Another theater season has come and gone — my first as the Deseret News theater critic. Compiling the Best of 2008 list was a much trickier challenge than I anticipated.

There are more great roles for men than women; some theaters have larger seasons than others; and since I didn't personally see all of the shows, it's nearly impossible to make sure every production is represented. But it's a good place to start.

Here are the some of the best of the best.

Best actor (professional)

Brian Vaughn: Cyrano, "Cyrano de Bergerac," Utah Shakespearean Festival.

Elijah Alexander: Mr. Manningham, "Gaslight," Utah Shakespearean Festival, fall season.

Kyle Pfortmiller: Wolf/Cinderella's Prince "Into the Woods;" Thomas Jefferson, "1776," Utah Festival Opera.

Scott Barnhardt: Carmen Ghia, "The Producers," Pioneer Theatre Company.

Paul Kiernan: Jeff Metcalf, "A Slight Discomfort," Salt Lake Acting Company.

David Spencer: Martin Moran, "The Tricky Part," Plan-B Theatre Company.

Best actress (professional)

Lynne Wintersteller: Margaret Johnson, "The Light in the Piazza," PTC.

Camila Borrero, Joyce Cohen, Anne Cullimore Decker and Anne Stewart Mark: Each were just as fabulous as the other in "The Clean House," SLAC.

Tyler Layton: Mrs. Manningham, "Gaslight," USF

Danielle Herman Wood: The Baker's Wife, "Into the Woods," UFO.

Denise Fennell: "Sister's Christmas Catechism," Broadway Across America, national tour.

Best actor (semi-professional)

Andrew Noyes:Jekyll/Hyde, "Jekyll and Hyde," Rodgers Memorial Theatre.

Paul Cartwright: Frank Butler, "Annie Get Your Gun," Hale Centre Theatre.

Cameron Garner: Daniel Brown, "Pirated!" RMT.

Randall Eames: Willard Hewitt, "Footloose," RMT.

Greg Boarden: Jim, "Big River," The Grand Theatre.

Best actress (semi-professional)

Tamara Adams: Ethel, "The Curious Savage," HCT

Melissa Cecala: Constance, "Pirated!" RMT.

Mary Parker Williams: Fairy May, "The Curious Savage," HCT.