END OF THE YEAR REVIEW:

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of year-end reviews of local theater productions.

Stephen Sondheim’s infrequently revived musical comedy “A Little Night Music” found audiences in two Costa Mesa venues during 2007.

At South Coast Repertory it ranked second only to “Hamlet” on this columnist’s annual assessment, but at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse it was numero uno.

The playhouse’s production of “Night Music,” directed by Jason Holland, clearly headed the field among the offerings from the Civic Playhouse and the Newport Theater Arts Center, the city’s two community theater operations.

Quoting from this column’s review of the show, “Holland and musical director Stephen Hulsey have created an eminently enjoyable production, enhanced by Ginger Johnson’s delicate choreography.”

It is “an ambitious undertaking and the rewards of extra effort are splendidly displayed.”

Three Newport productions follow in second, third and fourth positions.

Runner-up for 2007 honors was “Sight Unseen,” David Margulies’ intimate drama, directed by David Colley “with intellect, passion and humor.”

“Bus Stop,” reviving a vintage William Inge dramatic comedy, placed third and was staged by Phyllis Gitlin. Michael Ross’ production of John Guare’s “House of Blue Leaves” was fourth, followed by the Costa Mesa rendition of “The Full Monty,” under the direction of David Blair.

As for individual performance honors, Newport held a decided edge with the two top interpretations — Peter Stone as the gin-soaked professor in “Bus Stop” and Teri Ciranna as the foxy grandma in “Crossing Delancey.”

Also ranking high on the interpretive scale were Robert Fetes, Kip Hogan and Harriet Whitmyer, all for “House of Blue Leaves,” Tara Henry for Costa Mesa’s “The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild” and Susan Seely in “Crossing Delancey.”

Other notable performances were etched by Mitchell Cohen in “Sight Unseen,” Susan Bartolme and Paul Breazeale, both for “Bus Stop,” Lori Kelley in “House of Blue Leaves” and Elizabeth Bouton in “A Little Night Music.”

Local collegiate theater also enjoyed some outstanding moments during 2007, and Part 3 of this year-end salute will pay tribute to these. The final episode will honor the Daily Pilot’s 2007 man and woman of the year in theater.