Throughout the year I assign “Critic’s Picks” to noteworthy theatrical productions. As 2012 draws to a close, it seems like a good time to take a look back at some shows that made the grade.   

What makes Bruce Cromer one of our region’s best actors? He’s especially good at virtuous characters such as Atticus Finch, the admirable, broadminded attorney in To Kill a Mockingbird, a role he’s currently playing for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC).  

Mockingbird is about the importance of tolerance and understanding, something not achieved in these circumstances but that seems possible eventually. Those sparks of hope have made this a meaningful tale for a half-century, and CSC has brought the story to life.