Ovation Awards for Fountain’s ‘Cost of Living’ and Pasadena Playhouse’s ‘Ragtime’
As the 2020 Ovation Awards celebrated its 30th annual ceremony, it handed top honors to Pasadena Playhouse’s “Ragtime” for best production and direction of a musical and to Fountain Theatre’s production of “Cost of Living” as best play in an intimate theater.
The festivities, held Monday night by the nonprofit L.A. Stage Alliance, took place at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles and were hosted by actor George Salazar. Thirty-six awards were given to 13 Southern California theater companies. Winners were selected by local producers, directors, actors and other theater professionals chosen through an application process.
Fountain Theatre emerged as the night’s biggest winner after receiving the award for best season for a calendar of productions including “Cost of Living,” “Daniel’s Husband” and “Hype Man: A Break Beat Play.”
Other companies honored included Geffen Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Skylight Theatre, Center Theatre Group and Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
This year 199 nominations came from 64 productions presented by 43 organizations.
Winners are listed in bold among the other nominees.
Best season
BOSTON COURT PASADENA, “Everything That Never Happened,” “Ladies,” “The Judas Kiss”
CENTER THEATRE GROUP, “Dana H.,” “Lackawanna Blues,” “Linda Vista,” “Quack,” “Sweat,” “Valley of the Heart”
FOUNTAIN THEATRE, “Cost of Living,” “Daniel’s Husband,” “Hype Man: A Break Beat Play”
::
Best production of a play — intimate theater
ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST, The Actors’ Gang Theater
AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING, Sophina Brown
COST OF LIVING, Fountain Theatre
DANIEL’S HUSBAND, Fountain Theatre
EVERYTHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED, Boston Court Pasadena
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, Angela Nicholas
THE WOLVES, The Echo Theater Company
::
Best production of a play — large theater
CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Geffen Playhouse
DANA H., Center Theatre Group
LACKAWANNA BLUES, Center Theatre Group
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL, Garry Marshall Theatre
LINDA VISTA, Center Theatre Group
::
Best production of a musical — intimate theater
LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL, Chance Theater
THE LAST FIVE YEARS: A MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCE, After Hours Theatre Company
THE PRODUCERS, Celebration Theatre
::
Best production of a musical — large theater
RAGTIME, Pasadena Playhouse
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
WITNESS UGANDA, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
::
Best presented production
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
AIN’T TOO PROUD, Center Theatre Group
AN INSPECTOR CALLS, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
::
Acting ensemble of the play
AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING, Sophina Brown
COST OF LIVING, Fountain Theatre
DANIEL’S HUSBAND, Fountain Theatre
LINDA VISTA, Center Theatre Group
RADIANT VERMIN, Door Number 3 Theatre
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, Angela Nicholas
THE WOLVES, the Echo Theater Company
::
Acting ensemble of a musical
LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE, Geffen Playhouse
LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL, Chance Theater
RAGTIME, Pasadena Playhouse
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
WITNESS UGANDA, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
::
Choreography
EDGAR GODINEAUX & JARED GRIMES, ‘LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE,’ Geffen Playhouse
ABDUR-RAHIM JACKSON, ‘WITNESS UGANDA,’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
SPENCER LIFF, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
JEFFREY SCOTT PARSONS, ‘DAMES AT SEA,’ Sierra Madre Playhouse
JOHN PENNINGTON, ‘A PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY,’ A Noise Within
STEPHANIE SHROYER, ‘ARGONAUTIKA,’ A Noise Within
JOHN TODD, ‘THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND,’ Reprise 2.0
::
Music direction
DARRYL ARCHIBALD, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
MATT GOULD, ‘WITNESS UGANDA,’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
KEITH HARRISON, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
JENNIFER LIN, ‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS: A MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCE,’ After Hours Theatre Company
GERALD STERNBACH, ‘THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND,’ Reprise 2.0
::
Book for an original musical
DENNIS HACKIN, ‘BRONCO BILLY – THE MUSICAL,’ Skylight Theatre Company
DOUG HAVERTY, ‘A CAROL CHRISTMAS,’ The Group Rep
FLORIAN KLEIN, ‘SHOOTING STAR – A REVEALING NEW MUSICAL,’ Shooting Star Productions
::
Lyrics/composition for an original musical
MICHELE BROURMAN, CHIP ROSENBLOOM & JOHN TORRES, ‘BRONCO BILLY – THE MUSICAL,’ Skylight Theatre Company
BRUCE KIMMEL, ‘A CAROL CHRISTMAS,’ The Group Rep
ERIK RANSOM & THOMAS ZAUFKES, ‘SHOOTING STAR – A REVEALING NEW MUSICAL,’ Shooting Star Productions
::
Playwriting for an original play
MALCOLM BARRETT, ‘BRAIN PROBLEMS,’ Ammunition Theatre Company
JAMI BRANDLI, ‘BLISS (OR EMILY POST IS DEAD!),’ Moving Arts
JONATHAN CAREN, ‘CANYON,’ IAMA Theatre Company
ELIZA CLARK, ‘QUACK,’ Center Theatre Group
NATE RUFUS EDELMAN, ‘DESERT RATS,’ The Latino Theater Company
LUCAS HNATH, ‘DANA H.,’ Center Theatre Group
ANNA MOENCH, ‘MAN OF GOD,’ East West Players
::
Direction of a musical
JOCELYN BROWN ‘LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL,’ Chance Theater
JOSEPH LEO BWARIE, ‘THE ROOT BEER BANDITS,’ Garry Marshall Theatre
DAVID LEE, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
SPENCER LIFF, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
GRIFFIN MATTHEWS, ‘WITNESS UGANDA,’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
::
Direction of a play
MICHAEL ARDEN, ‘CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
ALANA DIETZE, ‘THE WOLVES,’ The Echo Theater Company
WILL THOMAS MCFADDEN, ‘ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST,’ the Actors’ Gang Theater
RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON, ‘LACKAWANNA BLUES,’ Center Theatre Group
MICHELE SHAY, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
JOHN VREEKE, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
LES WATERS, ‘DANA H.,’ Center Theatre Group
::
Lead actor in a musical
CLIFTON DUNCAN, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
MARC GINSBURG, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
DULÉ HILL, ‘LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE,’ Geffen Playhouse
MICHAEL STARR, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
JAMIE TORCELLINI, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
::
Lead actress in a musical
KIMBERLY IMMANUEL, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
SARA KING, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
APRIL NIXON, ‘THE COLOR PURPLE,’ Greenway Arts Alliance
MONIKA PEÑA, ‘LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL,’ Chance Theater
SHANNON WARNE, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
::
Lead actor in a play
TIM CUMMINGS, ‘DANIEL’S HUSBAND,’ Fountain Theatre
JEFFERSON MAYS, ‘CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
ROB NAGLE, ‘THE JUDAS KISS,’ Boston Court Pasadena
RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON, ‘LACKAWANNA BLUES,’ Center Theatre Group
FELIX SOLIS, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
BOB TURTON, ‘ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST,’ The Actors’ Gang Theater
::
Lead actress in a play
CHERISE BOOTHE, ‘AMERICAN SAGA – GUNSHOT MEDLEY: PART 1,’ Rogue Machine
DEIDRIE HENRY, ‘LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL,’ Garry Marshall Theatre
CASEY KRAMER, ‘THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE,’ Angela Nicholas
MILDRED LANGFORD, ‘AMERICAN SAGA – GUNSHOT MEDLEY: PART 1,’ Rogue Machine
ELLEN LAUREN, ‘BACCHAE,’ the Getty Villa
ANGELA NICHOLAS, ‘THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE,’ Angela Nicholas
DEIDRE O’CONNELL, ‘DANA H.,’ Center Theatre Group
KATY SULLIVAN, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
::
Featured actor in a musical
RICK BATALLA, ‘JULIUS WEEZER,’ Troubadour Theater Company
JOSH GRISETTI, ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
ADAM LENDERMON, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
DYLAN SAUNDERS, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
MICHAEL A. SHEPPERD, ‘THE PRODUCERS,’ Celebration Theatre
PHILLIP TARATULA, ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
DANIEL J. WATTS, ‘LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE,’ Geffen Playhouse
::
Featured actress in a musical
LEDISI, ‘WITNESS UGANDA,’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
GISELA ADISA, ‘LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE,’ Geffen Playhouse
BRYCE CHARLES, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
AMBER IMAN, ‘WITNESS UGANDA,’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
JENNIFER KNOX, ‘DAMES AT SEA,’ Sierra Madre Playhouse
RUBY LEWIS, ‘LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE,’ Geffen Playhouse
ZONYA LOVE, ‘LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE,’ Geffen Playhouse
::
Featured actor in a play
TOBIAS FORREST, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
TIM HILDEBRAND, ‘THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE,’ Angela Nicholas
WESLEY MANN, ‘ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD,’ A Noise Within
ALEX MORRIS, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
ROB NAGLE, ‘THE LITTLE FOXES,’ Antaeus Theatre Company
MAURY STERLING, ‘THE JOY WHEEL,’ Ruskin Group Theatre Co
ADOLPHUS WARD, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
::
Featured actress in a play
JENNY O’HARA, ‘DANIEL’S HUSBAND,’ Fountain Theatre
NIJA OKORO, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
XOCHITL ROMERO, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
JAQUITA TA’LE, ‘TOO HEAVY FOR YOUR POCKET,’ Sacred Fools Theater Company
JOCELYN TOWNE, ‘THE LITTLE FOXES,’ Antaeus Theatre Company
CORA VANDER BROEK, ‘LINDA VISTA,’ Center Theatre Group
DENISE YOLÉN, ‘SCRAPS,’ The Matrix Theatre Company
::
Costume design — intimate theater
NAILA ALADDIN-SANDERS, ‘TOO HEAVY FOR YOUR POCKET,’ Sacred Fools Theater Company
ALLISON DILLARD, ‘BLISS (OR EMILY POST IS DEAD!),’ Moving Arts
ELENA FLORESSEÑOR, ‘PLUMMER’S FINAL FIESTA,’ Rogue Artists Ensemble
DIANNE GRAEBNER, ‘THE JUDAS KISS,’ Boston Court Pasadena
TERRI A. LEWIS, ‘THE LITTLE FOXES,’ Antaeus Theatre Company
RACHAEL LORENZETTI, ‘LIZZIE, THE MUSICAL,’ Chance Theater
MYLETTE NORA, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
::
Costume design — large theater
KATE BERGH, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
JESSICA CHAMPAGNE-HANSEN, ‘THE ROOT BEER BANDITS,’ Garry Marshall Theatre
JENNY FOLDENAUER, ‘ARGONAUTIKA,’ A Noise Within
CARLTON JONES, ‘WITNESS UGANDA,’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
DANE LAFFREY, ‘CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
SHON LEBLANC, ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,’ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
KAREN PERRY, ‘BLACK SUPER HERO MAGIC MAMA,’ Geffen Playhouse
::
Fight direction
JEN ALBERT, ‘SUCKER PUNCH,’ Coeurage Theatre Company
AARON AOKI & THOMAS ISAO MORINAKA, ‘VIETGONE,’ East West Players
AHMED BEST, ‘SCRAPS,’ The Matrix Theatre Company
MICHAEL CALACINO, ‘ROPE,’ Actors Co-op
ANDY LOWE, ‘MAN OF GOD,’ East West Players
MIKE MAHAFFEY, ‘DEFINITION OF MAN,’ DConstruction Arts
JESSE JAMES THOMAS, ‘TWO NOBLE KINSMEN,’ The Porters of Hellsgate
::
Lighting design — intimate theater
CHU-HSUAN CHANG, ‘HYPE MAN: A BREAK BEAT PLAY,’ Fountain Theatre
JENNIFER EDWARDS, ‘DANIEL’S HUSBAND,’ Fountain Theatre
BRIAN GALE, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
JOHN GAROFALO, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
JARED SAYEG, ‘THE LITTLE FOXES,’ Antaeus Theatre Company
ANDREW SCHMEDAKE, ‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS: A MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCE,’ After Hours Theatre Company
JAYMI SMITH, ‘EVERYTHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED,’ Boston Court Pasadena
::
Lighting design — large theater
ELIZABETH HARPER, ‘MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES,’ Geffen Playhouse
THOMAS ONTIVEROS, ‘LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL,’ Garry Marshall Theatre
JARED SAYEG, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
JARED SAYEG, ‘THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND,’ Reprise 2.0
JENNIFER SCHRIEVER, ‘LACKAWANNA BLUES,’ Center Theatre Group
BEN STANTON,’ CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
PAUL TOBEN, ‘DANA H.,’ Center Theatre Group
::
Scenic design — intimate theater
FRANCOIS-PIERRE COUTURE, ‘EVERYTHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED,’ Boston Court Pasadena
JOEL DAAVID, ‘A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE,’ Dance On Productions
STEPHEN GIFFORD, ‘THE PRODUCERS,’ Celebration Theatre
MATTHEW G. HILL, ‘SEÑOR, ‘PLUMMER’S FINAL FIESTA,’ Rogue Artists Ensemble
JOHN IACOVELLI, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
JOHN IACOVELLI, ‘THE LITTLE FOXES,’ Antaeus Theatre Company
DEANNE MILLAIS, ‘DANIEL’S HUSBAND,’ Fountain Theatre
::
Scenic design — large theater
BRETT J. BANAKIS, ‘MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES,’ Geffen Playhouse
MIKE BILLINGS, ‘HEISENBERG,’ Rubicon Theatre Company
ANDREW BOYCE, ‘DANA H.,’ Center Theatre Group
TOM BUDERWITZ, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
DANE LAFFREY, ‘CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
DANE LAFFREY, ‘QUACK,’ Center Theatre Group
TODD ROSENTHAL, ‘LINDA VISTA,’ Center Theatre Group
::
Sound design — intimate theater
MALIK ALLEN, ‘HYPE MAN: A BREAK BEAT PLAY,’ Fountain Theatre
JEFF GARDNER, ‘AMERICAN SAGA – GUNSHOT MEDLEY: PART 1,’ Rogue Machine
JEFF GARDNER, ‘AUGUST WILSON’S TWO TRAINS RUNNING,’ Sophina Brown
JEFF GARDNER, ‘SCRAPS,’ The Matrix Theatre Company
ADAM MACIAS, ‘ROPE,’ Actors Co-op
CHRISTOPHER MOSCATIELLO, ‘RADIANT VERMIN,’ Door Number 3 Theatre
CRICKET MYERS, ‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS: A MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCE,’ After Hours Theatre Company
::
Sound design — large theater
PHILIP ALLEN, ‘LACKAWANNA BLUES,’ Center Theatre Group
PHILIP ALLEN, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
ROBERT ARTURO RAMIREZ, ‘LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL,’ Garry Marshall Theatre
MIKHAIL FIKSEL, ‘DANA H.,’ Center Theatre Group
HOWARD HO, ‘MAN OF GOD,’ East West Players
ROBERT ORIOL, ‘ARGONAUTIKA,’ A Noise Within
JOSHUA D. REID, ‘CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
::
Video/projection design — intimate theater
MATTHEW G. HILL, ‘THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE,’ 24th Street Theatre
DAVID MURAKAMI,’ BRONCO BILLY – THE MUSICAL,’ Skylight Theatre Company
DALLAS NICHOLS, ‘SEÑOR, ‘PLUMMER’S FINAL FIESTA,’ Rogue Artists Ensemble
CIHAN SAHIN, ‘ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST,’ The Actors’ Gang Theater
NICHOLAS SANTIAGO, ‘COST OF LIVING,’ Fountain Theatre
::
Video/projection design — large theater
HANA KIM, ‘RAGTIME,’ Pasadena Playhouse
LUCY MACKINNON, ‘CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’ Geffen Playhouse
YEE EUN NAM, ‘THE MOTHER OF HENRY,’ The Latino Theater Company
::
Ovations Honors recipients
MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A PLAY: ROMERO MOSLEY, ‘HYPE MAN: A BREAK BEAT PLAY,’ Fountain Theatre
PUPPET DESIGN: DILLON NELSON & ERIN WALLEY, ‘ARGONAUTIKA,’ A Noise Within
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