1995 YEAR IN REVIEW : JAN HERMAN’S FAVORITE PRODUCTIONS

In chronological order:

* “Noises Off,” UC Irvine, Irvine Barclay Theatre, April. Looked great, sounded great--but, above all, hit the funny bone.

* “Brigadoon,” Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Plummer Auditorium, May. Lots of charm. See also Lads and Lasses Award.

* “Working,” Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theater, May. Winning performances by a huge cast. See also Blue Collar Award.

* “Venus and Adonis,” Shakespeare Orange County, Waltmar Theatre, June. Had everything, including Adonis’ lusty steed. See also Bronze It Award.

* “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” La Jolla Playhouse, Mandell Weiss Theatre, July. A jazzy update with a smashing concept.

* “An Almost Holy Picture,” La Jolla Playhouse, Mandell Weiss Forum, September. Tops in all departments. See also Best New Play Bar None Award.

* “Private Lives,” Alternative Repertory Theatre, October. Stylish, sexy, funny and resourceful. See also Carpe Diem Award.

* “Damn Yankees,” OCPAC, November. A knockout performance by Valerie Wright as Lola.

* “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Orange County Performing Arts Center, December. A gorgeous Broadway musical with real guts.

JAN HERMAN’S LEAST FAVORITE PRODUCTIONS

In chronological order:

* “The Misanthrope,” South Coast Repertory Mainstage, January. Dull, dull, dull.

* “Blood Brothers,” OCPAC, February. Dumb on all levels.

* “Stage Door Charley,” OCPAC, June. See Show Him the Door Award.

* “The Things You Don’t Know,” SCR Second Stage, September. Lumpish. See also Dysfunctional Comedy Award.

* “West Side Story,” OCPAC, October. See Bad Pasta Award.