "Of Mice and Men" (American Players) and "Speaking in Tongues"

( Steimke).

Critic’s choices: All were provocative and compelling stories about relationships.

***

More: I also greatly admired "Marvin’s Room" (Wisconsin Lutheran), "Circle Mirror Transformation" (Boulevard Theatre), "The Dining Room" (Lake Country Players) and "Crimes of the Heart" (Milwaukee Chamber).

There’s never a shortage of good theater in the metro area, whether it be college, community or professional theater.

As one attendee at "Lombardi" said after witnessing that production, "Wow! This was really good. I think I’m going to go to (the) theater more often. I never saw anything like this."

Another enthusiast had trouble leaving the theater after seeing The Milwaukee Rep’s annual production of "A Christmas Carol." He said, "I can’t believe what I just saw. I forgot where I was; I was so caught up in this story."

See you next year at the theater, I hope.

Live performance provides a different experience than a movie. Check one out, or better yet, become a subscriber.