‘Avenue A,’ ‘Fella’ Top Drama Awards

“The Most Happy Fella” at the Doolittle Theatre and “Avenue A” at the Cast-at-the-Circle Theatre won four honors each in the 1991 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, announced today.

“Fella,” “Avenue A” and South Coast Repertory’s “Heartbreak House” each took “outstanding production” and “outstanding direction” awards. Among theaters, Center Theatre Group picked up eight awards, followed by South Coast’s six.

“Avenue A” added three regular awards to its previously announced Ted Schmitt Award, which the Critics Circle gives annually for the best world premiere script produced either in Los Angeles or Orange counties. “Avenue A” author-actor David Steen received an “outstanding featured performance” award in addition to the Schmitt.

“Heartbreak House” and the Pasadena Playhouse production of “Forever Plaid,” now playing at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills, snared three awards apiece.

The 23-year-old LADCC Awards, generally considered the Southland’s most prestigious for theater in the area, are voted on by 19 critics in Los Angeles and Orange counties. This year, 17 plays garnered 30 awards in 14 categories, in addition to four special awards announced last week.

Presentations will be held at a luncheon at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City on April 5. It is open to the public; reservations are required. Information: (818) 506-6083.

The award winners by category:

* Production: “Avenue A,” produced by Diana Gibson for the Cast Theatre and AA Productions, at the Cast-at-the-Circle Theatre; “Heartbreak House,” produced by South Coast Repertory, David Emmes, producing artistic director, Martin Benson, artistic director; “The Most Happy Fella,” the Goodspeed Opera House production, produced by Michael P. Price, presented by Center Theatre Group, Gordon Davidson, producing director, at the Doolittle Theatre.

* Direction: Martin Benson, “Heartbreak House”; Gerald Gutierrez, “The Most Happy Fella”; Jim Holmes, “Avenue A.”

* Writing: David Henry Hwang, “M. Butterfly,” Wilshire Theatre.

* Lead performance: Eileen Atkins, “A Room of One’s Own,” Westwood Playhouse; Jeff Doucette, “Rage!,” Alliance Repertory Company; Richard Frank, “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” South Coast Repertory; Jane Krakowski, “Henceforward . . . ,” Mark Taper Forum; Robert Morse, “Tru,” Henry Fonda Theatre.

* Featured performance: Loretta Devine, “The Rabbit Foot,” Los Angeles Theatre Center; David Steen, “Avenue A.”

* Ensemble performance: Stan Chandler, David Engel, Larry Raben and Guy Stroman, “Forever Plaid,” Pasadena Playhouse.

* Scenic design: John Iacovelli, “Heartbreak House”; Robin Wagner, “City of Angels,” Shubert Theatre and Orange County Performing Arts Center.

* Lighting design: James F. Ingalls, “Jelly’s Last Jam,” Mark Taper Forum.

* Costume design: Ann Bruice, “You Can’t Take It With You,” South Coast Repertory; Florence Klotz, “City of Angels”; Shigeru Yaji, “Happy End,” South Coast Repertory.

* Sound design: Jon Gottlieb, “Henceforward . . . “

* Hair and makeup design: Kevin Haney, “Tru.”

* Musical direction: Steven Freeman, “Forever Plaid”; Tim Stella, “The Most Happy Fella”; Linda Twine “Jelly’s Last Jam.”

* Musical arrangement/orchestration: Robert Page and Frank Loesser, “The Most Happy Fella”; James Raitt, “Forever Plaid.”

* Choreography: Tommy Tune, “Grand Hotel”; Gregory Scott Young, “Club Indigo,” Golden Theatre.