Center Theatre Group leads Ovation Awards nominations
The nominations for the 2011-2012 Ovation Awards were announced Tuesday evening. Leading the way were Center Theatre Group with 29 nominations, followed by the Celebration Theatre and Musical Theatre West, with 16 nominations each.
Productions that received the most nominations included the Celebrationâs staging of the musical âThe Color Purpleâ with 13 nominations; Danai Guriraâs new play âThe Convert,â at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, with 11; David Lindsay-Abaireâs âGood People,â at the Geffen Playhouse, with eight; and the revival of Samuel Beckettâs âWaiting for Godot,â at the Mark Taper Forum, also with eight.
The satirical show âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Volume 2,â at Musical Theatre West, received nine nominations.
The Ovation Awards honors stage productions in the L.A. area and is organized by the L.A. Stage Alliance. This yearâs awards cover the season from Sept. 1, 2011, through Aug. 28, 2012. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Los Angeles Theatre in downtown.
Among the notable acting nominations are Jane Kaczmarek and Marylouise Burke in âGood Peopleâ; Stephen Spinella and Jonathan Cake in Jordi GalcerĂĄnâs âThe Grönholm Methodâ at the Falcon Theatre; and Alan Mandell, Barry McGovern and Hugo Armstrong in âWaiting for Godot.â
Nominations in the category for best overall season went to CTG, the Geffen Playhouse, the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Musical Theatre West and the Colony Theatre Company.
Hereâs the list of Ovation nominees:
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (LARGE THEATRE)
âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
âA Wrinkle in Timeâ (MainStreet Theatre Company)
âThe Mystery of Irma Vepâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (INTIMATE THEATRE)
âNine Circlesâ (Bootleg Theater)
âWhatâs Wrong with Angry?â (Celebration Theatre)
âThe Elephant Manâ (Mechanicals Theatre Group)
âPeace in Our Timeâ (The Antaeus Company)
âAll My Sonsâ (The Matrix Theatre Company)
âCouples Counseling Killed Katieâ (Ugly Dog Productions & The Elephant Theatre Company)
âSantasia: A Holiday Comedyâ (Whitefire Theatre)
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (LARGE THEATRE)
âAvenue Qâ (3-D Theatricals)
âMiss Saigonâ (La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts)
âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
âHairsprayâ (Musical Theatre West)
âTwo Gentlemen of Chicagoâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (INTIMATE THEATRE)
âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
âSpring Awakeningâ (Over the Moon Productions)
BEST PRESENTED PRODUCTION
âFollliesâ (Center Theatre Group: Ahmanson Theatre)
âWar Horseâ (Center Theatre Group: Ahmanson Theatre)
âRedâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
PLAYWRIGHTING FOR AN ORIGINAL PLAY
Lisa Loomer, âCafĂ© Vidaâ (Cornerstone Theater Company)
Andrew Dolan, âThe Many Mistresses of Martin Luther Kingâ (Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA)
Stephen Sachs, âCyranoâ (Fountain Theatre)
Keith Stevenson, âOut There on Fried Meat Ridge Rd.â (Pacific Resident Theatre)
Christina Hart, âBirds of a Featherâ (The Complex)
Evelina Fernandez, âHope: Part II of a Mexican Trilogyâ (The Los Angeles Theatre Center)
Johnny OâCallagan, âWhoâs Your Daddy?â (The Victory Theatre Center)
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Michael Matthews, âWhatâs Wrong With Angry?â (Celebration Theatre)
Emily Mann, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Michael Arabian, âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
Gates McFadden, âHouse of Goldâ (Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA)
Matt Shakman, âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
Neil Patrick Stewart, âThe Elephant Manâ (Mechanicals Theatre Group)
Jenny Sullivan, âThe Mystery of Irma Vepâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Matt Shakman, âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
Michael Matthews, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
William Selby, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Rick Sparks, âI Love Lucy Live on Stageâ (Rockahn, LLC)
Patrick Pearson, âRooms: A Rock Romanceâ (The Chance Theater)
BOOK FOR AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL
Isaac Laskin, âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
Parmer Fuller, âStations: A Los Angeles Holiday Storyâ (Ensemble Theatre Company)
Cheri Steinkellner, âHello! My Babyâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
LYRICS/MUSIC FOR AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL
Matthew Fogel, Isaac Laskin and David Richman, âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
Matsato Baba, âThe Brahmin and the Tigerâ (Company of Angels)
James Coco, Parmer Fuller and Michael Kramer, âStations: A Los Angeles Holiday Storyâ (Ensemble Theatre Company)
ACTING ENSEMBLE FOR A PLAY
The Cast of âNine Circlesâ (Bootleg Theater)
The Cast of âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
The Cast of âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
The Cast of âThe Grönholm Methodâ (Falcon Theatre)
The Cast of âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
The Cast of âThe Jacksonianâ (Geffen Playhouse)
The Cast of âThe Savannah Disputationâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
ACTING ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL
The Cast of âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
The Cast of âRing of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cashâ (Cabrillo Music Theatre)
The Cast of âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
The Cast of âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
The Cast of âSpring Awakeningâ (Over the Moon Productions)
MUSIC DIRECTION
David Richman, âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
Jeff Lisenby, âRing of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cashâ (Cabrillo Music Theatre)
Gregory Nabours, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Matthew Smedal, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Rachael Lawrence, âSpring Awakeningâ (Over the Moon Productions)
Eric Heinly, âA Christmas Westside Storyâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
Eric Heinly, âTwo Gentlemen of Chicagoâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
CHOREOGRAPHY
Janet Roston, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Lili Fuller, Matthew Krumpe, Adam North, Joe Sofranko and Juliana Tyson, âStations: A Los Angeles Holiday Storyâ (Ensemble Theatre Company)
Dana Solimando, âMiss Saigonâ (La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts)
Lee Martino, âHello! My Babyâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
Lisa Hopkins, âDames at Seaâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
Tina Kronis, âThe Treatmentâ (The Theatre @ Boston Court)
Molly Alvarez, âA Christmas Westside Storyâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY
Patrick Adams as Reeves, âNine Circlesâ (Bootleg Theater)
Alan Mandell as Estragon, âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
Barry McGovern as Vladimir, âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
Troy Kotsur as Cyrano, âCyranoâ (Fountain Theatre)
Jon Jon Briones as Mango, âThe Romance of Magno Rubioâ (John Anson Ford Theatre)
Jamie Torcellini in various roles, âThe Mystery of Irma Vepâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
Steve Hofvendahl, âPeace in Our Timeâ (The Antaeus Company)
LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Pascale Armand as Jekesai/Ester, âthe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Jacqueline Wright as Jon BenĂ©t, âHouse of Goldâ (Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA)
Jane Kaczmarek as Margie, âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
Anne Gee Byrd as Mary, âThe Savannah Disputationâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
Ellen Lauren as Hecuba, âTrojan Women (After Euripides)â (The J. Paul Getty Trust)
Ann Gee Byrd as Kate Keller, âAll My Sonsâ (The Matix Theatre Company)
Jessica Tuck as Actress, âCouples Counseling Killed Katieâ (Ugly Dog Productions & The Elephant Theatre Company)
LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Adam Shapiro as Joe, Swing, âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
Michael Shepperd as Mister, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Joseph Foronda as the Engineer, âMiss Saigonâ (La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts)
David Engel as Man 2, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Larry Raben as Man 1, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Davis Gaines as Cervantes/Quixote, âMan of La Manchaâ (Musical Theatre West)
Gary Patent as Haskell, âThe Immigrantâ (West Coast Jewish Theatre)
LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Meagan English in various roles, âHey, Morgan!â (Black Dahlia Theatre)
Bets Malone as Princess Winnifred, âOnce Upon a Mattressâ (Cabrillo Music Theatre)
Cesili Williamns as Celie, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Susanne Blakeslee as Woman 1, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Valerie Fagan as Woman 2, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Lesli Margherita as Aldonza, âMan of La Manchaâ (Musical Theatre West)
Tami Tappan Damiano as the Lady of the Lake, âSpamalotâ (Musical Theatre West)
FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
Kevin Mambo as Chancellor, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Hugo Armstrong as Lucky, âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
Jonathan Cake as Frank, âThe Grönholm Methodâ (Falcon Theatre)
Stephen Spinella as Rick, âThe Grönholm Methodâ (Falcon Theatre)
Jemal McNeil as Henderson, âCagesâ (LDG Productions LLC)
Chris Butler as Caesar Wilks, âGem of the Oceanâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
Josh Clark as Father Murphy, âThe Savannah Disputationâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Kelly Schumann as Linda, âWhatâs Wrong With Angry?â (Celebration Theatre)
Cheryl Lynn Bruce as Mai Tamba, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Zainab Jah as Prudence, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Sara Botsford as Jean, âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
Marylouise Burke as Dottie, âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
Bonnie Bailey Reed as Margaret, âThe Savannah Disputationâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
Rebecca Mozo as Melissa, âThe Savannah Disputationâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Nathan Danforth in various roles, âAvenue Qâ (3-D Theatricals)
David Jones as Prof. Marvel/Guard at the Gate/Wizard of Oz, âThe Wizard of Ozâ (3-D Theatricals)
Terrance Spencer as Harpo, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Todrick Hall as Seaweed J. Stubbs, âHairsprayâ (Musical Theatre West)
Matt Walker as Ralphie, âA Christmas Westside Storyâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
Rob Nagle as Valentine, âTwo Gentlemen of Chicagoâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
Matt Walker as Proteus, âTwo Gentlemen of Chicagoâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Tracy Lore as Queen Aggravain, âOnce Upon A Matressâ (Cabrillo Music Theatre)
Kelly Jenrette as Nettie, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
La Toya London as Shug Avery, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Constance Lopez as Sofia, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Tracy Lore as Velma Von Tussle, âHairsprayâ (Musical Theatre West)
Beth Kennedy as Launce/Outlaw #3, âTwo Gentlemen of Chicagoâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
Christine Lakin as Julia, âTwo Gentlemen of Chicagoâ (Troubadour Theater Company)
LIGHTING DESIGN (INTIMATE THEATRE)
Timothy Swiss, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Jeremy Pivnick, âThe King of the Desertâ (CoActive Content LLC)
Luke Moyer, âDeathtrapâ (LA Gay & Lesbian Center)
Hilda Kane, âThe Elephant Manâ (Mechanicals Theatre Group)
Brandon Baruch, âSpring Awakeningâ (Over the Moon Productions)
Jeremy Pivnick, âPeace in Our Timeâ (The Antaeus Company)
Jaymi Smith, âThe Childrenâ (The Theatre @ Boston Court)
SCENIC DESIGN (INTIMATE THEATRE)
Tom Buderwitz, âSlow Dance in Midtownâ (Bella Vita Entertainment)
Tom Buderwitz, âThe Many Mistresses of Martin Luther Kingâ (Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA)
Joel Daavid, âDeathtrapâ (LA Gay & Lesbian Center)
Haley Ho, âThe Elephant Manâ (Mechanicals Theatre Group)
Desma Murphy, âThe Waterâs Edgeâ (Road Theatre Company)
Tom Buderwitz, âPeace in Our Timeâ (The Antaeus Company)
Joe Hollbrook, âRooms: A Rock Romanceâ (The Chance Theater)
LIGHTING DESIGN (LARGE THEATRE)
Jean-Yves Tessier, âRing of Fire, the Music of Johnny Cashâ (Cabrillo Music Theatre)
David Weiner, âAmerican Night: The Ballad of Juan Joseâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Lap Chu, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Geoff Korf, âThe Night Watcherâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Brian Gale, âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
Elizabeth Harper, âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
Steven Young, âMiss Saigonâ (La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts)
SCENIC DESIGN (LARGE THEATRE)
Daniel Ostling, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
John Beatty, âPoor Behaviorâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
John Iacovelli, âWaiting for Godotâ (Center Theatre Group: Mark Taper Forum)
Craig Siebels, âGood Peopleâ (Geffen Playhouse)
Tom Buderwitz, âHonus & Meâ (MainStreet Theatre Company)
John Iacovelli, âThe Heiressâ (Pasadena Playhouse)
Stephen Gifford, âOld Wicked Songsâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
SOUND DESIGN (INTIMATE THEATRE)
Ken Sawyer, âDeathtrapâ (LA Gay & Lesbian Center)
Joseph Slawinski, âEternal Thouâ (McCray Productions)
David Marling, âThe Waterâs Edgeâ (Road Theatre Company)
John Zalewski, âPeace in Our Timeâ (The Antaeus Company)
Veronika Vorel and John Zalewski, âThe Childrenâ (The Theatre @ Boston Court)
Martin Carillo, âHave You Seen Alice?â (Theatre of NOTE)
Bill Froggatt, âWicked Lit 2011" (Unbound Productions)
SOUND DESIGN (LARGE THEATRE)
Darron West, âAmerican Night: The Ballad of Juan Joseâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Darron West, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Joe Sofranko, âStations: A Los Angeles Holiday Storyâ (Ensemble Theatre Company)
Erik Carstensen, âThe Pianist of Willesden Laneâ (Geffen Playhouse)
John Zalewski, âA Wrinkle in Timeâ (MainStreet Theatre Company)
David Beaudry, âThe Mystery of Irma Vepâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
Drew Dalzell, âOld Wicked Songsâ (The Colony Theatre Company)
COSTUME DESIGN (INTIMATE THEATRE)
Vicki Conrad, âThe Learned Ladiesâ (Actors Co-op Theatre Company)
Naila Sanders, âThe Color Purple: A Musicalâ (Celebration Theatre)
Shon LeBlanc, âI Love Lucy Live on Stageâ (Rockahan LLC)
Jessica Olson, âStoneface: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keatonâ (Sacred Fools Theatre Company)
Ashley Hayes, âDolls! â Not Your Usual Love Storyâ (Santa Monica Playhouse)
Jessica Olson, âPeace in Our Timeâ (The Antaeus Company)
Marcy Froehlich, âAll My Sonsâ (The Matrix Theatre Company)
COSTUME DESIGN (LARGE THEATRE)
Angela Calin, âThe Bunglerâ (A Noise Within)
Esosa, âAmerican Night: The Ballad of Juan Joseâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Paul Tazewell, âThe Convertâ (Center Theatre Group: Kirk Douglas Theatre)
Alvin Colt, âForbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Volume 2" (Musical Theatre West)
Leah Piehl, âThe Heiressâ (Pasadena Playhouse)
Alex Jaeger, âThe Mystery of Irma Vepâ (Rubicon Theatre Company)
Paul Gunning, âSeascapeâ (Theatre West)
OVERALL SEASON: Center Theatre Group, Geffen Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Musical Theatre West, The Colony Theatre Company
ALSO:
Troubadour Theater Co. and Rogue Machine top Ovations
Ovation Awards nominations announced for 2010-11 season
Geffen Playhouse, Fountain Theatre dominate 2009-10 Ovation Awards
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