Alan Mandell and Barry McGovern in Center Theatre Group’s “Waiting for Godot” at Mark Taper Forum. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Center Theatre Group was the big winner at the 44th annual awards ceremony of Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Monday evening. The company garnered 10 awards for individual achievements plus the award for best season. Five of those trophies belonged to CTG’s Mark Taper Forum production of Waiting for Godot, which won more awards than any other production, including the top revival honor.
Troy Kotsur and Erinn Anova in “Cyrano.” Photo by Ed Krieger.
CTG produces more shows than other LA companies, so the tiny Fountain Theatre could take pride in placing second for number of total awards — six, including one for best season in a small or midsize theater. And the Fountain’s Cyrano, which was co-produced with Deaf West Theatre, won four honors — second only to Godot‘s total on the single-production list.
Winning three awards each were the touring War Horse at CTG’s Ahmanson Theatre, the touring Book of Mormon at the Pantages Theatre, and Silence! at the Hayworth Theatre. Another trio of shows won two awards each — Justin Love at the Celebration Theatre, the Fountain’s In the Red and Brown Water, and South Coast Repertory’s Jitney, which was presented at Pasadena Playhouse after its South Coast production.
The awards for outstanding production went to Cyrano, The Book of Mormon, Justin Love and War Horse.
The company of “The Book of Mormon.” Photo by Joan Marcus.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Celebration Theatre accepted the previously announced Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence. Also presented were these previously announced honors — the Ted Schmitt Award for an original script to Evelina Fernandez for A Mexican Trilogy at Los Angeles Theatre and honorarium-bearing career awards for director Elina de Santos, set designer Stephen Gifford and musical director and composer David O.
The award recipients for the 2012 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards are as follows:
Production: The Book of Mormon; Cyrano;Justin Love; War Horse.
McCulloh Award for Revival: Waiting for Godot.
Diarra Kilpatrick and Gilbert Glenn Brown in “In the Red & Brown Water.” Photo by Ed Krieger.
Ensemble performance: In the Red and Brown Water; The New Electric Ballroom; The Savannah Disputation; Waiting for Godot
Lead performance: Troy Kotsur, Cyrano; Christine Lakin, Silence! The Musical; Alan Mandell, Waiting for Godot.
Featured performance: Larry Bates and Ellis E. Williams, Jitney; Michael A. Newcomer, The Bungler.
Solo performance: John Hurt, Krapp’s Last Tape.
Direction: Michael Arabian, Waiting for Godot; Shirley Jo Finney, In the Red and Brown Water; Simon Levy, Cyrano.
Writing: Danai Gurira, The Convert.
Adaptation: Stephen Sachs, Cyrano.
Choreography: Christopher Gattelli, Silence! The Musical; Bill T. Jones, Fela!
Tyler Ledon and Adam Huss in “Justin Love.” Photo by Michael Lamont.
Musical score: Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, The Book of Mormon; Lori Scarlett and David Manning, Justin Love; Jon Kaplan & Al Kaplan, Silence! The Musical.
Musical direction: Gregory Nabours, The Color Purple; Stephen Oremus, The Book of Mormon.
CGI/video design: Anthony Backman and Ben Rock, Stoneface: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton.
Set design: John Iacovelli, Waiting for Godot.
Costume design: Ellen McCartney, The Treatment; Leah Piehl, Intimate Apparel.
Lighting design: Paule Constable and Karen Spahn, War Horse.
Sound design: Ben Williams, Gatz.
Specialty Awards:
Joey the horse in “War Horse.” Photo by Ryan Miller.
Puppetry: Adrian Kohler with Basil Jones and Handspring Puppet Company, War Horse.
Fight choreography: David McCormick and Kelly Todd, West Side Story.
Ted Schmitt Award for the premiere of a new play: Evelina Fernandez for A Mexican Trilogy.
Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence: Celebration Theatre.
Polly Warfield Award for an outstanding season in a small- to mid-sized theater: Fountain Theatre.
Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater: David O.
Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design: Stephen Gifford.
Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction: Elina de Santos.
Charlie Robinson and Larry Bates in South Coast Repertory’s production of "Jitney" at Pasadena Playhouse
Center Theatre Group garnered 13 nominations, including the five for Godot at CTG’s Mark Taper Forum — the biggest haul for any single company. South Coast Repertory placed second on this list, with eight nods including the five for Jitney (which moved to Pasadena Playhouse following its South Coast run).
Besides the competitive nominations, the circle also announced three already-voted awards for 2013 accomplishments and six special awards.
At the ceremony on March 18, already-voted awards will go to Adrian Kohler with Basil Jones for Handspring Puppet Theatre, in recognition of the design, fabrication, and direction of the puppets of War Horse at Ahmanson Theatre, and to David McCormick and Kelly Todd for their fight direction of West Side Story at Chance Theater in Anaheim. In addition, a special plaque will be awarded to Center Theatre Group for an excellent season.
The six recipients of special awards are:
Evelina Fernández, the Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play for her A Mexican Trilogy, three chapters of which were presented at Los Angeles Theatre Center (two in 2012 and one in 2011). The award is accompanied by an offer to publish from Samuel French, Inc.
Celebration Theatre, the Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theater.It includes an honorarium funded by FootLights Publishing, Inc.
Fountain Theatre, the Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season in a small to mid-size theater. It’s accompanied by an honorarium funded by the Nederlander Organization.
Stephen Gifford, the Bob Z Award for sustained achievement in set design, funded by Bitter-Lemons.com.
David O, the Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater, including an honorarium funded by an anonymous donor.
Elina de Santos, the Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction, with an honorarium funded by Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Christine Lakin and Davis Gaines in "Silence! The Musical." Photo by Michael Lamont
The 44th annual LADCC Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 18 at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street in downtown L.A. All tickets have been reduced to $30. Tickets can be arranged by emailing crixawards2013@gmail.com, and PayPal will be accepted prior to March 18. Credit cards will be accepted at the door. Nominees are entitled to a single complimentary ticket. Additional information may be found at www.ladramacriticscircle.com, the Circle’s website.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. on March 18 for drinks, music, hors d’oeuvres (no full dinner) and conversation, while at a Silent Auction attendees can bid on theater and film related items, as long as they have cash or checks if they win. The show will commence at 7:30 pm.
The scheduled host, French Stewart, is a 25-year mainstay of the Los Angeles theater scene and a notable star of TV and film. Best known for his six seasons co-starring on NBC’s 3rd Rock From the Sun, he is a member of Sacred Fools and played the title role in that company’s 2012 production of Stoneface, The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton, which has received two LADCC nominations.
The nominees for the competitive 2012 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards are as follows:
Production
Bad Apples, Tim Wright and Jennifer A. Skinner, Circle X Theatre at Atwater Village Theatre Cyrano, Fountain Theatre and Deaf West Theatre at Fountain Theatre Jitney, South Coast Repertory’s production at Pasadena Playhouse Justin Love, David Elzer, Peter Schneider, and Justin Rush Productions, LLC, in association with Celebration Theatre at Celebration Theatre Silence! The Musical, Theater Mogul/Oskar Eiriksson and MagicSpace Entertainment at Hayworth Theatre The Book of Mormon, Anne Garefino and Scott Rudin, Pantages Theatre The Grönholm Method, Baby Tiger Productions, Daniel Wallace and Trish Whitehurst in association with Falcon Theatre at Falcon Theatre War Horse, Center Theatre Group, Bob Boyett, National Theatre of Great Britain, Ostar Productions and Ken Gentry at Ahmanson Theatre
McCulloh Award for Revival (of shows between 1920 and 1980)
Heartbreak House, Theatricum Botanicum Waiting for Godot, Center Theatre Group at Mark Taper Forum West Side Story, Chance Theater Lead Performance
Pascale Armand, The Convert, Center Theatre Group at Kirk Douglas Theatre
Linda Gehringer, How to Write a New Book for the Bible, South Coast Repertory
Rafael Goldstein, Hamlet, Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre
Troy Kotsur, Cyrano, Fountain Theatre and Deaf West Theatre at Fountain Theatre
Christine Lakin, Silence! The Musical, Theater Mogul/Oskar Eiriksson and MagicSpace Entertainment at Hayworth Theatre
Alan Mandell, Waiting for Godot, Center Theatre Group at Mark Taper Forum
Marco Naggar, New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation, Amsterdam, July 27, 1656, West Coast Jewish Theatre at Pico Playhouse
JoBeth Williams, The Fall to Earth, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble at Odyssey Theatre
Featured Performance
Larry Bates, Jitney, South Coast Repertory’s production at Pasadena Playhouse
William Dennis Hunt, Heartbreak House, Theatricum Botanicum
Lesli Margherita, Man of La Mancha, Musical Theatre West at Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Michael A. Newcomer, The Bungler, A Noise Within
Jonica Patella, Hamlet, Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater
Charlie Robinson, Jitney, South Coast Repertory’s production at Pasadena Playhouse
Ellis E.Williams, Jitney, South Coast Repertory’s production at Pasadena Playhouse
Ensemble Performance
42nd Street, Musical Theatre West at Carpenter Performing Arts Center In the Red and Brown Water, Fountain Theatre The Color Purple, Celebration Theatre The New Electric Ballroom, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater The Savannah Disputation, Colony Theatre The Treatment, Theatre @ Boston Court in collaboration with Theatre Movement Bazaar at Theatre @ Boston Court Waiting for Godot, Center Theatre Group at Mark Taper Forum
Solo Performance
Mona Golabek, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Geffen Playhouse and Hershey Felder at Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse
John Hurt, Krapp’s Last Tape, Center Theatre Group, Gate Theatre Dublin’s production at Kirk Douglas Theatre
Leslie Jordan, Fruit Fly, Celebration Theatre in association with Reaction Productions at Celebration Theatre
Writing
Bill Cain, How to Write a New Book for the Bible, South Coast Repertory
Danai Gurira, The Convert, Center Theatre Group in association with McCarter Theatre Center and Goodman Theatre at Kirk Douglas Theatre
Michael Hollinger, Ghost-Writer, International City Theatre atLong Beach Performing Arts Center
David Ives, New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation, Amsterdam, July 27, 1656, West Coast Jewish Theatre at Pico Playhouse
Jim Leonard, Bad Apples, Circle X Theatre at Atwater Village Theatre
Writing (Adaptation)
Stephen Sachs, Cyrano, Fountain Theatre and Deaf West Theatre at Fountain Theatre
Troubadour Theater Company, Two Gentlemen of Chicago, Troubadour Theater Company at Falcon Theatre
Musical Score
Ryan Johnson, Stoneface, The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton, Sacred Fools Theater Company at Sacred Fools Theater.
Jon Kaplan and Al Kaplan, Silence! The Musical, Theater Mogul/Oskar Eiriksson and MagicSpace Entertainment at Hayworth Theatre
Robert Lopez, Matt Stone, and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon, Anne Garefino and Scott Rudin at Pantages Theatre
Lori Scarlett (music and lyrics) and David Manning (music), Justin Love, David Elzer, Peter Schneider, and Justin Rush Productions, LLC, in association with Celebration Theatre at Celebration Theatre
Beth Thornley and Rob Cairns, Bad Apples, Circle X Theatre at Atwater Village Theatre
Music Direction
Michael Borth, 42nd Street, Musical Theatre West at Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Eric Heinly, A Christmas Westside Story, Troubadour Theater Company at Falcon Theatre
Gregory Nabours, The Color Purple, Celebration Theatre
Stephen Oremus, The Book of Mormon, Anne Garefino and Scott Rudin at Pantages Theatre
Choreography
Christopher Gattelli, Silence! The Musical, Theater Mogul/Oskar Eiriksson and MagicSpace Entertainment at Hayworth Theatre
Bill T. Jones, Fela!, Center Theatre Group, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Fela Broadway LLC in association with National Theatre of Great Britain at Ahmanson Theatre
Tina Kronis, The Treatment, Theatre @ Boston Court in Collaboration with Theatre Movement Bazaar at Theatre @ Boston Court
Janet Roston, The Color Purple, Celebration Theatre
Direction
Michael Arabian, Waiting for Godot, Center Theatre Group at Mark Taper Forum
Shirley Jo Finney, In the Red and Brown Water, Fountain Theatre
Christopher Gattelli, Silence! The Musical, Theater Mogul/Oskar Eiriksson and MagicSpace Entertainment at Hayworth Theatre
Simon Levy, Cyrano, Fountain Theatre and Deaf West Theatre at Fountain Theatre
Kent Nicholson, How to Write a New Book for the Bible, South Coast Repertory
Ron OJ Parson, Jitney, South Coast Repertory’s production at Pasadena Playhouse
Elissa Weinzimmer, Tape, Identity Productions at ArtWorks Theatre and Theatre Asylum
Set Design
Edward E. Haynes Jr., Fraternity, Ebony Repertory Theatre at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
John Iacovelli, Waiting for Godot, Center Theatre Group at Mark Taper Forum
David Mauer and Hazel Kuang, Dirty Filthy Love Story, Rogue Machine at Theatre/ Theater
Desma Murphy, The Water’s Edge, The Road Theatre Company at Lankershim Arts Center
Lighting Design
Lap Chi Chu, The Convert, Center Theatre Group at Kirk Douglas Theatre
Paule Constable (original) and Karen Spahn (additional and adaptation), War Horse, Center Theatre Group, Bob Boyett, National Theatre of Great Britain, Ostar Productions and Ken Gentry at Ahmanson Theatre
Jeremy Pivnick, Bad Apples, Circle X Theatre at Atwater Village Theatre
Dan Weingarten, No Good Deed, Furious Theatre Company at [Inside] the Ford
Costume Design
Angela Balogh Calin, Cymbeline, A Noise Within
Ellen McCartney, The Treatment, Theatre @ Boston Court in Collaboration with Theatre Movement Bazaar at Theatre @ Boston Court
Val Miller, Heartbreak House, Theatricum Botanicum
Leah Piehl, Intimate Apparel, Pasadena Playhouse
Sound Design
Ben Williams, Gatz, Elevator Repair Service at REDCAT
John Zalewski, Macbeth, Antaeus Company at Deaf West Theatre
John Zalewski, The Treatment, Theatre @ Boston Court in Collaboration with Theatre Movement Bazaar at Theatre @ Boston Court
CGI/Video
Anthony Beckman and Ben Rock, Stoneface, The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton, Sacred Fools Theater Company at Sacred Fools Theater
Tei Blow, In Paris, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Dmitry Krymov Laboratory, AG Foundation in association with the Korjaamo Culture Factory at Broad Stage
Greg Sowizdrzal, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Geffen Playhouse and Hershey Felder at Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse
Jason H. Thompson, No Good Deed, Furious Theatre Company at [Inside] the Ford
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle was founded in 1969. It is dedicated to excellence in theatrical criticism, and to the encouragement and improvement of theater in Greater Los Angeles. The 2012 membership consisted of:
Pauline Adamek, LA Weekly; ArtsBeatLA.com
F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times
Shirle Gottlieb, Gazette Newspapers; stagehappenings.com
Hoyt Hilsman, Back Stage, The Huffington Post
Mayank Keshaviah, LA Weekly
Amy Lyons, Back Stage, LA Weekly
Dany Margolies, ArtsInLA.com
Terry Morgan, LAist.com; Daily Variety
Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly
David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times, Back Stage
Sharon Perlmutter, TalkinBroadway.com
Melinda Schupmann, Back Stage; ShowMag.com; ArtsInLA.com
Madeleine Shaner, Park La Brea News/Beverly Press; Back Stage
Les Spindle, Frontiers; Theatremania; EDGE LA
Bob Verini, Daily Variety; ArtsInLA.com
Neal Weaver, LA Weekly; Back Stage
Daniel Bess and Dorie Barton in "Margo Veil"; Photo by Enci
Rogue Machine won more Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awards than any other company — five plus a special honor for its season — at LADCC”s 43rd annual ceremony Monday.
The Odyssey Theatre and Evidence Room shared four awards for their co-production of Margo Veil, and the Odyssey also won a separate award for sustained excellence. Ebony Repertory Theatre received four nods, all for A Raisin in the Sun in the production’s original run last year at the Nate Holden, and Center Theatre Group garnered four awards for four separate shows.
Among individual productions, the four won by Margo Veil and A Raisin in the Sun led the pack. Margo Veil shared outstanding production honors with Rogue Machine’s Small Engine Repair, which won a total of three awards, and A Raisin in the Sun shared outstanding revival honors with Reprise’s Cabaret and Theatre Banshee’s The Crucible.
Anne Gee Byrd won acting honors for both leading (All My Sons) and featured (I Never Sang for My Father) performances.
The ceremony was held at A Noise Within in Pasadena. The hosts were Jason Graae and Lesli Margherita.
The recipients of the 2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards are as follows:
Production
Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room, Odyssey Theatre
Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine, Theatre/Theater
Scott Mosenson, Kenya Alexander, Kevin Carroll and Deidrie Henry in "A Raisin in the Sun"; Photo by Craig Schwartz
McCulloh Award for Revival
A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre, Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Cabaret, Reprise Theatre Company, Freud Playhouse
The Crucible, Theatre Banshee
Direction
Andrew Block, Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Sean Branney, The Crucible, Theatre Banshee
Bart DeLorenzo, Margo Veil, the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
Writing
David Harrower, Blackbird, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
John Pollono, Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Jon Bernthal and John Pollono in "Small Engine Repair"
Writing (Adaptation)
Dakin Matthews, The Capulets & the Montagues, Andak Stage Company at NewPlace Studio Theatre
Music Direction
Gerald Sternbach, The Robber Bridegroom, International City Theatre
Mike Wilkins, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre
Musical Score
Mark Nutter, Re-Animator: The Musical, Steve Allen Theater
Linda Park and Anne Gee Byrd in "All My Sons"; Photo by Karen Bellone
Lead Performance
Sam Anderson, Blackbird, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Anne Gee Byrd, All My Sons, Matrix Theatre
L. Scott Caldwell, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Edi Gathegi, Superior Donuts, Geffen Playhouse
Lisa O’Hare, Cabaret, Reprise Theatre Company at Freud Playhouse
Featured Performance
Anne Gee Byrd, I Never Sang for My Father, New American Theatre at the McCadden Theatre
Dermot Crowley, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Center Theatre Group and Druid and Atlantic Theater Company at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Deidrie Henry, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
Solo Performance
Tom Dugan, Nazi Hunter “” Simon Wiesenthal, Theatre 40 at the Reuben Cordova Theatre
Charlayne Woodard, The Night Watcher, Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Set Design
Richard Hoover, House of the Rising Son, Ensemble Studio Theatre””LA at the Atwater Village Theatre
Lighting Design
Paule Constable, Les Misérables, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre
Jeremy Pivnick, House of the Rising Son, Ensemble Studio Theatre””LA at the Atwater Village Theatre
Costume Design
Philippe Guillotel, Iris, Cirque du Soleil at Kodak Theatre
Sound Design
John Zalewski, Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
Specialty
Eric Anderson (fight choreography), Gospel According to First Squad, Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble at Powerhouse Theatre
John Boesche (projection design), Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, Geffen Playhouse
Tony Doublin, John Naulin, John Buechler, Tom Devlin, & Greg McDougall (special effects), Re-Animator: The Musical, Steve Allen Theater
Shana Carroll, Boris Verkhovsky, Pierre Masse (acrobatic performance design), Iris, Cirque du Soleil at Kodak Theatre
Unique Theatrical Event
Standing on Ceremony,Joan Stein and Stuart Ross in association with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center at Renberg Theatre
Special Awards
The Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play was awarded to David Wiener for Extraordinary Chambers. The award was accompanied by an offer to publish by Samuel French, Inc.
The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season in a small to mid-size theater was awarded to Rogue Machine. The award was accompanied by an honorarium, funded by the Nederlander Organization.
The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design was awarded to Kurt Boetcher.
The Angstrom Award for career achievement in lighting design was awarded to Lap Chi Chu. The award was accompanied by an honorarium, funded by Angstrom Lighting.
The Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theater was awarded to the Odyssey Theatre. The award was accompanied by an honorarium, funded by contributions from the theatrical community.
The Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater was awarded to Lee Martino. The award was accompanied by an honorarium, funded by an anonymous donor.
The Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction was awarded to Matt Shakman. The award was accompanied by an honorarium, funded by Katselas Theatre Company.
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle was founded in 1969. It is dedicated to excellence in theatrical criticism, and to the encouragement and improvement of theater in Greater Los Angeles.
The 2011 voting members of the LADCC consisted of: F. Kathleen Foley (L.A. Times), Shirle Gottlieb (Gazette Newspapers, StageHappenings.com), Hoyt Hilsman (Back Stage, The Huffington Post), Mayank Keshaviah (L.A. Weekly), Amy Lyons (Back Stage, L.A. Weekly), Dany Margolies (Back Stage), Terry Morgan (Variety), Steven Leigh Morris (L.A. Weekly), David C. Nichols (L.A. Times, Back Stage), Sharon Perlmutter (TalkinBroadway.com), Melinda Schupmann (Back Stage, ShowMag.com), Madeleine Shaner (Park La Brea News/Beverly Press, Back Stage), Les Spindle (Back Stage), Bob Verini (Variety), and Neal Weaver (Back Stage). Joining for 2012 is Pauline Adamek (L.A. Weekly).
A scene from Chance Theater's "Jerry Sprinter: The Opera"
Ebony Repertory Theatre’s A Raisin in the Sun and Chance Theater’s Jerry Springer: the Opera each scored eight Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nominations to lead the pack among individual productions for the critics’ awards in 2011. Center Theatre Group received a total of 10 nominations at its three venues — more than those of any other company.
Scott Mosenson, Kenya Alexander, Kevin Carroll and Deidrie Henry in "A Raisin in the Sun"; Photo by Craig Schwartz
The 43rd Annual LADCC awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 19, at the new home of A Noise Within in east Pasadena, thanks to the donation of A Noise Within’s management. The theater is located on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 3352 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Tickets are $40, and should be reserved in advance from the LADCC’s website, at www.ladramacriticscircle.com. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-show hors d’oeuvres (with no-host bar), and the show commences at 7:30 p.m.
The show will be hosted by L.A. theater favorites Jason Graae (recipient of the 2007 Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater) and Lesli Margherita (nominated this year for Kiss Me, Kate). Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.
Awards will be given in 18 categories, honoring excellence in theater over the past year. Seven special awards will also be given:
The Ted Schmitt Award for the premiere of a play will be awarded to David Wiener for Extraordinary Chambers. The award is accompanied by an offer to publish by Samuel French, Inc.
The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season in a small to mid-size theater will be awarded to Rogue Machine. The award is accompanied by an honorarium funded by the Nederlander Organization.
The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design will be awarded to Kurt Boetcher.
The Angstrom Award for career achievement in lighting design will be awarded to Lap Chi Chu. The award is accompanied by an honorarium funded by Angstrom Lighting.
The Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theater will be awarded to the Odyssey Theatre.
The Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater will be awarded to Lee Martino.
The Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction will be awarded to Matt Shakman. The award is accompanied by an honorarium funded by the Katselas Theatre Company.
The nominees for the 2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for theatrical excellence are as follows:
Production
9 Circles, Alicia Adams and Jessica Hanna, Bootleg Theater
Blackbird, Rogue Machine, Theatre/Theater
House of the Rising Son, Ensemble Studio Theatre””LA, Atwater Village Theatre
Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room, Odyssey Theatre
Re-Animator: The Musical, Dean Schramm and Stuart Gordon, Steve Allen Theater
Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine, Theatre/Theater
The Cripple of Inishmaan, Center Theatre Group and Druid and Atlantic Theater companies, Kirk Douglas Theatre
Way to Heaven, Ron Sossi, Odyssey Theatre
McCulloh Award for Revival
A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre, Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Cabaret, Reprise Theatre Company, Freud Playhouse
Kiss Me, Kate, Reprise Theatre Company, Freud Playhouse
Peace in Our Time, Antaeus Company, Deaf West Theatre
The Crucible, Theatre Banshee
Direction
Trevor Biship, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Andrew Block, Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Sean Branney, The Crucible, Theatre Banshee
Bart DeLorenzo, Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Writing
Jane Anderson, The Escort, Geffen Playhouse
David Harrower, Blackbird, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
John Pollono, Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Charlayne Woodard, The Night Watcher, Center Theatre Group at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Writing (Adaptation)
Dakin Matthews, The Capulets & the Montagues, Andak Stage Company at NewPlace Studio Theatre
Dennis Paoli, Stuart Gordon and William J. Morris, Re-Animator: The Musical, Steve Allen Theater
Music Direction
Gregory Nabours, Falsettos, Third Street Theatre
Michael Paternostro, Kiss Me, Kate, Reprise Theatre Company at Freud Playhouse
Gerald Sternbach, The Robber Bridegroom, International City Theatre
Mike Wilkins, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Choreography
Karole Armitage, Hair, Broadway/L.A. at the Pantages Theatre
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre
Todd Nielsen, The Robber Bridegroom, International City Theatre
Kelly Todd, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Musical Score
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Green, and Tom Kitt, Bring It On: The Musical, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre
Mark Nutter, Re-Animator: The Musical, Steve Allen Theater
Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek the Musical, DreamWorks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions, and Broadway/L.A. at the Pantages Theatre
Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Lead Performance
Patrick J. Adams, 9 Circles, Bootleg Theater
Sam Anderson, Blackbird, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Gigi Bermingham, Hermetically Sealed, Katselas Theatre Company at the Skylight Theatre
Anne Gee Byrd, All My Sons, Matrix Theatre
L. Scott Caldwell, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Kevin Carroll, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Edi Gathegi, Superior Donuts, Geffen Playhouse
Lesli Margherita, Kiss Me, Kate, Reprise Theatre Company at Freud Playhouse
Lisa O’Hare, Cabaret, Reprise Theatre Company at Freud Playhouse
Maggie Siff, The Escort, Geffen Playhouse
Norbert Weisser, Way to Heaven, Odyssey Theatre
Featured Performance
Kenya Alexander, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Anne Gee Byrd, I Never Sang for My Father, New American Theatre at the McCadden Theatre
Dermot Crowley, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Center Theatre Group and Druid and Atlantic Theater Company at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Deidrie Henry, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Kate Huffman, 100 Saints You Should Know, Elephant Theatre Company
Ryann Redmond, Bring It On: The Musical, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre
Ensemble Performance
A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
The Cripple of Inishmaan, Center Theatre Group and Druid and Atlantic Theater Company at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
The Crucible, Theatre Banshee
Solo Performance
Tom Dugan, Nazi Hunter “” Simon Wiesenthal, Theatre 40 at the Reuben Cordova Theatre
John Fleck, Mad Women, Katselas Theatre Company at the Skylight Theatre
Guy Hollingsworth, The Expert at the Card Table, Menier Chocolate Factory at Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
John Leguizamo, Ghetto Klown, WestBeth Entertainment at the Montálban
Charlayne Woodard, The Night Watcher, Center Theatre Group at Kirk Douglas Theatre
Set Design
Cameron Anderson, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, South Coast Repertory
John Lee Beatty, Poor Behavior, Center Theatre Group at Mark Taper Forum
Brian Sidney Bembridge, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Geffen Playhouse
Michael Ganio, A Raisin in the Sun, Ebony Repertory Theatre at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center
Richard Hoover, House of the Rising Son, Ensemble Studio Theatre””LA at Atwater Village Theatre
Lighting Design
Patrice Besombes, Iris, Cirque du Soleil at Kodak Theatre
Paule Constable, Les Misérables, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre
Jeremy Pivnick, House of the Rising Son, Ensemble Studio Theatre””LA at the Atwater Village Theatre
Brian S. Shevelenko, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Costume Design
Ann Closs-Farley, Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
Philippe Guillotel, Iris, Cirque du Soleil at Kodak Theatre
Tim Hatley, Shrek the Musical, DreamWorks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions, and Broadway/L.A. at the Pantages Theatre
Garry Lennon, Kiss Me, Kate, Reprise Theatre Company at Freud Playhouse
Sound Design
Mikhail Fiksel, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Geffen Playhouse
Casey Long, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Chance Theater
Adam Phalen, 9 Circles, Bootleg Theater
John Zalewski, Margo Veil, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and Evidence Room at the Odyssey Theatre
Specialty
Eric Anderson (fight choreography), Gospel According to First Squad, Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble at Powerhouse Theatre
John Boesche (projection design), Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, Geffen Playhouse
David Combs and Linda Hoag (puppet design), Monkey Adored, Rogue Machine at Theatre/Theater
Tony Doublin, John Naulin, John Buechler, Tom Devlin, & Greg McDougall (special effects), Re-Animator: The Musical, Steve Allen Theater
Shana Carroll, Boris Verkhovsky, Pierre Masse (acrobatic performance design), Iris, Cirque du Soleil at Kodak Theatre
Peter Nigrini (projection and video design), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Geffen Playhouse
Unique Theatrical Event
Standing on Ceremony, Joan Stein and Stuart Ross in association with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center at Renberg Theatre
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle was founded in 1969. It is dedicated to excellence in theatrical criticism, and to the encouragement and improvement of theater in Greater Los Angeles.
The 2011 voting members of the LADCC: F. Kathleen Foley (LA Times), Shirle Gottlieb (Gazette Newspapers, StageHappenings.com), Hoyt Hilsman (Back Stage, the Huffington Post), Mayank Keshaviah (LA Weekly), Amy Lyons (Back Stage, LA Weekly), Dany Margolies (Back Stage), Terry Morgan (Variety), Steven Leigh Morris (LA Weekly), David C. Nichols (LA Times, Back Stage), Sharon Perlmutter (TalkinBroadway.com), Melinda Schupmann (Back Stage, ShowMag.com), Madeleine Shaner (Park La Brea News/Beverly Press, Back Stage), Les Spindle (Back Stage), Bob Verini (Variety), and Neal Weaver (Back Stage). Joining for 2012 is Pauline Adamek (LA Weekly).
LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â ANNOUNCES WINNERS
FOR 40th ANNUAL AWARDS
March 16, 2009…Los Angeles…The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2008. The 40th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 16 at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, and was co-hosted by Vicki Lewis.
The Circle also announced a new Special Award, the Milton Katselas Award, sponsored by Camelot Artists, to be awarded beginning next year for career or special achievement in Directing.
The award recipients for the 2008 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards are as follows: (more…)
