L.A. Drama Critics Go for the ‘Ganesh’--8 Nominations

The Odyssey Theatre production of Terrence McNally’s “A Perfect Ganesh” led the pack of nominations for the 30th annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, made public today. “Ganesh” received eight nominations, followed by six nods each for South Coast Repertory’s “Private Lives,” A Noise Within’s “Buried Child” and the Matrix Theatre’s “The Water Children.”

Seven shows presented by Center Theatre Group received a total of 12 nominations, more than the total for any other company, edging out A Noise Within’s 11. Special awards, usually announced at the same time as the annual nominations, will be announced later.

The awards ceremony is slated for March 15 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. According to the organization’s rules, half of the 60 nominees will win; there may be more than one winner--or none--in any category. The event is open to the public; reservations are available at (323) 656-9407.

The nominees:

* Production: “A Perfect Ganesh,” Odyssey Theatre; “Buried Child,” A Noise Within; “The Water Children,” Matrix Theatre; “Another Part of the Forest,” A Noise Within; “Private Lives,” South Coast Repertory; “Indiscretions,” Pacific Resident Theatre; “The Job,” Hudson Guild

* Direction: Allan Miller, “A Perfect Ganesh”; Lisa James, “The Water Children”; David Chambers, “Private Lives”; Julia Rodriguez Elliott, “Buried Child”; Tom Hulce and Jane Jones, “The Cider House Rules”; Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez Elliott, “Another Part of the Forest”; Daniel O’Connor, “Indiscretions”

* Writing: J.T. Rogers, “White People”; Terrence McNally, “A Perfect Ganesh”; Stephen Schalchlin (with additional lyrics by John Bettis and Marie Cain), “The Last Session” (score); Jim Brochu, “The Last Session” (book)

* Lead Performance: Jennifer Erin Roberts, “Another Part of the Forest”; Geoff Elliott, “Another Part of the Forest”; Pam Dawber, “The Water Children”; Barry Cullison, “The Job”; Alistair Duncan, “Private Lives”; Michael Winters, “The Cider House Rules”; Bernard White, “A Perfect Ganesh”; Louise Sorel, “A Perfect Ganesh”; Robert Pescovitz, “Buried Child”; Lois Nettleton, “A Perfect Ganesh”; Lynnda Ferguson, “Private Lives”; Wendy Makkena, “The Water Children”; David Gianopoulos, “White People”; Charlotte D’Amboise, “Chicago”; Michael Emerson, “Gross Indecency”

* Featured Performance: Jill Hill, “Buried Child”; Francois Giroday, “Private Lives”; Jillian Armenante, “The Cider House Rules”; Kathleen Garrett, “Indiscretions”; Susan Egan, “Putting It Together”; Michele Mais, “The Last Session”; Brent Barrett, “Chicago”; Gloria LeRoy, “Melody Jones”

* Scenic Design: David Jenkins, “Dealer’s Choice”; John Napier, “An Enemy of the People”; Ralph Funicello, “Private Lives”; Deborah Raymond & Dorian Vernacchio, “The Mystery of Irma Vep”

* Lighting Design: Keith Endo, “The Water Children”; Ken Billington, “Chicago”; Lisa Katz, “A Perfect Ganesh”

* Costume Design: Christina Wright, “The Mystery of Irma Vep”; Brenda Plakans, “Buried Child”; Randy Gardell, “Present Laughter”; Angela Balogh Calin, “Another Part of the Forest”

* Sound Design: Matthew C. Beville, “The Water Children”; Kevin McDaniel, “A Perfect Ganesh”; Jeff Fairbanks, “Buried Child”

* Musical Direction: Barry Fassman, “The Last Session”; Stephen Bates, “Hello Again”

* Choreography: Lee Martino, “Cabaret”; Ann Reinking, “Chicago”; Ann Reinking & Chet Walker, “Fosse”