Decade filled with significant events for local theater

Since every other columnist in the world has taken a look back at the decade, I'll join the pack. Here's what I feel are the 10 most significant local theater events in the past 10 years. Lists are so arbitrary, but so much fun to write.

10) The College of Southern Nevada's recent decision to move away from "mainstream" and present quality, little-known (to the general public anyway) works. This allowed the college to grow beyond being just another community playhouse and to give us something uniquely theirs.

9) The demise of Georgia Neu's Actors Repertory Theatre which left Vegas without a union theater company.

8) Signature Productions' growth into a professional-level producer of (mostly) traditional Broadway musicals. They bring new blood to some of our nation's greatest scripts.

7) The transformation of Super Summer Theatre (at the Spring Mountain Ranch) into a home for some of our best productions. How surprising to find outdoor shows as widely popular as they are critically acclaimed!

6) Las Vegas Little Theatre for growing not just in size but in contributions to the community. They've gone from one auditorium to three, started a playwriting competition (with the winning entry getting a full-scaled production), children's classes, guest speakers, readings by celebrity authors (such as Rita Rudner) and inexpensive rentals of space for other groups. LVLT constantly moves forward.

5) The Onyx Theatre's current "Naked Boys Singing" celebrating its 100th performance at 10 p.m. Saturday. This is a first in my memory. Most off-Strip productions run two or three weekends. The Onyx has somehow grabbed the interest of locals and tourists alike, proving, against all odds, it can be done.

4) The emergence of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Nevada Conservatory Theatre (founded by Robert Brewer). The NCT unites union performers with students (recruited from around the country) and community members. It's in the best position, as of now, to become our only professional company.

3) The success of the late "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay, and the current "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" (as well as perhaps the not quite proven but masterful "The Lion King," now at Mandalay Bay). These musicals suggest that Broadway may work just fine on the Strip -- providing the shows are a fit match and carefully marketed.

2) The recent critically and financially successful limited run at The Venetian of Chazz Palminteri's "A Bronx Tale." Who would believe that the Strip would have any interest in a beautifully layered, intensely dramatic one-man show? I predict Palminteri's success will allow similar miracles to happen again.

1) The rise in quality of acting in most theater troupes. Ten years ago, it was easy to pick out the talented performers because there were so few of them. Talented actors are now the norm.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas NV 89125.