With as many quality theatrical offerings as we can access in a given year, it is always a challenge to pick the best of the best.

But it is also fun thinking back on the more than 100 plays and trying to give fair awards to the most worthy 20 percent.

On the college stages, the three best were "Proof," presented by Carroll University, where a mathematically talented family struggles with relational problems that exceed academic rivalries.

Wisconsin Lutheran tapped into dramatic history with its very impressive rendition of Chekhov’s "The Seagull," capturing a world where cultural changes were wreaking havoc on a traditional societal system.

The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha graced the stage with a rousing production of Studs Terkel’s musical, "Working," where we learn to appreciate the unique contribution of various types of workers in the larger picture.

James Zager, Jan Gompper and Steve Decker deserve mention respectively for their stellar work with budding student-actors.

There was a bevy of fine community theaters in Waukesha County.

Sunset Playhouse’s best of 2009 was "Deathtrap," an intriguing murder mystery in which Paul Troglia and Mark Neufang shone as the competitive writers.

Waukesha Civic Theatre delighted us with its version of "Seussical Musical," a spectacle of colorful costumes, clever rhymes, and zany characters.

Honorable mention goes to three musical productions: the Lake Country Players’ version of "South Pacific," Acacia Theatre at Concordia University with its memorable production of "Little Women" and Shorewood Players’ toe-tapping rendition of "42nd Street."

Small professional theaters gifted us with "Stations of the Cross," an amusing look at the trials of waitering which played at The Boulevard, "The New Century," an RSVP production in which we encounter various attitudes toward homosexuality, and Off the Wall’s version of the classic "La Cage des Folles," a more flamboyant treatment of a similar theme.

At the slightly larger professional venues in the area, Stackner Cabaret’s "Soultime at the Apollo" delivered the rich musical legacy of the Apollo Theatre in Harlem with a very versatile Melanie McCullough and C. E. Smith tunefully sharing the stage.

Steimke kept us amused with an Italian comedy called "Mirandolina," in which a shrewd innkeeper deals with a number of vying suitors. Deborah Staples and Brian Vaughn provided most of the laughs in this one.

Next Act’s "Going to St. Ives," a tense drama between two women of power, was movingly interpreted by Laura Gordon and Ora Jones.

In Tandem’s "Wicked Old Songs" dealt with a seasoned maestro and an up-and-coming, talented musician and what they contributed to each other’s growth on a professional and personal level. Richard Carsey was especially gripping in his role as Professor Mashcan.

"The Smell of the Kill" certainly caught our attention, thanks to Renaissance Theaterworks’ darkly delicious rendering.

The choice of best for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre was very difficult, for three of its offerings were of equal merit: "Brooklyn Boy," "Picnic" and "Moon over the Brewery." They were all moving accounts of various human relationships and the difficulties they entail.

First Stage Children’s Theatre’s "Junie" edged out "A Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by a hair, but both were delightful entertainments with morals for children to learn from amid a banquet of sights and sounds and surprises.

Last on the docket for special honors is The Milwaukee Rep’s lovely reprise of "Pride and Prejudice," Jane Austen’s classic tale of the mores of 18th century England when a family of moderate means with five daughters deals with the issue of marriage.

Fireside Dinner Theater took on "The Sound of Music" very successfully, and Skylight revived music from the 1950s with a clever, catchy and tuneful production called "Plaid Tidings."

Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," as created by The Milwaukee Rep, must be mentioned in closing for its rich array of music and memories as we entered the Christmas season.

Sadly, some local theater groups, such as Milwaukee Shakespeare, did not survive the season. We wish them a speedy return. We also missed Bialystock and Bloom, who had contributed so much over the past decade.

But overall, there was certainly no dearth of quality theatrical productions to choose from.

I look forward to another year of rich dramatic, comedic and musical fare in 2010 and invite you to join us frequently.