Local theaters take in Ovation nominations

JOYCE RUDOLPH

The Falcon Theatre received four Ovation Award nominations from L.A.

Stage Alliance, it was announced last week.

“A Christmas Carol King,” co-produced by the Troubadour Theatre

Company, was nominated in the World Premiere Musical category, and

for Director of a Musical -- Matt Walker. Another nomination came for

“Aga-Boom!” in the category of Production from a Touring Company.

Jeremy Pivnick was nominated for Lighting Design -- Larger Theater

for “Gretty Good Time.”

Nominated for three was the Alliance Repertory Company’s “The

Hostage” for Ensemble Performance; Play -- Smaller Theater; and Set

Design -- Smaller Theater, Matthew C. Jacobs.

The Colony received two for “Toys in the Attic,” for Play --

Larger Theater; and Featured Actress -- Nancy Linehan Charles.

The Victory Theatre also received two for “Judy’s Scary Little

Christmas” for World Premiere Musical; and Lead Actress -- Connie

Champagne.

The awards will be announced Nov. 23 at the Orpheum Theatre in

downtown Los Angeles. For more information, check the Web site at

www.theatrela.org.

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Only one word can describe Sunday’s final performance of Stepping

Stone Players “Annie”: endearing.

I took my mother and two nieces and nephew and we were all tickled

by its humor and touched by its sentimentality.

In my 48 Hours column Saturday, I said how director Susan Kussman

had staged the show with 40 people in 20 minutes, from curtain call

to taking their bows. But Kussman explained that curtain call and

taking bows are the same thing. It only took her 20 minutes to stage

the process of the 40 actors taking their final bows.

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Also enjoyable was Musical Theatre Guild’s concert staged reading

of “Parade” last week at The Alex Theatre.

It was difficult getting used to people carrying around their

scripts and referring to them from time to time. But, after I read

how these professionals only have 25 hours of rehearsal on this huge

undertaking, I could see why they might need the scripts in hand.

Ira Denmark showed great versatility, turning a distant and

indifferent Leo Frank, who is accused of murder, into a caring and

loving husband. An incredible vocal delivery added to Misty Cotton’s

stunning portrayal of his wife, Lucille. Michael A. Shepperd was

exuberant as chain-gang member Jim Conley.

Next up is “Dear World,” with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and

book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee, scheduled for Nov. 3.

* JOYCE RUDOLPH’s column appears Wednesdays. For events happening

this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at

637-3241.