On the Fort Worth theater scene this year, it was all about blocking. Not just "cross stage left" but "cross Mapsco grids." Hip Pocket Theatre celebrated its 28th season by leaving its longtime home at Oak Acres and building a new stage in the same part of town, on the site of a former gun range. Stage West officially moved into the Fort Worth Community Arts Center at the end of 2003, but it settled comfortably into its new home in 2004, preferring the more-intimate Sanders Theatre over the larger Scott.

Even where there weren't moving vans involved, there was change. Theatre Arlington got new seats (from Stage West's former home); and, after years of relocation rumors, Jubilee Theatre announced a renovation. It will reopen in mid-January. And although the controversial renovation of Casa Mañana was completed in 2003, 2004 was the year that the theater tried to figure out what does and doesn't work in the space. The producers may be working on that problem for a few more seasons.

Over in Dallas, a number of newish theater companies proved themselves to be serious players, including Classical Acting Company, Risk Theater Initiative and Second Thought Theatre Company. And controversy presided over three daring productions: Shakespeare's R&J at Plano Repertory Theatre, Topdog/Underdog at Dallas Theater Center and The Wild Party at Theatre Three.

But for this critic, it was the year of the Circle. After several seasons of consistently solid-but-not-great fare, Circle Theatre was in top form, showing North Texas audiences how theater is done.

The year's best theater productions

1 A Moon for the Misbegotten, Circle Theatre: Director Susan Sargeant knows that if you're going to take on a challenge like this Eugene O'Neill bear, then you better do it justice. And she did, starting with casting Heather Henry as Josie, in what was the year's best performance.

2 Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Stage West: For its 25th-anniversary season, Stage West gave its third production of this cabaret revue and proved why the show has been so popular. Terrific singing, interpretation and staging.

3 A Room of One's Own, Amphibian Productions: Take three amazing women (writer Virginia Woolf, actress Anne-Lynn Kettles and director Sharon Benge), blend and serve. Brilliant.

4 Volver, Teatro Dallas: Cora Cardona's staging of Tomas Urtusastegui's beautifully written drama about two Uruguayan sisters was as stunning as the dance form that inspired it: the tango.

5 What's Inside the Egg?, Hip Pocket Theatre: Lake Simons is emerging as a gifted puppeteer, as this lovely puppet performance piece proved. Her mentor, renowned puppeteer Basil Twist, even came for the opening.

6 Blasted, Undermain Theatre: Sarah Kane's drama featured an explosion, guns, blood, rape, eye-gouging and cannibalism. And actor-centric director Katherine Owens didn't back down from any of it. Hard to watch. Impossible to forget.

7 Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dallas Theater Center: Richard Hamburger's reimagining of Dario Fo's political satire was timely, hilarious and wonderfully silly.

8 God's Man in Texas, Circle Theatre: Circle one-upped Theatre Three, which staged this David Rambo play two years ago with two-thirds of the same cast, with even tighter direction and a more emotionally powerful staging. Directed by Rene Moreno.

9 Bessie Smith: Empress of the Blues, Jubilee Theatre: Sheran Goodspeed-Keyton has long been a favorite in Jubilee's original musicals, but in the title role here, she showed that she can play a complex character.

10 Talley's Folly, Circle Theatre: Sargeant scored, yet again, with this Lanford Wilson masterpiece. Beautiful chemistry between actors Stephen Kavner and April Stroud stood out.

Other theater bests

Best tour: Hands down, Urinetown, left. This brilliant and hilarious satire of government control and parody of the musical art form was the best-looking, best-sounding and best-performed touring musical to hit Bass Performance Hall in its history. Presented by Casa Mañana.

Best children's production: Get Found, Kid by Kids Who Care. A lovely and soul-nourishing original musical about finding oneself. Very spiritual and extremely moving.