Orlando Theater Best of 2022: Leading Actor, Musical
They played a demented barber, an almost nun and a spirited young woman from a small provincial town. Here are the 2022 Orlando Sentinel honorees for leading actor in a musical as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad spectrum of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected by me for this 2022 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated the theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/arts to see the honorees in other fields, and check back on Dec. 20 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
Patrece Bloomfield
Trav’lin: A 1930s Harlem Musical Romance > Winter Park Playhouse
As the long-wronged Billie in February’s “Trav’lin,” Patrece Bloomfield held the show together. Bloomfield made the most of her character, at times comic, stubborn, frustrating, loving and tragic — but always compelling. From Bloomfield’s first entrance, performing a soulful and raw “Empty Bed Blues,” the audience was squarely on Billie’s side.
∇ ∇ ∇
Faith Boles
Oliver! > Theater at St. Luke’s
In a tricky role — Nancy, the woman with compassion for children but unwilling to leave abusive Bill — Faith Boles pulled out all the stops in July’s “Oliver!” When she sang “As Long As He Needs Me,” the hurt, pride, love and determination of every woman in such a relationship poured out from the depths of her soul. In a play full of deeply emotional moments, Boles provided a true showstopper. Boles was previously honored for her performance in Winter Park Playhouse’s 2020 production of “Beehive.”
∇ ∇ ∇
Rebecca Fisher
Sweeney Todd > New Generation Theatrical
Rebecca Fisher’s pie-shop owner isn’t as fluttery as some in July’s “Sweeney Todd.” Cleverly there was no attempt to hide the shrewdness and the baser instincts that guide this cook, and Fisher was all the more delicious to watch for that. Her comic timing was top-notch, as well. Fisher has been honored for her acting twice before, most recently in 2018 for her performance in Mad Cow Theatre’s “The Royal Family.”
∇ ∇ ∇
John Gracey
Five Golden Rings > Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse
In December’s “Five Golden Rings: A Greeting Card Channel Holiday Musical,” John Gracey perfectly understood the humorous intent while still making the audience care about his parody character. In a flannel shirt and with just the right amount of stubble to be rugged but sensitive, Gracey carefully balanced sincerity with the knowing winks to the audience about the tropes he embodied. Gracey was previously honored in 2019 for his acting in CFCArts’ “Next to Normal,”
∇ ∇ ∇
Da’Zaria Harris
Beauty and the Beast > Garden Theatre
Da’Zaria Harris magnificently found the most important characteristic of Belle in April’s “Beauty and the Beast”: She made the audience feel like any one of us could be in her shoes. Through her singing and vocal delivery, Belle’s spirit and strength shone out.
∇ ∇ ∇
Kevin Kelly & Jared Troilo
Murder for Two > Winter Park Playhouse
Kevin Kelly and Jared Troilo share this honor because, well, so tight was their double act in August’s “Murder for Two,” I can’t separate the performances in my mind. Sharing the stage nearly the entire play — and sharing the piano, as well — the two gave a master class in comic timing, vocal performance and how to always make sure your comic scene partner is as funny as you are. Kelly was previously honored, in 2017, for playing the opposite role in this show.
∇ ∇ ∇
Dayja Le’Chelle
The Sound of Music > Theatre South Playhouse
In December’s The Sound of Music,” Dayja Le’Chelle captured the purity of spirit and frank, open heart of Maria in a lovely and honest performance. And her singing beautifully mirrored Maria’s journey from naiveté to confidence.
∇ ∇ ∇
Radamés Medina Meléndez
On Your Feet! > Garden Theatre
Because most of the world knows more about Gloria Estefan than her husband, Emilio, you might think Radamés Medina Meléndez would have had a difficult time in “On Your Feet,” the musical about their lives staged in July. But Meléndez instantly conveyed the lightness of Emilio that must balance the seriousness of Gloria to make the musical work. And Meléndez won over the audience by perfectly capturing his character’s tropical-breezy charm with grace — and mercifully without cockiness. Meléndez was previously honored, in 2021, for playing Sancho in the Garden’s “Man of La Mancha.”
∇ ∇ ∇
Alex Mrazek
Sweeney Todd > New Generation Theatrical
Tackling one of the most iconic roles in musical theater, Alex Mrazek made it his own. With a chilling baritone and tightly controlled rage, Mrazek showed his audience what it truly means to be haunted — and how the desire for revenge withers the soul. Mrazek was previously honored, in 2018, for his work in Orlando Shakes’ “The Luckiest People.”
∇ ∇ ∇
Kellie Rhianne
She Loves Me > Theater West End
In November’s “She Loves Me,” Kellie Rhianne beautifully created a fully realized character, as her sparkling soprano enlivened “Will He Like Me” and the delightful “Vanilla Ice Cream.” Her vocal delivery — sometimes breathless, sometimes earnest — only added to her charm. Rhianne was previously honored, in 2018, for her role in Theater West End’s “The Color Purple.”
Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts, facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/arts. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
