THEATER REVIEW:

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of four columns reviewing the year 2007 in local theater.

There’s something about Stephen Sondheim that brings out the best in production companies.

South Coast Repertory and the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse both scored high on the charts with separate productions of “A Little Night Music” and now “Sunday in the Park With George” captures top honors among local college drama departments.

UCI’s production of “Sunday,” directed by Eli Simon, stood head and shoulders above the collegiate fare in 2007. Of that terrific show, this column remarked, “Music, art and drama intertwine seamlessly in one of the finest productions ever offered by a local institution of higher learning.”

The university’s rendition of “Urinetown,” under the direction of Myrona DeLaney, capturing the runner-up honors. “DeLaney’s student cast excels at this grotesque lampoonery,” was a comment from this column.

Ranked third among the productions from three local collegiate groups was Vanguard University’s staging of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” directed by Amick Byram, followed by director Susan Berkompas’ rollicking version of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” also at Vanguard.

Two OCC shows also earned high honors. Student Sean Engard’s original script of “Air Born,” the story of the Wright Brothers, was knotted with the intriguing “Redwood Curtain” in fifth position.

As might be expected, “Sunday in the Park With George” also collected multiple individual accolades. Actors Jeffrey Parker, Karin Hendricks, Benjamin Mathes and Jason Vande Brake all excelled in the UCI production, as did Tony McConville and Laura D’Andre in “Urinetown.”

Andy Christensen’s raucous Sir Toby Belch in “Twelfth Night” set the pace among Vanguard performers, and he also impressed in “The Glass Menagerie.” In a companion piece spoofing the latter play, Brianna Sehorn stole the show in “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls.”

Tops among the OCC actors were Taylor McDermott in “Amphitryon 38” and Robynn Pate in “Redwood Curtain.” Also impressive was Tim Zimmer in “The Zoo Story.”

This year also marked the birth of a professional troupe on a college stage. The American Coast Theater Company debuted at Vanguard with a stunning production of Tennessee Williams’ magnum opus “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Look for a return visit from this impressive and ambitious bunch next summer.

In the final chapter of this column’s year-end assessment of local theater, two individuals whose work was of particular merit during 2007 will be recognized as the Daily Pilot’s man and woman of the year in theater.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.