• P. Nokio: a Hip-Hop Musical, DATE Schedule
• Seussical, November 2012-January 2013 Schedule
• Anime Momotaro, February – March 2013 Schedule
• James and the Giant Peach, April – May 2013 Schedule
• The Magic Finger, April – May 2013 Schedule
• Peter Pan and Wendy, June – August 2013 Schedule

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues.

Imagination Stage’s collaboration with The Washington Ballet, an original adaptation of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, packs quite a lot into its modest run time. The piece is based on the first and most famous novel written by C. S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia series. In it, the four Pevensie children are sent to live in the English countryside during World War II. While playing in the country house, young Lucy Pevensie happens into a great wardrobe, which just happens to be a portal to another land — the magical land of Narnia. There, she meets Mr. Tumnus the Faun, who invites her to tea. Her brother, Edmund, also discovers Narnia. He meets the White Witch, the self-declared Queen of Narnia. Edmund is seduced by the Witch’s offer of power. He promises to bring his siblings to her. Eventually, all four Pevensie children embark upon an adventure across Narnia to meet the Legendary Aslan.

The actors, dancers, and puppeteers work well together as an ensemble. The performers do a good job streamlining themselves into the overall feel of the show. Because of this, it is difficult to get behind the Pevensie children or Aslan as personalities. Instead, most characters come off as types. As a Narnia fan, I was at first disappointed that Lewis’s characters (particularly Aslan) were not developed a bit more. However, as the show reached its end, I realized that character development, etc., etc., was probably not the point.

Set and puppets (Eric Van Wyk) are quite beautiful. The seamless wardrobe transformation, in particular, immediately sets up the magic of Narnia. Kathleen Geldard’s costumes work very well. The lighting (Colin K. Bills) appropriately captures the energy of each scene. Matthew Pierce’s compositions are lovely and haunting. Like the performers, no production element overshadows any other. Rather, they work together to contribute to the world of the Pevensie children.

The piece (conceived by Kathryn Chase Bryer, David Palmer, Janet Stanford, and Septime Webre) contains such wonderful joi de vivre. Lewis’s tale is complex to begin with, and because it was one of a series of novels about Narnia, it feels episodic and follows a tricky trajectory. Imagination’s adaptation pares down quite a bit of dialogue from the story. Much lingual meaning is replaced with shorter dance sequences, with just enough remaining so that one can follow the general plot. This allowed it to fit within a reasonable amount of time for children to sit still, although I was pleasantly surprised with how few children were fidgeting in their seats. Many looked rapt to attention, yearning for more. This conception smartly appealed to that part of children we adults rarely give them credit for.

Imagination Stage’s new take on classic children’s novel finds strength in approaching a slightly abstracted and dance-heavy performance with youthful energy and a sense of the magic that is so necessary to Lewis’s story. While I understand the decision made to manageably fit it all into ninety minutes, I think this idea would do well upon further exploration to be fleshed out into a longer format. Nonetheless, the piece functions in an exemplary way to expose children to more abstract theatre and dance. Adults, too, will enjoy escaping to Narnia.

Director’s Note

I’ll bet you are here today because you LOVE The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe! Is it the adventure in a fantasy land that attracts you? The fabulous creatures of Narnia? The epic battle between the White Witch and Aslan? Or one of the children with whom you feel especially close?

When Kate Bryer and I sat down with Septime Webre and David Palmer of The Washington Ballet in 2010 to plan our adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ masterpiece for you — the Imagination Stage audience — we decided that our focus would be the four Pevensie children. At the top of the tale, they are at war with one another just as England is at war with Germany. Edmund is the “bad boy” of the story. Once in Narnia, he betrays his siblings and plans to join the forces of Evil. What begins as a squabble between brothers and sisters morphs into a high stake game of life and death for all the characters. By the time the children return home at the end of the story, Edmund, Lucy, Susan, and Peter have all completed astounding journeys not just in time and space but also inwardly, in their hearts.

In our retelling of the classic, you will see that each of the four children is played by an actor and a dancer. Each pair will trade off on the storytelling and sometimes they appear together almost as if their outward and inward journeys have been separated so that you can see each more clearly. In the moments of high emotion, the dancers fill the stage with leaps, turns, and jumps. Then the actors may sing or have a bit of dialogue that helps you to follow the plot. As we worked on this new theatre piece over the last several months, Kate, David, Septime, and I enjoyed discovering how dance and drama complement each other as modes of theatrical expression. In fact, just like our heroes at the end of the book, the four of us collaborated beautifully and never ever squabbled at all! With its action-packed story and vivid characters, we all believe that The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is an epic tale that defies boundaries and deserves all the artistry and imagination we could collectively throw at it.

We hope that what we’ve created touches your hearts as it has touched all of ours…

Photo Gallery

Peter (Sam Lariviere), Lucy (Francesca Forcella), Edmund (Daniel Savetta), and Susan (Laura Chachich)	Edmund (Rafael Cuesta), Professor (Michael John Casey), Susan (Kate Guesman), Peter (Christopher Wilson), and Lucy (Justine Moral)
Lucy (Justine Moral) exits the Wardrobe	Maugrim the Wolf (Dylan Keane – center) and the White Witch’s minions taunt Aslan
The siblings: Peter (Christopher Wilson), Susan (Kate Guesman), Lucy (Justine Moral), and Edmund (Rafael Cuesta) with Aslan (puppeteers Michael John	Aslan (puppeteers Michael John Casey, Betsy Rosen, Tracy Ramsay) fights the White Witch (Morgann Rose)

Photos by Scott Suchman

Cast

• Voice of Aslan, Puppeteer 1, Mr. Beaver, Father Christmas, Professor: Michael John Casey
• Susan or White Witch/Mrs. Macready: Laura Chachich
• Edmund: Rafael Cuesta
• Lucy or White Witch/Mrs. Macready: Francesca Forcella
• Susan: Kate Guesman
• Maugrim the Wolf or Peter or
• Tumnus/Elf: Dylan Keane
• Peter or Maugrim the Wolf: Sam Lariviere
• Lucy: Justine Moral
• Edmund or Maugrim the Wolf or Tumnus/Elf: Robert Mulvey
• Mrs. Beaver, Mother, Voice of White Witch: Sarah Beth Pfeifer
• Puppeteer 3: Tracy Ramsay
• White Witch, Mrs. Macready: Morgann Rose
• Puppeteer 2: Betsy Rosen
• Edmund or Peter: Daniel Savetta
• Tumnus/Elf or Edmund: Chong Sun
• Susan or Lucy: Carly Wheaton
• Peter: Christopher Wilson

Creative Team

• Director: Janet Stanford
• Co-Choreographer/Artistic Director, The Washington Ballet: Septime Webre
• Co-Choreographer/ Associate Artistic Director, The Washington Ballet: David Palmer
• Dramaturg/ Associate Artistic Artistic Director, Imagination Stage: Kathryn Chase Bryer
• Sound Designer: Chris Blaine
• Lighting Designer: Colin K. Bills
• Stage Manager: Kristen J. Bishel
• Costume Designer: Kathleen Geldard
• Assistant Stage Manager: Jocelyn Henjum
• Composer/Violinist: Matthew Pierce
• Music Director: George Fulginiti Shakar
• Set and Puppet Designer: Eric Van Wyk

Disclaimer: Imagination Stage provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

• Aladdin’s Luck, September – October 2011 Schedule
• Dr. Doolittle, November 2011 – January 2012 Schedule
• P. Nokio: a Hip-Hop Musical , February – March 2012 Schedule
• Rapunzel, April – May 2012 Schedule
• The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, June – August 2012 Schedule

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues.

Kenneth Grahame’s classic book, The Wind in the Willows, takes place in early 20th century Edwardian England, just as the motorcar is becoming available. Richard Hellesen’s musical adaptation, with music and lyrics by Michael Silversher, is the eighth such stage version, premiered in 2004 at the South Coast Repertory in California. The story, set along a quiet rural area of the Thames River, follows timid Mole (Christopher Wilson) as he decides to leave spring-cleaning behind and venture forth into the world above. There, he meets relaxed and carefree Ratty (Vaughn Irving), the unflappable and gruff but kind Mr. Badger (Doug Wilder) and the infamous and seemingly unstoppable Mr. Toad (Sasha Olinick). We see their friendship develop over the course of this utterly charming and magical production for children and adults alike.

A supporting ensemble Maya Jackson, Phillip Reid, Matthew Schleigh and Tia Shearer brings the river and other creatures (Rabbit, Weasels, Stoats and more) inhabiting this magical forest to life with Krissie Marty’s combination of gently choreographed dance-pantomime-puppetry and the actors’ highly stylized characterizations. The talented, tightly knit cast of eight breathes life into the tale, giving wings to artistic director Janet Stanford’s delightfully luscious production.

These charming and sometimes raucous adventures are set against a lovely backdrop of fanciful willow branches and enormous cattails evocative of the unspoiled countryside with which Grahame was familiar, designed by Ethan Sinnott. Andrew F. Griffin’s lighting designs take us from Mole’s home underground to the forest to Toad Hall and eventually to jail.

Costume designer Katie Touart’s representative costumes identify each character as both animal and human, using hints of the animal nature by snippets of fur, choices of fabric or hints of decoration, not limited to Toad’s duster jacket covered in tire tracks. Badger’s hat, Toad’s suit, Mole’s goggles – each of these elements suggests the true nature of the creatures in the story.

The actors make full use of Imagination Stage’s theatre space, with little or no separation between the stage and the house. In essence we are more participants than observers in this cautionary tale of what happens when Toad’s self control is abandoned to the glorious quest after technology and how he must find his way back to his home and friends.

An ensemble of gently rolling gloves and pantomime motion illustrates the River, so central to the plot of the story, with puppet boats providing the simultaneous foreground to illustrate our friends as they travel to visit Badger and Toad. Puppet cars are stand-in representations of the real things, as Toad drives them to their various disastrous fates, also by pantomime, with lights and sound effects providing the rest.

The Wind in the Willows will entertain children and adults alike. Even the jaded Tween in our party was so enthusiastic about the production that she was inspired to suggest giving a copy of the book to her younger cousin. Imagination Stage’s production is suitable for ages four and up, though there were some in the audience who were considerably younger. And – best of all – there isn’t a bad seat in the house!

Director’s Note

Kenneth Grahame belonged to that group of late 19th century British writers who deplored industrialization, the rise of the middle class, the loss of the time-honored ways of the gentry, the unspoiled English countryside and what he saw as the simple, pastoral loveliness and proper values of the past.

Grahame made his name as an essayist writing a thinly veiled autobiography about his own childhood. Farmed out after the death of his parents to an old aunt in Berkshire and growing up with his brothers and sisters largely unsupervised, Grahame cherished the child’s imaginative freedom. He dubbed all adults “Olympians” whom he viewed as wielding power over the young, forcing them ultimately into boring lives of drudgery and responsibility.

He began The Wind in the Willows as a story about the adventures of Mr. Toad for his one and only son, Alistair “Mouse” Grahame. The character of Toad has been interpreted as inspired by the young Mouse himself-willful, changeable and impulsive-yet loved and indulged by his doting parents. The character of Badger echoes what might have been Grahame’s mantra with the dictum: “Honor, gentlemen-duty to a friend.” In the author’s mind, I have no doubt that the ending of The Wind in the Willows represents a triumphant return to the status quo.

However, unlike Grahame, we now see the story through the lens of the last century and through the greatest tragedy of Grahame’s own life-Mouse’s untimely death at the age of 20. The tide of modernism that Grahame so wished to hold back engulfed the 20th century. Britain survived two World Wars but lost its colonies across the world. The dreaded motor cars now clog up cities and highways across England such that you would be hard pressed to find an un-peopled picnic spot along the Thames like the one that Mole and Rat enjoy. The glory days that Grahame so cherished are probably no longer a realistic wish for the future; however, the values of loyalty and friendship, and of the renewable inspiration of nature, are timeless ideals to which this beautiful story reminds us to cleave.

Cast (in alphabetical order)

• Rat: Vaughn Irving
• Ensemble: Maya Jackson
• Toad: Sasha Olinick
• Weasel: Phillip Reid
• Chief Weasel: Matthew Schleigh
• Barge Woman: Tia Shearer
• Badger: Doug Wilder
• Mole: Christopher Wilson

Crew

• Director: Janet Stanford
• Musical Director: Darius Smith
• Assistant Director: Sasha Brätt
• Choreographer: Krissie Marty
• Scenic Designer: Ethan Sinnott
• Lighting Designer: Andrew F. Griffin
• Costume Designer: Katie Touart
• Sound Designer: Christopher Baine
• Stage Manager: Kristen J. Bishel
• Sound Board Operator: Lauren Evans
• Deck Captain: Karen Bilotti

Disclaimer: Imagination Stage provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

• 23 different companies received nominations.
• Shakespeare Theatre Company and the Kennedy Center each had six different productions nominated.
• Arena Stage received 23 total nominations, STC 22, Folger 19, and Kennedy Center 18
• The most nominated show was Candide, by the Shakespeare Theatre Company, with 12 nominations.

View the nominations by category or by company.

Nominations Listed by Category

Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production

• Diane Coburn Bruning, Improbable Frequency, Solas Nua
• Ben Cunis, King Arthur, Synetic Theater
• Parker Esse, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Maurice Hines, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Irina Tsikurishvili, King Arthur, Synetic Theater
• Irina Tsikurishvili, Othello, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production

• Mara Blumenfeld, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Murell Horton, The Liar, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• William Ivey Long, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Reggie Ray, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Anastasia Ryurikov Simes, Othello, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

• Toby Orenstein, Hairspray, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• Eric Schaeffer, Chess, Signature Theatre
• Molly Smith, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Molly Smith, The Light in the Piazza, Arena Stage
• Mary Zimmerman, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Outstanding Director, Resident Play

• Kasi Campbell, Travels With My Aunt, Rep Stage
• Joseph Haj, Hamlet, Folger Theatre
• Robert Richmond, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Howard Shalwitz, Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Paata Tsikurishvili, Othello, Synetic Theater
• Paata Tsikurishvili, The Master and Margarita, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

• Steel Burkhardt, Hair, The Kennedy Center
• Brent Michael DiRoma, Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood, The Kennedy Center
• Gavin Lee, Mary Poppins, The Kennedy Center
• David Pittsinger, South Pacific, The Kennedy Center

Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical

• Maurice Hines, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Marc Kudisch, Sycamore Trees, Signature Theatre
• Geoff Packard, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Nicholas Rodriguez, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Bobby Smith, Annie, Olney Theatre Center
• Cody Williams, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage

Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

• Carmen Cusack, South Pacific, The Kennedy Center
• Jaqueline Grabois, Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Caroline Sheen, Mary Poppins, The Kennedy Center
• Kacie Sheik, Hair, The Kennedy Center
• Caren Lyn Tackett, Hair, The Kennedy Center

Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical

• E. Faye Butler, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Eleasha Gamble, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Carrie A. Johnson, Annie, Olney Theatre Center
• Lauren Molina, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Jill Paice, Chess, Signature Theatre
• Hollis Resnik, The Light in the Piazza, Arena Stage

Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

• Lise Bruneau, Mikveh, Theater J
• Naomi Jacobson, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Sarah Marshall, Mikveh, Theater J
• Jennifer Mendenhall, Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Erika Rose, In Darfur, Theater J
• Holly Twyford, Orestes, A Tragic Romp, Folger Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

• Colin K. Bills, Antony and Cleopatra, Synetic Theater
• Colin K. Bills, The Master and Margarita, Synetic Theater
• Dan Covey, On the Verge or The Geography of Yearning, Rep Stage
• T.J. Gerckens, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Klyph Stanford, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Justin Townsend, Hamlet, Folger Theatre

Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production

• George Fulginiti-Shakar, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Jon Kalbfleisch, Sunset Boulevard, Signature Theatre
• Daniel Kluger, Orestes, A Tragic Romp, Folger Theatre
• Fred Lassen, Sycamore Trees, Signature Theatre
• Konstantine Lortkipandze, Othello, Synetic Theater
• Doug Peck, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Paul Sportelli, The Light in the Piazza, Arena Stage
• James Sugg, Orestes, A Tragic Romp, Folger Theatre

Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

• Tony Cisek, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Simon Higlett, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• James Kronzer, Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Eugene Lee, Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Derek McLane, The Lisbon Traviata, The Kennedy Center
• Daniel Ostling, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production

• Anthony Cochrane, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Jack Herrick, Hamlet, Folger Theatre
• Irakli Kavsadze, Othello, Synetic Theater
• Konstantine Lortkipandze, Othello, Synetic Theater
• Matthew M. Nielson, Hamlet, Folger Theatre
• Matt Otto, Johnny Meister and the Stitch, Solas Nua
• Michael Rasbury, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Tom Teasley, The Ramayana, Constellation Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical

• Ed Dixon, Sunset Boulevard, Signature Theatre
• James Konicek, Annie, Olney Theatre Center
• Jeremy Kushnier, Chess, Signature Theatre
• John Manzari, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Leo Manzari, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Jesse J. Perez, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Larry Yando, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play

• Louis Butelli, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Adam Green, The Liar, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Michael Tolaydo, New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch De Spinoza, Theater J
• Ted van Griethuysen, All’s Well That Ends Well, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Paxton Whitehead, All’s Well That Ends Well, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical

• MaryLee Adams, Hairspray, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• Lauren ‘Coco’ Cohn, Glimpses of the Moon, MetroStage
• Jesaira Glover, Hairspray, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• Marva Hicks, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Hollis Resnik, Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Jenna Sokolowski, Annie, Olney Theatre Center

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play

• Colleen Delany, Pirates! A Boy at Sea, Imagination Stage
• Naomi Jacobson, Richard II, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• MacKenzie Meehan, Circle Mirror Transformation, The Studio Theatre
• Phylicia Rashad, every tongue confess, Arena Stage
• Dawn Ursula, Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production

• Ellen Harvey, Mary Poppins, The Kennedy Center
• Jodi Kimura, South Pacific, The Kennedy Center
• Marc Kudisch, Golden Age, The Kennedy Center
• Josh Lamon, Hair, The Kennedy Center
• Hoon Lee, Golden Age, The Kennedy Center

The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical

• every tongue confess, Marcus Gardley, Arena Stage
• Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred), music by Zina Goldrich, The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• Sycamore Trees, book, music & lyrics by Ricky Ian Gordon, Signature Theatre
• Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred), book & lyrics by Marcy Heisler, The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• The Liar, David Ives, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, musical arrangements by Deborah Wicks La Puma, The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• Sycamore Trees, book by Nina Mankin, Signature Theatre
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, music by Michael Silversher, The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• Pirates! A Boy at Sea, Charles Way, Imagination Stage
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, script & lyrics by Mo Willems, The Kennedy Center Family Theater

The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play

• Philip Fletcher, Othello, Synetic Theater
• John Glover, The Lisbon Traviata, The Kennedy Center
• Graham Michael Hamilton, Hamlet, Folger Theatre
• Mitchell Hébert, Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Bill Largess, The Foreigner, The Bay Theatre Company, Inc.
• Alex Mills, Othello, Synetic Theater
• Cody Nickell, Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Ian Merrill Peakes, Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Johnny Ramey, Superior Donuts, The Studio Theatre
• Alexander Strain, New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch De Spinoza, Theater J

Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical

• Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Hairspray, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• If You Give a Pig a Pancake, Adventure Theatre
• Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred), The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• Sycamore Trees, Signature Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play

• American Buffalo, The Studio Theatre
• Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• Orestes, A Tragic Romp, Folger Theatre
• Othello, Synetic Theater
• Travels With My Aunt, Rep Stage

Outstanding Non-Resident Production

• Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• The Last Cargo Cult, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Mary Poppins, The Kennedy Center
• South Pacific, The Kennedy Center
• Thurgood, The Kennedy Center

Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences

• If You Give a Pig a Pancake, Adventure Theatre
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• The Nutcracker, The Puppet Co.
• Pirates! A Boy at Sea, Imagination Stage
• Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred), The Kennedy Center Family Theater
• The Red Balloon, Adventure Theatre

Outstanding Resident Musical

• Annie, Olney Theatre Center
• Candide, Shakespeare Theatre Company
• Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Arena Stage
• Hairspray, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• The Light in the Piazza, Arena Stage
• Little Shop of Horrors, Ford’s Theatre
• Oklahoma!, Arena Stage
• Sweeney Todd, Signature Theatre

Outstanding Resident Play

• Clybourne Park, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
• Hamlet, Folger Theatre
• Henry VIII, Folger Theatre
• The Master and Margarita, Synetic Theater
• New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch De Spinoza, Theater J
• Orestes, A Tragic Romp, Folger Theatre
• Othello, Synetic Theater
• Superior Donuts, The Studio Theatre

The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company

• No Rules Theatre Company
• Factory 449: a theatre collective

Nominations listed By Company Name

Adventure Theatre

• If You Give a Pig a Pancake
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
  • Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences
• The Red Balloon
  • Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences

Arena Stage

• Oklahoma!
  • Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production, Parker Esse
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Musical, Molly Smith
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Nicholas Rodriguez
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Cody Williams
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, E. Faye Butler
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, Eleasha Gamble
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, George Fulginiti-Shakar
  • Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, Eugene Lee
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
  • Outstanding Resident Musical
• Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies
  • Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production, Maurice Hines
  • Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production, Reggie Ray
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Maurice Hines
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, John Manzari
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, Leo Manzari
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, Marva Hicks
  • Outstanding Resident Musical
• The Light in the Piazza
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Musical, Molly Smith
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, Hollis Resnik
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, Paul Sportelli
  • Outstanding Resident Musical
• every tongue confess
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play, Phylicia Rashad
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, Marcus Gardley

The Bay Theatre Company, Inc.

• The Foreigner
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Bill Largess

Constellation Theatre Company

• The Ramayana
  • Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production, Tom Teasley

Factory 449: a theatre collective

• The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company

Folger Theatre

• Henry VIII
  • Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production, William Ivey Long
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Play, Robert Richmond
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play, Naomi Jacobson
  • Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, Klyph Stanford
  • Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, Tony Cisek
  • Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production, Anthony Cochrane
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play, Louis Butelli
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Ian Merrill Peakes
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
  • Outstanding Resident Play
• Hamlet
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Play, Joseph Haj
  • Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, Justin Townsend
  • Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production, Matthew M. Nielson
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Graham Michael Hamilton
  • Outstanding Resident Play
• Orestes, A Tragic Romp
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play, Holly Twyford
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, James Sugg
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
  • Outstanding Resident Play

Ford’s Theatre

• Little Shop of Horrors
  • Outstanding Resident Musical

Imagination Stage

• Pirates! A Boy at Sea
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play, Colleen Delany
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, Charles Way
  • Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences

The Kennedy Center

• Hair
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production, Steel Burkhardt
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Kacie Sheik
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Caren Lyn Tackett
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production, Josh Lamon
• Thurgood
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production, Laurence Fishburne
  • Outstanding Non-Resident Production
• Mary Poppins
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production, Gavin Lee
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Caroline Sheen
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production, Ellen Harvey
  • Outstanding Non-Resident Production
• South Pacific
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production, David Pittsinger
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Carmen Cusack
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production, Jodi Kimura
  • Outstanding Non-Resident Production
• The Lisbon Traviata
  • Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, Derek McLane
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, John Glover
• Golden Age
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production, Marc Kudisch
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production, Hoon Lee

The Kennedy Center Family Theater

• Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred)
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, music by Zina Goldrich
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, book & lyrics by Marcy Heisler
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
  • Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, music by Michael Silversher
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, script & lyrics by Mo Willems
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, musical arrangements by Deborah Wicks La Puma
  • Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences

MetroStage

• Glimpses of the Moon
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, Lauren ‘Coco’ Cohn

No Rules Theatre Company

• The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company

Olney Theatre Center

• Annie
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Bobby Smith
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, Carrie A. Johnson
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, James Konicek
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, Jenna Sokolowski
  • Outstanding Resident Musical

The Puppet Co.

• The Nutcracker
  • Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences

Rep Stage

• Travels With My Aunt
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Play, Kasi Campbell
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
• On the Verge or The Geography of Yearning
  • Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, Dan Covey

Shakespeare Theatre Company

• Candide
  • Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production, Mara Blumenfeld
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Musical, Mary Zimmerman
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Geoff Packard
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, Lauren Molina
  • Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, T.J. Gerckens
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, Doug Peck
  • Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, Daniel Ostling
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, Jesse J. Perez
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, Larry Yando
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, Hollis Resnik
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
  • Outstanding Resident Musical
• The Liar
  • Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production, Murell Horton
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play, Adam Green
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, David Ives
• Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production, Brent Michael DiRoma
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Jaqueline Grabois
  • Outstanding Non-Resident Production
• Mrs. Warren’s Profession
  • Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, Simon Higlett
• All’s Well That Ends Well
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play, Ted van Griethuysen
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play, Paxton Whitehead
• Richard II
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play, Naomi Jacobson

Signature Theatre

• Chess
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Musical, Eric Schaeffer
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, Jill Paice
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, Jeremy Kushnier
• Sycamore Trees
  • Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Marc Kudisch
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, Fred Lassen
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, book, music & lyrics by Ricky Ian Gordon
  • The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, book by Nina Mankin
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
• Sunset Boulevard
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, Jon Kalbfleisch
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, Ed Dixon
• Sweeney Todd
  • Outstanding Resident Musical

Solas Nua

• Improbable Frequency
  • Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production, Diane Coburn Bruning
• Johnny Meister and the Stitch
  • Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production, Matt Otto

The Studio Theatre

• Circle Mirror Transformation
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play, MacKenzie Meehan
• Superior Donuts
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Johnny Ramey
  • Outstanding Resident Play
• American Buffalo
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play

Synetic Theater

• King Arthur
  • Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production, Irina Tsikurishvili
• Othello
  • Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production, Irina Tsikurishvili
  • Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production, Anastasia Ryurikov Simes
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Play, Paata Tsikurishvili
  • Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production, Konstantine Lortkipandze
  • Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production, Irakli Kavsadze
  • Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production, Konstantine Lortkipandze
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Philip Fletcher
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Alex Mills
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
  • Outstanding Resident Play
• The Master and Margarita
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Play, Paata Tsikurishvili
  • Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, Colin K. Bills
  • Outstanding Resident Play
• Antony and Cleopatra
  • Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, Colin K. Bills

Theater J

• Mikveh
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play, Lise Bruneau
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play, Sarah Marshall
• In Darfur
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play, Erika Rose
• New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch De Spinoza
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play, Michael Tolaydo
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Alexander Strain
  • Outstanding Resident Play

Toby’s Dinner Theatre

• Hairspray
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Musical, Toby Orenstein
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, MaryLee Adams
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, Jesaira Glover
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
  • Outstanding Resident Musical

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

• Clybourne Park
  • Outstanding Director, Resident Play, Howard Shalwitz
  • Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play, Jennifer Mendenhall
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play, Dawn Ursula
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Mitchell Hébert
  • The Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play, Cody Nickell
  • Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, James Kronzer
  • Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
  • Outstanding Resident Play
• The Last Cargo Cult
  • Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Perseus Bayou retells the Greek Myth of Perseus by setting the story in post-Civil War Louisiana. While that premise is probably completely missed by its young audiences, the beautiful sets, costumes and strong performance are more than able to hold the audience’s attention.

Several of the performers were really amazing and their performances brought the entire piece to life. Evan Casey (Polydectes/Acrisius) created a deliciously evil villain with a sickeningly spot-on Southern drawl. Everything about his performance oozed arrogance and cruelty. Casie Platt’s Andromeda was full of vigor and energy and heart. Every young person in the audience probably wanted to run up and play with her infectious character. She also had the strong, sweet vocals of an ingénue to add to her charm. Matthew Schleigh’s Hermes was the perfect mix of trickster and celestial guide. He was fun, playful, and just the right amount of self-interested. He truly inhabited his character’s panther form with his gestures and movements. Shaunté Tabb as Athena had such strong command and presence combined with a hauntingly beautiful and powerful voice that it was easy to believe that she was a god and far above mere mortals.

Unfortunately these amazing performances did overshadow the lead actor. Tyler Herman’s Perseus was wide-eyed and his vocals were pleasant, but he was definitely outmatched when playing against the four actors named above. He definitely has the potential to one day be in the same league as those four performers, but he is not quite there yet.

Less consistent performances were given by some other members of the cast. Lauren Shmalo’s Danae was a little too over-the-top and dramatic and her accent seemed almost melodramatic, but she was much stronger and seemed more in her element as one of the grey ghosts. Ricardo Frederick Evans (Doucet/Beaucepheus) was simply largely forgettable, although basically likeable, amongst the stronger and more dynamic cast members. Kristen Jepperson (Cassie/Medusa) had a gorgeous voice that was highlighted in her time as Medusa, but her acting was extremely stiff and fake and definitely far below the bar set by the rest of the cast.

The scenic design was exquisite. Netting was used to create many set pieces in beautiful sea-like colors to really make everything feel like the bayou. The production also utilized beautifully designed props and puppets throughout. The costumes were this wonderfully creative blend of Greek mythology, Civil War era, and Mardi Gras. As far as Scenic (Tony Cisek) and Costume (Brandon McWilliams) design goes, Imagination Stage appears to be one of the strongest in the area.

The show was well-staged, and the fight choreography (Lorraine Ressegger-Slone) was especially impressive. Director Mary Hall Surface did a good job of bringing all of the elements together. Obviously, it would have been nice to have seen all performers reach the level of the strongest members of the cast. Luckily, those strong members, along with the beautiful sets and costumes, were able to hold the production together and keep it interesting throughout.

Photo Gallery

The evil Polydectes (Evan Casey – center) and his gator-men construct a sinister plan	Percy (Tyler Herman) makes his way through the bayou
Spirit-Cat Hermes (Matthew Schleigh in background) stalks Andromeda (Casie Platt)	Andy (Casie Platt) and Percy (Tyler Herman) are victorious
Athena (Shaunte Tabb in background) helps Percy (Tyler Herman) fly home

Photos by Scott Suchman.

Cast

• Polydectes/Acrisius: Evan Casey
• Doucet/Beaucepheus: Ricardo Frederick Evans
• Perseus: Tyler Herman
• Cassie/Medusa: Kristen Jepperson
• Andromeda: Casie Platt
• Hermes: Matthew Schleigh
• Danae: Lauren Shmalo
• Athena: Shaunté Tabb

Production Team

• Director: Mary Hall Surface
• Music Director: George Fulginiti-Shakar
• Scenic Designer: Tony Cisek
• Lighting Designer: Dan Covey
• Costume Designer: Brandon McWilliams
• Sound Designer: Chris Baine
• Stage Manager: Kristen J. Bishel
• Fight Choreographer: Lorraine Ressegger-Slone
• Choreographer: Ingrid Zimmer
• Associate Scenic Designer: HannaH Crowell
• Associate Lighting Designer: Andrew Cissna

Disclaimer: Imagination Stage provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.