Ovation Awards go to Fountain Theatre, ‘The Country House’

The Fountain Theatre in Hollywood and Donald Margulies’ “The Country House” at the Geffen Playhouse were among the big winners Sunday evening at the 2014 annual Ovation Awards, which honor excellence in Los Angeles theater.

Sunday’s ceremony at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse was hosted by actresses Kate Burton and Katie Lowes.

The Fountain won the award for best season for its productions seen during the 2013-14 period. The Hollywood company won in the same category at the 2010 awards.

The awards for play and musical at large theaters went to the Geffen’s “The Country House,” currently running on Broadway, and the recent production of “Floyd Collins” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, respectively.

In all, the awards were fairly spread out, with the Geffen, Skylight Theatre Company and Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts receiving four awards each.

The acting honors included Malcolm Barrett for his lead role in “The Recommendation” from the IAMA Theatre Company and Deborah Strang for a revival of “Come Back, Little Sheba” at A Noise Within.

James Barbour won for his role as Jean Valjean in a revival of “Les Misérables” at La Mirada, while “MADTv” alumna Nicole Parker won for her lead role in 3-D Theatricals’ production of “Funny Girl” that ran at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

The playwrighting award went to Meghan Brown won for her drama “The Pliant Girls” at the Fugitive Kind Theatre.

The Ovations are organized by the L.A. Stage Alliance. Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Season: Fountain Theatre

Outstanding Play (Large Theatre): “The Country House,” Geffen Playhouse

Outstanding Play (Intimate Theatre): “The Recommendation,” IAMA Theatre Company

Outstanding Musical (Large Theatre): “Floyd Collins,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Outstanding Musical (Intimate Theatre): “110 In the Shade,” Actors Co-op

Presented Production: “Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty,” Center Theatre Group

Playwright of an Original Play: Meghan Brown, “The Pliant Girls,” Fugitive Kind Theater

Ensemble of a Play: “The Country House,” Geffen Playhouse

Ensemble of a Musical: “Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life,” Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Lead Actor in a Musical: James Barbour, “Les Misérables,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Lead Actor in a Play: Malcolm Barrett, “The Recommendation,” IAMA Theatre Company

Lead Actress in a Musical: Nicole Parker, “Funny Girl,” 3-D Theatricals

Lead Actress in a Play: Deborah Strang, “Come Back, Little Sheba,” A Noise Within

Featured Actor in a Musical: Leigh Wakeford, “The Producers,” 3-D Theatricals

Featured Actor in a Play: Hugo Armstrong, “Backyard,” the Echo Theater Company

Featured Actress in a Musical: Tracy Lore, “Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein,” Musical Theatre West

Featured Actress in a Play: Rebecca Gray, “Fireman,” The Echo Theater Company

Director of a Musical: Richard Israel, “Floyd Collins,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Director of a Play: Guillermo Cienfuegos, “Henry V,” Pacific Resident Theatre

Director of a Play: Amanda McRaven, “The Pliant Girls,” Fugitive Kind Theater

Music Direction: Sherrie Maricle, “Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life,” Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Lyrics/Composition for a World Premiere Musical: Ross Golan, “The Wrong Man,” Skylight Theatre Company

Book of an Original Musical: Ross Golan, “The Wrong Man,” Skylight Theatre Company

Choreographer: Kelly Todd, “Lysistrata Jones,” Chance Theater

Lighting Design (Intimate Theatre): Jeremy Pivnick, “Everything You Touch,” The Theatre @ Boston Court

Lighting Design (Large Theatre): Peter Kaczorowski, “The Country House,” Geffen Playhouse

Costume Design (Intimate Theatre): Jenny Foldenauer, “Everything You Touch,” The Theatre @ Boston Court

Costume Design (Large Theatre): Michael Krass, “Parfumerie,” Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Scenic Design (Intimate Theatre): Jeff McLaughlin, “Pray To Ball,” Skylight Theatre Company

Scenic Design (Large Theatre): Allen Moyer, “Parfumerie,” Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Sound Design (Intimate Theatre): John Zalewski, “Everything You Touch,” The Theatre @ Boston Court

Sound Design (Large Theatre): Richard Woodbury, “Slowgirl,” Geffen Playhouse

Video Designer: Adam Flemming, Michael Hoy, “The Wrong Man,” Skylight Theatre Company

Ovation Honors (Fight Choreography): Ahmed Best, “Backyard,” The Echo Theater Company

Ovation Honors (Composition for a Play): Dave Robbins, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Actors’ Gang

Ovation Honors (Puppet Design): Michelle Zamora, “Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger,” MainStreet Theatre Company

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT