In a little black box theater just on the other side of Chinatown, a show has just begun a thrilling and daring journey into a Neverland. Though the dark staging and serious depiction of real world troubles of this production would make one feel like it is a Neverland not seen before, it is in fact a place on the edges of your mind, you have seen it. There are Pirates and Indians and Lost Boys, but all are at once different and very much more real. It’s a show that quite simply achieves the impossible: presenting a play that fully shows actors performing in a small stage for an audience, while transporting that audience to fully realize the imagination and daring of children who leave their lives in England to escape to a fantasy.

The story has been treated with a heavy-handed dose of tragedy. Michael Darling, the youngest of the children, dies in the prologue and is literally buried in earth beneath the stage. In the program, our director and adapter Michael Lluberes tells us that this was inspired by the tragedy of the original playwright, J.M. Barrie, whose life would always be affected by the death of his brother, taken at a young age. As the rest of the tale unfolds, our mother figure, Mrs Darling (played by Lisa Hodsoll), has been overtaken with the grief Mr. Barrie knew from his own mother’s face. Mrs. Darling is haunted by a face of a boy at the window and throughout her dreams, just as the original script says. In fact, many of the words are taken directly from the original play, but the twist grants them a new, more haunting light.

The children who are left, Wendy (played by Megan Graves) and John (played by Joshua Rosenblum) are put to bed by their sad-faced mother, and awaken to find a boy in their room. Peter comes, claiming to be the embodiment of youth and agelessness, bringing with him a fairy, and whisks them away to Neverland. There the Lost Boys and Pirates and Indians live, all under fear of the dreadful Captain Hook, played by the same Lisa Hodsoll who was recently the tearful Mrs. Darling. Hook rails and rates over his hatred of children, and though Hodsoll brings a real swaggering ferocity to the role, the lines cannot help but be blurred between grieving mother and villain who wishes death on all children because their faces mock him.

Two things are always seen at the same time in this show, as the Lost Boys hear Hook coming and transform into the pirates onstage to wait on him. The room that was the house in London transforms, not in a blackout, not with new set pieces brought in, but as the characters move over it. Like a magic spell that creeps slowly behind the actors, grass appears as the Lost Boys crawl around, looking for Peter, bed frames become boats, and all this happens as our actors play make-believe, seeing things in front of them so hard that the audience is drawn into the myth.

That is the character of the whole show, the duality. Mrs. Darling wears the same strong makeup as Hook, but what the woman wears as dark red tears rimming her eyes, Hook wears as bloodshot eyes and sunken sockets. The lights of the lamps in the Darling house become lanterns in the house of the Lost Boys. So as the story progresses, nothing is added or removed, only transformed into something new. The lights skillfully accentuate the change from fantasy to real, designed to be cold and stark in London, but yellow tinged, exotic and dangerous in Neverland. Even a scene on a seashore is realized by lights focused above the waterline and smoke effects to fill the dark edges where the children dip their feet.

The acting is superb. The actors play both grownups and children with dedication and effort in the physicality. Wendy Darling is wholly lovable, a sweet child with a positive outlook on life who will not take no for an answer. The titular Peter is both a mystery and a terror, wild with childlike surprise, and also a strong leader and ruler of Neverland. John Evans Reese is a powerhouse of an actor with a bodily presence that is both boyish and imposing. This is a Peter with a sharp sword and a rakish smile made lopsided by a black eye from fighting, and yet so charismatic that he draws the story to himself, crowing with pride as he does.

The supporting cast was masterfully brought to life by artists that seemed as much enchanted by the fantasy and pretend as their characters are. An excellent dialect coach and well tuned ears and creativity let each of the Lost Boy/Pirates/Indians character switches come across seamlessly. For instance, Maya Jackson was a very Cockney Boy, a Jamaican pirate and a shrill, fierce Tiger Lily, all portrayed through polished accents and vocal work.

Setting the entire play in the Darling house, with no changes between Acts was a risky choice, but it paid off. Lines about make-believe and dreams became wholly different and were given new life by virtue of the divergence of what was being enacted versus what was seen. The Darling bedroom became a playground, which was completely different from reality just by virtue of believing it to be so, just as any child knows how to do. Furthermore, the reality of the set was broken around the edges by the fantasy that crept in via small doors and windows in the backdrop, and trap doors and smoke filters in the floor. When people and mist filtered in through these breaks, it felt like the fantasy was becoming more than real, almost realer than life.

The production is an original view on a long cherished story, and it is easy to tell that a lot of love went into the crafting of the characters, even as the grueling story takes its effect on their mentalities. Peter is broken by his loss of family, being always young and never knowing the joys of love. Wendy is hurt by Peter’s carelessness, Hook is devastated by the youth he can never have, and the Lost Boys are confused and crippled by their lack of knowledge of reality. The imperfect nature of these characters makes them all the more real, makes them whole, and shows the audience the realities of childhood in all their sweetness and pain.

Director’s Notes

“But the years came and went without bringing the careless boy; and when they met again Wendy was a married woman, and Peter was no more to her than a little dust in the box in which she left her toys.” – Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie

When J.M. Barrie was six years old, his thirteen-year-old brother David died in an ice-skating accident. His mother was devastated by David’s death and found solace in the idea that by dying, her son would remain a little boy forever. From the depths of J.M. Barrie’s own longing, he crafted a potent myth about childhood, loss and what it means to grow up.

Peter Pan is a bloody battle and a delicate dance between children and adults. Barrie was exploiting the terrain of a child’s psychology and imagination in this work. The story is a beautiful allegory about the pain and inevitability of growing up. Using one of Barrie’s own original titles “The Boy Who Hated Mothers,” his initial ideas for the play and his novelization of the story “Peter and Wendy,” we hope to unlock the darker mysteries buried deep inside his masterpiece.

“The horror of my boyhood was that I knew a time would come when I also must give up the games…this agony still returns to me in dreams… I felt that I must continue playing in secret.” – J.M. Barrie

“There are two worlds: the world of everyday and the world of the imagination. When children play, they pass quite naturally through the two worlds all the time, so that at one moment a child may hold a stick and pretend it’s a sword. At one moment you can tell him to drop that stick and he responds to that. At that same time you can tell him to drop that sword and he responds to that. The two worlds coexist…. The theatre should be a meeting place between these two worlds.” – Peter Brook

This new version of Peter Pan is a dangerous game of make-believe, a dark exploration of the psyche of a child – both an adolescent dream and nightmare. Barrie created a theatrical playground of childhood memories, fears and imagination for the adult and child within each of us to play together.

“Cast your mind back into its earliest years, and through them you will see flitting dimly the elusive form of a child. He is yourself, as soon as you can catch him. But move a step nearer, and he is not there. Among the mists of infancy he plays hide and seek with you until one day he trips and falls into the daylight. Now you seize him; and with that touch you two are one.” J.M. Barrie

Welcome to Neverland.

-Michael Lluberes

Adama Downs as Tootles, Maya Jackson as Nibbs and Nathaniel Mendez as Slightly	Lisa Hodsoll as Captain Hook and Adam Downs as Smee
(Above) Maya Jackson (Nibbs), Adam Downs (Tootles), Nathaniel Mendez (Slightly), (Below) John Evans Reese (Peter Pan) and Joshua Rosenblum (John Darli	John Evans Reese as Peter Pan and Megan Downs as Wendy Darling
John Evans Reese in the title role

Photos by C. Stanley Photography

Cast

• Tootles/Smee: Adam Downs
• Wendy: Megan Graves
• Mrs Darling/Captain Hook: Lisa Hodsoll
• Nibs/Bill Jukes/Tiger Lily: Maya Jackson
• Slightly/Starkey: Nathaniel Mendez
• Peter Pan: John Evans Reese
• John Darling: Joshua Rosenblum

Creative Team

• Adapter/Director: Michael Lluberes
• Assistant Director: Tyler Budde
• Technical Director: Steve Cosby
• Music Director: Joshua Morgan
• Assistant Stage Manager: Rebecca Griffith
• Stage Manager: Theresa Hindersinn
• Sound Design and Original Music: Elisheba Ittoop
• Fight Choreography: Casey Kaleba
• Costume Design: Brandon R. McWilliams
• Dialect Coach: Jennifer Mendenhall
• Scenic Design: Daniel Pinha
• Properties Designer: Eric Reynolds
• Wardrobe Head: Jesse R. Shipley
• Assistant Lighting Designer: Ken Wills
• Lighting Design: Carrie Wood
• Production Manager: Cory Ryan Frank

Disclaimer: No Rules Theatre Company provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

• Stop Kiss, September – October 2011
• The Last Five Years, November – December 2011
• Peter Pan, February – March 2012
• Suicide, Incorporated, May – June 2012

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

• 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

Having first been introduced to the work of the No Rules Theater Company through Hedwig and the Angry Inch last summer, I already knew the quality of their work was top-notch. Hedwig being a personal favorite I was instantly a fan, but this is about Charlie Brown not Hedwig! You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown is based off of the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz. We have the infamous peanuts gang Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Snoopy and of course Charlie Brown! The show features Charlie Brown as he is confronted with the pains of adolescence, but has friends around him who do their best to encourage him. No Rules Theater Company has produced a fantastic show with an extremely talented cast of actors.

The talented cast bought the Peanuts characters to life with zest and energy. Augie Praley as Charlie Brown was wonderfully awkward for the role and succeeded in gaining sympathy from the audience throughout Charlie Brown’s constant trials and errors. Kristen Garaffo as the dainty Sally Brown was full of energy, having her chance to shine in “My New Philosophy.” Carolyn Cole was perfect for the role of Lucy van Pelt, giving a strong vocal and comedic performance, showing off her range in such songs as “Schroeder.” Lucy’s love interest Schroeder (Sean Maurice Lynch) was bright, energetic and fully committed to his piano playing. Joshua Morgan as Linus was genuinely in love with both sucking his thumb and his blanket. “Sucking your thumb without a blanket is like eating a cone without the ice cream.” Morgan successfully embodied the brainy five year old. Chris French as Snoopy was such a treat. French pulled off the dynamic “Suppertime” number, and it was too funny when Snoopy caught the spirit after Charlie Brown gave him his dinner! As an ensemble, the cast provided solid vocal performances and managed to maintain high energy throughout a piece that can be physically exhausting. I also give props to the cast for stickin’ to all the one liners throughout the show. This show is full of one liners that could either be hit or miss, but the cast was able to pull it off effortlessly.

Set designer Ryan Wineinger adorned the set with actual pictures and images from the Peanuts comic strip. The maneuverability of the set was fantastic, as parts of it could be dismantled and put back together again at any given moment. Pieces were taken apart for props and other objects used throughout the show, it worked well with the pace of the show.

No Rules Theater Company is still fairly new, but off to a great start and will without a doubt continue to produce great work in the upcoming years.

Photo Gallery

Photos by C. Stanley Photography

Cast

• Linus: Joshua Morgan
• Sally: Kristen Garaffo
• Schroeder: Sean Maurice Lynch
• Snoopy: Chris French
• Lucy: Carolyn Cole
• Charlie Brown: Augie Praley

Crew

• Director: Matt Cowart
• Musical Director: Taylor Williams
• Choreography: Pauline Grossman
• Production Manager: Cory Ryan Frank
• Lighting Designers: Travis McHale and Kyle Grant
• Hair and Make up Design: Stacy Wilson
• Props Designer: Terry Martin
• Set Designer: Ryan Wineinger
• Sound Designer: Neil McFadden
• Costume Designer: Dina Perez
• Assistant Director: Lindsay Gentry
• Assistant Stage Manager: Solomon Haile Selassie
• Associate Set Designer/Scenic Charge: Jessica Moretti
• Assistant Scenic Charge: Alison Daniels
• Set Construction: Troy-Jon Sets LLC
• Scenic Carpenter: Joe Eisenberg
• Assistant Costume Designer: Roejendra Adams
• Sound Operator: Peter Park

Band

• Piano/Conductor: Taylor Williams
• Viola/Violin: Amanda Grossman
• Clarinet/Saxophone/Recorder: Jeremy King
• Percussion: Kirk Kubicek
• Acoustic Bass/Electric Bass: Eliot Seppa

Staff

• Graphic Designer: Will Abner
• NC Development Manager: Jen Blank
• DC Box Office Manager/Events Coordinator: Ray Bracken
• Graphic Designer: Nicole Geldart
• Marketing Manager: Lindsey Hardegree
• Website Designer: Drew Wolber
• Literary Manager: Danny Yoerges

Disclaimer: No Rules Theatre Company provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.