Hedwig and the Angry Inch February 22 in Raleigh at Legends www.realtheatre.org. Well-performed and -staged. Only one song really grabbed me (The Origin of Love, I think is the title). I'm glad I brought ear plugs, and I'm glad there wasn't much smoking.

The Drowsy Chaperone February 12-17, 2008 in Raleigh at Broadway Series South was lots of fun. Went to see it with Howard, who also enjoyed it. I'm still snickering about various parts of the very self-referential show. Well-performed and very clever and funny and aware of musical theater cliches to make fun of. Definitely recommend.

Went to see Sweeney Todd at Company Carolina on February 2, 2008 in Chapel Hill.

The actor playing Sweeney Todd was impressive. The best performance that I've been able to see up close. Lots variety and intensity. Mrs. Lovett was also good, though unevenly able to match Sweeney. Beadle Banford was also impressively smarmy. Anthony, Joanna, the judge, the Beggar Woman all had impressive moments, and Toby was disconcertingly agonizing during the contest and losing it at the end of the show.

The choral numbers were overwhelmed by the orchestra. Mic problems marred some of the numbers, particularly disappointingly Joanna's.

Glad I went to see it.