Two musicals received five awards, Camelot by 2nd Star Productions and Ragtime by Kensington Arts Theatre. Two plays received four awards, The Pillowman by Silver Spring Stage and Red by the Elden Street Players. Kensington Arts Theatre received the most awards, a total of seven for their productions of Ragtime and Next to Normal. Colonial Players was the only theater company to receive awards for three separate productions, 1776, Shipwrecked and Trying.

• 2nd Star Productions
• Aldersgate Church Community Theatre
• The Alliance Theatre
• The Arlington Players
• Capital City Players of DC
• Bowie Community Theatre
• Castaways Repertory Theatre
• Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Chevy Chase Players
• Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Damascus Theatre Company
• Dominion Stage
• Elden Street Players
• Fauquier Community Theatre
• Greenbelt Arts Center
• Hard Bargain Players
• Kensington Arts Theatre
• Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Little Theatre of Alexandria
• McLean Community Players
• Montgomery Playhouse
• Port City Playhouse
• Port Tobacco Players
• Prince George’s Little Theatre
• Prince William Little Theatre
• Providence Players of Fairfax
• Reston Community Players
• Rockville Little Theatre
• Rockville Musical Theatre
• St. Mark’s Players
• Silver Spring Stage
• Tantallon Community Players
• Vienna Theatre Company

Winners for outstanding technical achievements.

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical (TIE)

• Jared Davis, Avenue Q, Dominion Stage
• Jane B. Wingard, Camelot, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Design in a Play

• John Downing and Bill Glikbarg, Twentieth Century, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical

• Hector Lorenzini, Avenue Q, Dominion Stage

Outstanding Set Construction in a Play

• Richard Gilpin and Zachary Ball, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical

• Jane B. Wingard, Camelot, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Painting in a Play

• Mary Speed and Brian Garrison, Red, Elden Street Players

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical

• Jane B. Wingard and Gail Bagaria, Camelot, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Play

• Paul Hennesy and Mike Mattheisen, Is He Dead?, Providence Players of Fairfax

Outstanding Properties in a Musical

• Joanne D. Wilson, Camelot, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Properties in a Play

• Susan d. Garvey, Red, Elden Street Players

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical

• Tommy Scott, Fiddler on the Roof, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play

• Ken and Patti Crowley, 33 Variations, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical

• Kevin DeMine, Avenue Q, Dominion Stage

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play

• Sean Doyle, Shiloh Rules, Port City Playhouse

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical

• Linda Swann, Camelot, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play

• Mary Wakefield, The Tempest, Rockville Little Theatre

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical

• Shemika Berry, The Wiz, Tantallon Community Players

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play

• Sally Cusenza, The Pillowman, Silver Spring Stage

Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical

• Beverly Hill van Joolen, 1776, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding Hair Design in a Play

• Rachel Royall, Life with Father, Aldersgate Churtch Community Theatre

Outstanding Special Effects

• Joshua McKerrow, Kat McKerrow, Maya Wilcox, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Laurel Mill Playhouse

Winners for outstanding performances by an actor or actress.

Outstanding cameo in a musical

• Lydia Kivrak as ‘Grandma Tzeitel’, Fiddler on the Roof, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding cameo in a play

• Jeffrey Gangwisch as ‘James’, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Laurel Mill Playhouse

Outstanding featured actress in a musical

• Eben K. Logan as ‘Sarah’, Ragtime, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding featured actor in a musical

• Ryan Burke as ‘Dan’, Next to Normal, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding featured actress in a play

• Christina Enoch Kemmerer as ‘Player #1’, Shipwrecked, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding featured actor in a play (TIE)

• Chris Daileader as ‘Michal’, The Pillowman, Silver Spring Stage
• Robert Tucker as ‘Player #2’, Shipwrecked, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding lead actress in a musical

• Emily Zickler as ‘Diana’, Next to Normal, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding lead actor in a musical

• Sayne-Kharyi Lewis as ‘Colehouse Walker’, Ragtime, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding lead actress in a play (TIE)

• Karen Grim as ‘Sarah Schorr’, Trying, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Mary-Anne Sullivan as ‘Dr. Katherine Brandt’, 33 Variations, Reston Community Players

Outstanding lead actor in a play

• Chad W. Fornwalt as ‘Katurian’, The Pillowman, Silver Spring Stage

Winners for outstanding achievement in overall production.

Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography

• William T. Fleming, The Pillowman, Silver Spring Stage

Outstanding Choreography

• Darnell Morris and Eben K. Logan, Ragtime, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction

• Mayumi B. Griffie, Ragtime, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

• Evan Hoffmann, Caroline or Change, Elden Street Players

Outstanding Direction of a Play

• Gloria DuGan, Red, Elden Street Players

Outstanding Musical

• Ragtime, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding Play

• Red, Elden Street Players

Wins sorted by theatre and show.

2nd Star Productions

• Camelot
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Linda Swann
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Joanne D. Wilson
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Jane B. Wingard and Gail Bagaria
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Jane B. Wingard
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Jane B. Wingard

Aldersgate Church Community Theatre

• Life with Father
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Rachel Royall

Colonial Players

• 1776
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Beverly Hill van Joolen
• Shipwrecked
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Robert Tucker as “Player #2”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Christina Enoch Kremmerer as “Player #1”
• Trying
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Karen Grim as “Sarah Schorr”

Dominion Stage

• Avenue Q
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Hector Lorenzini
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Jared Davis
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Kevin DeMine

Elden Street Players

• Caroline or Change
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Evan Hoffmann
• Red
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Gloria DuGan
  • Outstanding Play
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Susan d. Garvey
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Mary Speed

Kensington Arts Theatre

• Next to Normal
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Ryan Burke as “Dan”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Emily Zickler as “Diana”
• Ragtime
  • Outstanding Choreography, Darnell Morris & Eben K. Logan
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Eben K. Logan as “Sarah”
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Sayne-Kharyi Lewis as “Colehouse Walker”
  • Outstanding Music Direction, Mayumi B. Griffie
  • Outstanding Musical

Laurel Mill Playhouse

• The Lieutenant of Inishmore
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Jeffrey Gangwisch as “James”
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Joshua McKerrow et al

Little Theatre Of Alexandria

• 33 Variations
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Ken & Patti Crowley
• Twentieth Century
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, John Downing & Bill Glikbarg

Port City Playhouse

• Shiloh Rules
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Sean Doyle

Port Tobacco Players

• Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Richard Gilpin & Zachary Ball
• Fiddler on the Roof
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Lydia Kivrak as “Grandma Tzeitel”
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Tommy Scott

Providence Players

• Is He Dead?
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Paul Hennesy & Mike Mattheisen

Reston Community Players

• 33 Variations
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Mary-Anne Sullivan as “Dr. Katherine Brandt”

Rockville Little Theatre

• The Tempest
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Mary Wakefield

Silver Spring Stage

• The Pillowman
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Chris Daileader as “Michal”
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Chad W. Fornwalt as “Katurian”
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Sally Cusenza
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, William T. Fleming

Tantallon Community Theatre

• The Wiz
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Shemika Berry

1968 was the most terrible year in my lifetime, a year for the crushing of dreams. January/February: the Tet Offensive, a tactical defeat for North Vietnam that ended the illusion that American victory was imminent or even possible. March: Lyndon Johnson declared he would not run again, putting paid to hopes for the Great Society. April: Martin Luther King was murdered, leading to days of riots across the country and putting deeply in doubt his dream of non-violent, integrated social change. June: Bobby Kennedy was murdered, ending a possible revival of “Camelot” and supporters’ hopes of a Democratic presidential campaign focused on peace in Vietnam and justice at home. August: the Soviet army invaded Czechoslovakia, ending the hopeful Prague Spring. The next week, Mayor Daley’s police rioted against protestors outside the Democratic Convention in Chicago. November: Richard Nixon was elected President.

The hippie phenomenon — colorful and culturally influential beyond its relatively modest numbers — had peaked by the time the Galt McDermott/James Rado/Gerome Ragni musical Hair opened on Broadway that year. To some extent, Hair was a nostalgia piece even when it first opened (a point apparently lost on civic authorities in several cities who tried to ban productions for years afterward). Forty-five years later, its nostalgia for a day when sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll promised community, freedom, and release from stultifying social constraint is palpable. Laurel Mills Playhouse’s exuberant production vividly conveys the passion and confusion of young people trying to cope with the exhilaration and anxiety of an unusually turbulent and difficult time.

Hair is, above all, an ensemble show. Many of the show’s best musical numbers — pieces like “Aquarius,” “Ain’t Got No,” “Hair,” “Be-In (Hare Krishna),” “Initials,” “Walking in Space,” “Three-Five-Zero-Zero,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “Let the Sunshine In” — involve the entire 23-person cast, and the “tribe,” as the show calls it, sings vibrantly, in tune, and with great enthusiasm. The great strength of this production is that throughout the evening — filled with many more musical numbers than the average Broadway show and with several active movement sequences — the group’s energy and commitment to the time and cultural setting never flag.

Among the soloists, the standout is Felicia Akunwafor (Dionne), who sizzles in “White Boys” and has important bits in several other numbers. (“Black Boys/White Boys” is far and away the hottest moment of the show, musically and sexually.) Other notable soloists include the lovely Avia Fields (Ronny), who starts the show in fine style with the lead in “Aquarius” and later adds a nice Shakespearian moment in “What a Piece of Work is Man” (the show is full of references to the Bard, incidentally). Teresa Pipito (Sheila) has fine lyric moments in “Easy to be Hard” and “Good Morning Starshine.” Brook Urquhart (Woof) and Terrence Bennett (Hud) are always arresting on stage, moving well, looking good, and singing convincingly in numbers like “Sodomy” and “Colored Spade,” respectively. David Hale has a very funny drag bit as anthropological tourist Margaret Mead in “My Conviction,” very welcome in a show that, given the earnestness of most of the characters, is not brimming over with humor. The two largest male roles are done somewhat less satisfactorily, with Paul D. Grodt as a lumpish Berger (peering out from behind a dreadful wig) and Charles Freeman who, as Claude, does not range far from a deer-in-the-headlights approach to his character.

Director Michael Hartsfield and Urquhart, who choreographed the show as well as appearing in it, deserve credit for shoehorning the large cast into Laurel Mill’s small space without creating distracting traffic management problems. While the space limits movement options — there is probably one too many instances of the entire cast moving around in a circle in the same direction — there are several sequences involving choreographed movement in place that are very effectively done. In addition, the succession of quick entrances and exits in the second act drug trip scene livens up that pace at that point of the show.

Hartsfield’s set consists a central playing area with two rear corner platforms often used for soloists, enabling them to be seen clearly above the ensemble who are positioned downstage of them in many numbers. An upstage flat, with a large circular entrance surrounded by a yellow sun corona, leads to “The Love Pit,” where music director Alice Laurissa’s band is placed. The band — playing McDermott’s eclectic score, which runs from rock to pop to blues to ballads to semi-talked pieces — plays strongly and accurately throughout; Laurissa maintains a good balance with the singers, who with rare exceptions can be heard clearly. While lighting resources are limited, there are some nice touches, such as a circular psychedelic effect at a few points and an underwater look in part of the drug trip scene. Costumes were period-appropriate and colorful and, fortunately for a show with this title, the hair (leaving aside a few awkward wigs) would pass for 60s.

The first act of Hair has an almost revue-like structure: the ensemble is gathered on stage and, one after another, various soloists or small groups perform their numbers either downstage center or on the upstage corner platforms. There is no semblance of a plot, the act concerning itself mostly with conveying the feelings of tribe members about their lives. The famous nude tableau near the end of the act, deliciously scandalous 45 years ago, is done decorously in low light, perhaps more decorously than would have appealed to 1960s protestors.

In the second act, which focuses more on the war and the antiwar movement, there is a plot thread involving the indecision of Claude concerning how to respond to his draft notice. The latter part of the second act consequently becomes rather dark — not unrealistically for the world of 1968 — needing to be rescued by a reprise of “Let the Sunshine In” to end on a more hopeful note. The real source of hope in the show — especially for those of us who lived through the turmoil of the 1960s — is its reminder that youthful energy and sexuality chronically find a path to renewal, even in worlds turned upside down.

Photo Gallery

Terrence Bennett	Julie Rogers
Julie Rogers

Photos by Larry Simmons

Cast

• Berger: Paul D. Grodt
• Woof: Brook Urquhart
• Hud: Terrence Bennett
• Claude: Charles Freeman
• Jeanie: Kat McKerrow
• Dionne: Felicia Akunwafor
• Crissy: Julie Rogers
• Sheila: Teresa Pipito
• Leaf/Margaret Mead: David Hale
• Walter/Hubert: Jose Pineda
• Ronny: Avia Fields
• Leata: Sara Ritmiller
• Paula: Cheyenne Johnson
• Steve: Marquis Evans
• Hiram: Fatimah Steffanoff
• Suzannah: Joanna Cross
• Mary: Madeleine Jones
• Emmaretta: La’Angel Hall
• Diane: Jill Schneider
• Majorie: Melanie Pino-Elliott
• Linda: Andrea Tanner
• Natalie: Kristin Hessenauer
• Alice: Jenifer Hollett

Pit Band

• Director/Keyboards: Alice Laurissa
• Pianist: Elaine Beckman
• Drums: Will Poxon
• Guitar: Chris Mercado
• Bass: Tom Tomlinson
• Trombone: Megan Zontek
• Clarinet: Kiarra Johnson

Production Staff

• Producer: Maureen Rogers
• Director: Michael Hartsfield
• Musical Director: Alice Laurissa
• Choreographer: Brook Urquhart
• Stage Manager: Janet Olsen
• Light/Sound Operators: Michael Hartsfield, Rob Allen, Lori Bruun
• Set Design/Set Construction: Michael Hartsfield
• Set Painting: Michael Hartsfield, Julie Rogers
• Lighting Design: Michael Hartsfield, Marvin Rogers
• Sound Design: Alice Laurissa, Michael Hartsfield
• Costumes/Hair/Make-Up: Kat Mckerrow & Cast
• Properties: Janet Olsen, Michael Hartsfield, Kat McKerrow
• Set Dressing: Michael Hartsfield
• Head Shots/Photos: John Cholod, Larry Simmons, Marvin Rogers
• Program/Publicity/Box Office: Maureen Rogers
• Concessions: Diana Simmons, Larry Simmons
• Website: John Cholod

Disclaimer: Laurel Mill Playhouse provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

Fifteen companies received awards this year. The Arlington Players‘ production of A Little Night Music received the most awards of the musicals, with five, including Outstanding Musical. Fauquier Community Theatre received four awards for Into the Woods, as did Kensington Arts Theatre for Sunday in the Park with George. Providence Players received the most awards, with two plays (Side Man and You Can’t Take it With You) each receiving four awards. The Colonial Players production Going to St. Ives received three awards, including Outstanding Play. Fifteen companies received awards this year.

ShowBizRadio followed the ceremony live, the archive is available.

Winners for outstanding technical achievement

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Eleanor Dicks, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Robbie Snow, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Bette Williams, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Beth Harrison, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical: Kevin Boyce, Night of the Living Dead, The Musical, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play: Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: Tim Kirk, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Beth Harrison, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Richard Perryman & Peter Fakoury, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Susan Kaplan, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Ryan Mudd, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: John Downing, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical: Tim Kirk, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Play: Lisa Church & Chip Gertzog, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: John Merritt, Ryan Mudd, Ben Simpson, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: Raedun Knutsen & Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Nancy Daugherty, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: Jane B. Wingard, Bloody Murder, 2nd Star Productions
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Kevin Garrett, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Jimmy Gertzog & Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Outstanding Special Effects: Jordan Rose & Doe B. Kim, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre

Winners for outstanding performance by an actor or actress

• Outstanding cameo in a musical (TIE): Chrissy Barnett Miller as “Jolene Oakes”, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Damascus Theatre Company AND Brenda Parker as “Church Soloist”, The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• Outstanding cameo in a play: Mark Yeager as “Beverly Weston”, August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Outstanding featured actress in a musical: Annie Coffman as “Anne Egerman”, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Outstanding featured actor in a musical: Stephen Deininger as “Tateh”, Ragtime, Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Outstanding featured actress in a play: Gayle Nichols-Grimes as “Vernadette Simms”, The Dixie Swim Club, Port City Playhouse
• Outstanding featured actor in a play: John Shackelford as “Max Levene”, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding lead actress in a musical: Jennifer Lyons Pagnard as “Mrs. Lovett”, Sweeney Todd, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding lead actor in a musical: Fred Nelson as “Tevye”, Fiddler on the Roof, 2nd Star Productions
• Outstanding lead actress in a play: Lolita-Marie as “May N’Kame”, Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Outstanding lead actor in a play: Matt Baughman as “Charlie Gordon”, Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players

Winners for outstanding achievement in overall production

• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Carl Brandt Long, Deathtrap, McLean Community Players
• Outstanding Choreography: Taurean Maray Barber, The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• Outstanding Music Direction: John-Michael d’Haviland, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical (TIE): Christopher Dykton, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players AND Craig Petinatti, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Edd Miller, Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Outstanding Musical: A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Outstanding Play: Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Winners sorted by theatre and show

2nd Star Productions

• Bloody Murder
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Jane B. Wingard
• Fiddler on the Roof
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Fred Nelson as “Tevye”

Arlington Players

• A Little Night Music
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Christopher Dykton
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Annie Coffman as “Anne Egerman”
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Bette Williams
  • Outstanding Music Direction, John-Michael d’Haviland
  • Outstanding Musical

Colonial Players

• Going to St. Ives
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Edd Miller
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Lolita-Marie as “May N’Kame”
  • Outstanding Play

Damascus Theatre Company

• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Chrissy Barnett Miller as “Jolene Oakes”

Elden Street Players

• Flowers for Algernon
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Matt Baughman as “Charlie Gordon”

Fauquier Community Theatre

• Into the Woods
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Tim Kirk
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Richard Perryman & Peter Fakoury
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Tim Kirk
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Nancy Daugherty

Kensington Arts Theatre

• Night of the Living Dead, The Musical
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Kevin Boyce
• Sunday in the Park with George
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Eleanor Dicks
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Craig Pettinati
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Kevin Garrett
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Jordan Rose & Doe B. Kim

Laurel Mill Playhouse

• Ragtime
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Stephen Deininger as “Tateh”

Little Theatre Of Alexandria

• Heaven Can Wait
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, John Shackelford as “Max Levene”
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, John Downing
• Sweeney Todd
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Jennifer Lyons Pagnard as “Mrs. Lovett”

McLean Community Players

• Deathtrap
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Carl Brandt Long

Port City Playhouse

• The Dixie Swim Club
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Gayle Nichols-Grimes as “Vernadette Simms”

Port Tobacco Players

• The Sound of Music
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Ryan Mudd
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, John Merritt, Ryan Mudd, Ben Simpson

Providence Players

• Side Man
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Chip Gertzog
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Susan Kaplan
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Raedun Knutsen & Chip Gertzog
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Jimmy Gertzog & Chip Gertzog
• You Can’t Take it With You
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Robbie Snow
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Beth Harrison
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Beth Harrison
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Lisa Church & Chip Gertzog

Reston Community Players

• August Osage County
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Mark Yeager as “Beverly Weston”

Tantallon Community Theatre

• The Color Purple
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Brenda Parker as “Church Soloist”
  • Outstanding Choreography, Taurean Maray Barber

• 2nd Star Productions
• Aldersgate Church Community Theatre
• The Alliance Theatre
• The Arlington Players
• Capital City Players of DC
• Bowie Community Theatre
• Castaways Repertory Theatre
• Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Chevy Chase Players
• Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Damascus Theatre Company
• Dominion Stage
• Elden Street Players
• Fauquier Community Theatre
• Greenbelt Arts Center
• Hard Bargain Players
• Kensington Arts Theatre
• Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Little Theatre of Alexandria
• McLean Community Players
• Montgomery Playhouse
• Port City Playhouse
• Port Tobacco Players
• Prince George’s Little Theatre
• Prince William Little Theatre
• Providence Players of Fairfax
• Reston Community Players
• Rockville Little Theatre
• Rockville Musical Theatre
• St. Mark’s Players
• Silver Spring Stage
• Tantallon Community Players
• Vienna Theatre Company

The nominations are provided by category and then by theater.

The Award Presentation will be held on March 17th at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. Tickets can be purchased for $15.50 at the Birchmere Box Office or through Ticketmaster (additional fees will apply). Last year the ceremony sold out, so order your tickets early!

In each of the thirty-eight categories, five nominees were selected based on the average scores of eight judges. In some categories, due to score ties, more than five nominees are announced. Nominations are provided in alphabetical order by nominee.

Nominations for outstanding technical achievements

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical

• Bill Brown & Chad Wheeler, Meet Me in St. Louis, Damascus Theatre Company
• Matt Karner, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Tim Kirk & Martha Lynch, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Russell Kopp, A Little Night Music, Arlington Players
• John Merritt, Ryan Mudd, Ben Simpson, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Design in a Play

• John Coscia, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• John Downing, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• John Downing, Witness for the Prosecution, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Raedun Knutsen & Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Jane B. Wingard, The Lion in Winter, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical

• Matt Karner & Joel Richon, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Tim Kirk & Kirk Noé, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Jim Korte & Bill Rippey, Meet Me in St. Louis, Damascus Theatre Company
• Ryan Mudd, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Joe Stine & John Merritt, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Construction in a Play

• John Coscia, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• John Downing, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• John Downing, Witness for the Prosecution, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Chip Gertzog et al, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Bernie Gmiter, Bob Schroth, Bill Glikbarg, Deathtrap, McLean Community Players
• Timothy Hinton & David Johnson, August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• John Merritt, To Kill A Mockingbird, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical

• Nancy Daugherty et al, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Jill Hanger, Rhonna Johnson, Betsy Stevens, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Ronna Johnson, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players
• Jane B. Wingard, Fiddler on the Roof, 2nd Star Productions
• Jane B. Wingard, Oklahoma, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Painting in a Play

• Erin Cumbo et al, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Port City Playhouse
• Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Mary Hutzler, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Jane B. Wingard, Bloody Murder, 2nd Star Productions
• Jane B. Wingard et al, The Lion in Winter, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical

• Sheila Draper, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Lindsey Hays, A Little Night Music, Arlington Players
• Ronna Johnson, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players
• Tim Kirk, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Maria Littlefield, Meet Me in St. Louis, Damascus Theatre Company

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Play

• Lisa Church & Chip Gertzog, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Edd Miller, Chapter Two, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Kathy White, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Dinnie Whitson, Cathy Farnsworth, Christine Whitson, Deathtrap, McLean Community Players
• Jane B. Wingard et al, The Lion in Winter, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Properties in a Musical

• Avery Burns, A Little Night Music, Arlington Players
• Terri Fortney-Beinert, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Maria Littlefield, Meet Me in St. Louis, Damascus Theatre Company
• Richard Perryman et al, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Joanne D. Wilson, Fiddler on the Roof, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Properties in a Play

• Emily Besuden, Jerry Gideon, Dick La Porte, Deathtrap, McLean Community Players
• Mary Jo Ford & Alexandra Lee, August Osage County, Reston Community Theatre
• Chip Gertzog, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Susan Kaplan, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Robbie Snow et al, Sleuth, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Joanne D. Wilson, The Lion in Winter, 2nd Star Productions

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical

• Kevin Boyce, Night of the Living Dead, The Musical, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Garret R. Hyde, Fiddler on the Roof, 2nd Star Productions
• Tim Kirk, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Ben Levine, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• B. Keith Ryder, A Little Night Music, Arlington Players
• Tommy Scott, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play

• Ken & Patti Crowley, August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Ken & Patti Crowley, Cantorial, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Frank Florentine & Shirley Panek, Chapter Two, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Bob Zeigler, Deathtrap, McLean Community Players

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical

• Keith Bell, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Kevin Garrett, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Tim Kirk, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Matt Rowe, Night of the Living Dead, The Musical, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Gerhard Straub, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play

• Chris Alpiar, Equus, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Jamie Coupar, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Silver Spring Stage
• Jimmy Gertzog & Chip Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Stan Harris, Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players
• Janice Rivera, Cantorial, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical

• Pat Brennan, The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Pat Brennan, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players
• Eleanor Dicks, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Grant Kevin Lane, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Susan Noé & Martha Lynch, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play

• Patricia Kratzer et al, Enchanted April, Silver Spring Stage
• Jean Schlichting & Kit Sibley, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Robbie Snow, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Linda Swann, The Lion in Winter, 2nd Star Productions
• Beth Terranova, Cinderella Waltz, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Beth Terranova, Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical

• Heather Bauer & Kaitelyn Bauer, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players
• Kristina Friedgen, Sweeney Todd, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Eric Jones, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Tim Kirk & Rebecca Carver, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Larissa Norris, Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play

• Laurie T. Freed & Cast, Enchanted April, Silver Spring Stage
• Beth Harrison, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Beth Harrison, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Sheila Hyman & Shemika Berry, The Taming of the Shrew, Castaways Repertory Theatre
• Sue Pinkman, Lend Me A Tenor, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical

• Shemika Berry, The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• Kristina Friedgen, Sweeney Todd, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Malca Giblin, Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage
• Malca Giblin, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Bette Williams, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players

Outstanding Hair Design in a Play

• Beth Harrison, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Chanukan Jane Lilburne, Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Robin Parker & Hannah Wolf, All the King’s Women, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Gina Quaye, Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Arthur Rodger, Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players
• Bette Williams, Witness for the Prosecution, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Special Effects

• John Decker & Kevin Boyce, Night of the Living Dead, The Musical, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Chip Gertzog, You Can’t Take It With You, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Tim Kirk, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Keith Linville, Joe Stine, John Merritt, The Wizard of Oz, Port Tobacco Players
• Jordan Rose & Doe B. Kim, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre

Nominations for outstanding performances by an actor or actress

Outstanding cameo in a musical

• Joseph Aquilina as “Kyle,” Legally Blonde, Reston Community Players
• Chrissy Barnett Miller as “Jolene Oakes,” Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Damascus Theatre Company
• Karen Batra as “Marge MacDougall,” Promises, Promises, The Arlington Players
• Erica Drezek as “Berthe,” Pippin, Greenbelt Arts Center
• Brenda Parker as “Church Soloist,” The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players

Outstanding cameo in a play

• Katherine Bisulca as “Sales Girl,” Red Scare on Sunset, Prince William Little Theatre
• Bob Burnett as “Beverly Carlton,” The Man Who Came to Dinner, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Carleigh Jones as “Doris,” The Hollow, Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Stuart Orloff as “Teen Charlie,” Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players
• Yvonne Paretzky as “Addie,” The Little Foxes, Rockville Little Theatre
• Shelley Rochester as “Mrs. Winsley,” Stop Kiss, Silver Spring Stage
• Mark Yeager as “Beverly Weston,” August Osage County, Reston Community Players

Outstanding featured actress in a musical

• Annie Coffman as “Anne Egerman,” A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Amy Dolan as “The Mother Abbess,” The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players
• Annie Ermlick as “Sister Mary Amnesia,” Nunsense, The Alliance Theatre
• Shanice Jones as “Sofia,” The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• Molly Hicks Larson as “Paulette Buonofuonte,” Legally Blonde, Reston Community Players
• Anne Marie Pinto as “Petra,” A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players

Outstanding featured actor in a musical

• Stephen Deininger as “Tateh,” Ragtime, Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Michael J. Galizia as “Jud Fry,” Oklahoma, 2nd Star Productions
• Malcolm Lee as “Jimmy Early,” Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage
• Gary Saddon as “Ali Hakim,” Oklahoma, 2nd Star Productions
• Stephen Yednock as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson,” Guys and Dolls, Tantallon Community Players

Outstanding featured actress in a play

• Monica Garcia as “Mother McGee,” Cinderella Waltz, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Lorraine Magee as “Virginia,” Clean House, Elden Street Players
• Gayle Nichols-Grimes as “Mattie Fae Aiken,” August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Gayle Nichols-Grimes as “Vernadette Simms,” The Dixie Swim Club, Port City Playhouse
• Shelley Rochester as “Costanza,” Enchanted April, Silver Spring Stage
• Lois A. Stanziani as “Helga ten Dorp,” Deathtrap, McLean Community Players

Outstanding featured actor in a play

• Chuck Dluhy as “Roma,” Glengary Glen Ross, Elden Street Players
• Michael Kharfen as “Levene,” Glengary Glen Ross, Elden Street Players
• Stuart Rick as “Benjamin Hubbard,” The Little Foxes, Rockville Little Theatre
• John Shackelford as “Max Levene,” Heaven Can Wait, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Kevin Wallace as “Victor Fleming,” Moonlight and Magnolias, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding lead actress in a musical

• Madeline Botteri as “Monica,” Rooms, A Rock Romance, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Shawnee Louise Coleman-Lining as “Effie Melody White,” Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage
• Andrea Gerald as “Cellie,” The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• Jennifer Lyons Pagnard as “Mrs. Lovett,” Sweeney Todd, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Farrell Parker as “Dot/Marie,” Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding lead actor in a musical

• Ryan Burke as “Georges/George,” Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Eric Jones as “Ian,” Rooms, A Rock Romance, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Fred Nelson as “Tevye,” Fiddler on the Roof, 2nd Star Productions
• Gabriel T. Potter as “Freddy Benson,” Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Damascus Theatre Company
• Brent Stone as “Fredrik Egerman,” A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players

Outstanding lead actress in a play

• Lolita-Marie as “May N’Kame,” Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Heather Quinn as “Dr. Cora Gage,” Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Lee Slivka as “Barbara Fordham,” August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Mary Suib as “Violet Weston,” August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Jo Sullivan as “Jennie Malone,” Chapter Two, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding lead actor in a play

• Dann Alagna as “Zed,” Cinderella Waltz, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Matt Baughman as “Charlie Gordon,” Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players
• Phil Hosford as “Ralph Wantage,” Frozen, Rockville Little Theatre
• Sandy Irving as “Richard Nixon,” Frost/Nixon, Greenbelt Arts Center
• Ryan Manning as “Max Levene,” Lend Me A Tenor, Reston Community Players

Nominations for outstanding achievement in overall production

Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography

• Steve Lada, August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Steve Lada, Equus, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Carl Brandt Long, Deathtrap, McLean Community Players
• Carl Brandt Long, Man of La Mancha, McLean Community Players
• Kevin Robertson, The Taming of the Shrew, Castaways Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Choreography

• Richelle “Rikki” Howie, Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage
• Martha Lynch, Into the Woods, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Taurean Maray Barber, The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• Vincent Musgrave, A Chorus Line, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Corinne Shumaker, The Music Man, Fauquier Community Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction

• LaVar Betts, The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• John-Michael d’Haviland, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• John-Michael d’Haviland, Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage
• John-Michael d’Haviland, Spring Awakening, Dominion Stage
• David Rohde, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

• Brian Douglas, Fiddler on the Roof, 2nd Star Productions
• Christopher Dykton, A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Craig Petinatti, Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Joshua Redford, Legally Blonde, Reston Community Players
• Charla Rowe, The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players

Outstanding Direction of a Play

• Gloria DuGan, Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players
• Jimmy Gertzog, Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Ron Giddings, Moonlight and Magnolias, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Edd Miller, Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Andrew JM Regiec, August Osage County, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Musical

• A Little Night Music, The Arlington Players
• Dreamgirls, Dominion Stage
• Sunday in the Park with George, Kensington Arts Theatre
• The Color Purple, Tantallon Community Players
• The Sound of Music, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Play

• August Osage County, Reston Community Players
• Flowers for Algernon, Elden Street Players
• Going to St. Ives, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Moonlight and Magnolias, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Side Man, Providence Players of Fairfax

Nominations sorted by theatre and show

2nd Star Productions

4 productions received 14 nominations total

Bloody Murder

• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: Jane B. Wingard

Fiddler on the Roof

• Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Brian Douglas
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Fred Nelson as “Tevye”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Musical: Garret R. Hyde
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Joanne D. Wilson
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Jane B. Wingard

Oklahoma

• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Michael J. Galizia as “Jud Fry”
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Gary Saddon as “Ali Hakim”
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Jane B. Wingard

The Lion in Winter

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Linda Swann
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Joanne D. Wilson
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play: Jane B. Wingard et al
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: Jane B. Wingard
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: Jane B. Wingard et al

Alliance Theatre

1 production received 1 nomination

Nunsense

• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Annie Ermlick as “Sister Mary Amnesia”

Arlington Players

2 productions received 14 nominations total

A Little Night Music

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Grant Kevin Lane
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Christopher Dykton
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Annie Coffman as “Anne Egerman”
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Anne Marie Pinto as “Petra”
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Bette Williams
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Brent Stone as “Fredrik Egerman”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Musical: B. Keith Ryder
• Outstanding Music Direction: John-Michael d’Haviland
• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Avery Burns
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical: Lindsey Hays
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Russell Kopp
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Keith Bell

Promises, Promises

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical: Karen Batra as “Marge MacDougall”

Castaways Repertory Theatre

1 production received 2 nominations

The Taming of the Shrew

• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Sheila Hyman & Shemika Berry
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Kevin Robertson

Colonial Players

4 productions received 15 nominations total

Chapter Two

• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Jo Sullivan as “Jennie Malone”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Play: Frank Florentine & Shirley Panek
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play: Edd Miller

Cinderella Waltz

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Beth Terranova
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Monica Garcia as “Mother McGee”
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Dann Alagna as “Zed”

Going to St. Ives

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Beth Terranova
• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Edd Miller
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Gina Quaye
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Lolita-Marie as “May N’Kame”
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Heather Quinn as “Dr. Cora Gage”
• Outstanding Play

Moonlight and Magnolias

• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Ron Giddings
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Kevin Wallace as “Victor Fleming”
• Outstanding Play

Damascus Theatre Company

2 productions received 6 nominations total

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical: Chrissy Barnett Miller as “Jolene Oakes”
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Gabriel T. Potter as “Freddy Benson”

Meet Me in St. Louis

• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Maria Littlefield
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Jim Korte & Bill Rippey
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical: Maria Littlefield
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Bill Brown & Chad Wheeler

Dominion Stage

2 productions received 8 nominations total

Dreamgirls

• Outstanding Choreography: Richelle “Rikki” Howie
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Malcolm Lee as “Jimmy Early”
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Malca Giblin
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Shawnee Louise Coleman-Lining as “Effie Melody White”
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: Larissa Norris
• Outstanding Music Direction: John-Michael d’Haviland
• Outstanding Musical

Spring Awakening

• Outstanding Music Direction: John-Michael d’Haviland

Elden Street Players

4 productions received 10 nominations total

Clean House

• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Lorraine Magee as “Virginia”

Flowers for Algernon

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Stuart Orloff as “Teen Charlie”
• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Gloria DuGan
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Arthur Rodger
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Matt Baughman as “Charlie Gordon”
• Outstanding Play
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Stan Harris

Glengary Glen Ross

• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Chuck Dluhy as “Roma”
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Michael Kharfen as “Levene”

Rooms, A Rock Romance

• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: James Villarubia

Fauquier Community Theatre

3 productions received 13 nominations total

Into the Woods

• Outstanding Choreography: Martha Lynch
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Susan Noe & Martha Lynch
• Outstanding Light Design in a Musical: Tim Kirk
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: Tim Kirk & Rebecca Carver
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Richard Perryman et al
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Tim Kirk & Kirk Noe
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical: Tim Kirk
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Tim Kirk & Martha Lynch
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Nancy Daugherty et al
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Tim Kirk
• Outstanding Special Effects: Tim Kirk

The Man Who Came to Dinner

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Bob Burnett as “Beverly Carlton”

The Music Man

• Outstanding Choreography: Corinne Shumaker

Greenbelt Arts Center

2 productions received 2 nominations total

Frost/Nixon

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Sandy Irving as “Richard Nixon”

Pippin

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical: Erica Drezek as “Berthe”

Kensington Arts Theatre

3 productions received 18 nominations total

Night of the Living Dead, The Musical

• Outstanding Light Design in a Musical: Kevin Boyce
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Matt Rowe
• Outstanding Special Effects: John Decker & Kevin Boyce

Rooms, A Rock Romance

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Eric Jones as “Ian”
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Madeline Botteri as “Monica”

Sunday in the Park with George

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Eleanor Dicks
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Craig Pettinati
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Malca Giblin
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Ryan Burke as “Georges/George”
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Farrell Parker as “Dot/Marie”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Musical: Ben Levine
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: Eric Jones
• Outstanding Music Direction: David Rohde
• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Matt Karner & Joel Richon
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Matt Karner
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Kevin Garrett
• Outstanding Special Effects: Jordan Rose & Doe B. Kim

Laurel Mill Playhouse

2 productions received 2 nominations total

Ragtime

• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Stephen Deininger as “Tateh”

The Hollow

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Carleigh Jones as “Doris”

Little Theatre Of Alexandria

5 productions received 15 nominations total

All the King’s Women

• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Robin Parker & Hannah Wolf

Cantorial

• Outstanding Light Design in a Play: Ken & Patti Crowley
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Janice Rivera

Heaven Can Wait

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Jean Schlichting & Kit Sibley
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: John Shackelford as “Max Levene”
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Chanukan Jane Lilburne
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: John Downing
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: John Downing
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: Mary Hutzler

Sweeney Todd

• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Kristina Friedgen
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Jennifer Lyons Pagnard as “Mrs. Lovett”
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: Kristina Friedgen

Witness for the Prosecution

• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Bette Williams
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: John Downing
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: John Downing

Mclean Community Players

2 productions received 7 nominations total

Deathtrap

• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Lois A. Stanziani as “Helga ten Dorp”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Play: Bob Zeigler
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Emily Besuden, Jerry Gideon, Dick La Porte
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: Bernie Gmiter, Bob Schroth, Bill Glikbarg
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play: Dinnie Whitson, Cathy Farnsworth, Christine Whitson
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Carl Brandt Long

Man of La Mancha

• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Carl Brandt Long

Port City Playhouse

2 productions received 2 nominations total

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me

• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: Erin Cumbo, et al

The Dixie Swim Club

• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Gayle Nichols-Grimes as “Vernadette Simms”

Port Tobacco Players

3 productions received 17 nominations total

The Sound of Music

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Pat Brennan
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Amy Dolan as “The Mother Abbess”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Musical: Tommy Scott
• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Terri Fortney-Beinert
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Ryan Mudd
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical: Sheila Draper
• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: John Merritt, Ryan Mudd, Ben Simpson
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Jill Hanger, Rhonna Johnson, Betsy Stevens

The Wizard of Oz

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Pat Brennan
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: Heather Bauer & Kaitelyn Bauer
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Joe Stine & John Merritt
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical: Ronna Johnson
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Ronna Johnson
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Gerhard Straub
• Outstanding Special Effects: Keith Linville, Joe Stine, John Merritt

To Kill A Mockingbird

• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: John Merritt

Prince William Little Theatre

1 production received 1 nomination

Red Scare on Sunset

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Katherine Bisulca as “Sales Girl”

Providence Players

3 productions received 19 nominations total

Side Man

• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Jimmy Gertzog
• Outstanding Light Design in a Play: Chip Gertzog
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Beth Harrison
• Outstanding Play
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Susan Kaplan
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: Chip Gertzog et al
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play: Kathy White
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: Raedun Knutsen & Chip Gertzog
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: Chip Gertzog
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Jimmy Gertzog & Chip Gertzog

Sleuth

• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Robbie Snow et al

You Can’t Take it With You

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Robbie Snow
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Beth Harrison
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Beth Harrison
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Chip Gertzog
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: John Coscia
• Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play: Lisa Church & Chip Gertzog
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: John Coscia
• Outstanding Special Effects: Chip Gertzog

Reston Community Players

3 productions received 15 nominations total

August Osage County

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Mark Yeager as “Beverly Weston”
• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Andrew JM Regiec
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Gayle Nichols-Grimes as “Mattie Fae Aiken”
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Lee Slivka as “Barbara Fordham”
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Mary Suib as “Violet Weston”
• Outstanding Light Design in a Play: Ken & Patti Crowley
• Outstanding Play
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Mary Jo Ford & Alexandra lee
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: Timothy Hinton & David Johnson
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Steve Lada

Legally Blonde

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical: Joseph Aquilina as “Kyle”
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Joshua Redford
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Molly Hicks Larson as “Paulette Buonofuonte”

Lend Me A Tenor

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Ryan Manning as “Max Levene”
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Sue Pinkman

Rockville Little Theatre

2 productions received 3 nominations total

Frozen

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Phil Hosford as “Ralph Wantage”

The Little Foxes

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Yvonne Paretzky as “Addie”
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Stuart Rick as “Benjamin Hubbard”

Rockville Musical Theatre

1 production received 1 nomination

A Chorus Line

• Outstanding Choreography: Vincent Musgrave

Silver Spring Stage

3 productions received 5 nominations total

Beauty Queen of Leenane

• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Jamie Coupar

Enchanted April

• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Patricia Kratzer et al
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Shelley Rochester as “Costanza”
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Laurie T. Freed & Cast

Stop Kiss

• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Shelley Rochester as “Mrs. Winsley”

Taking Flight Theatre Company

1 production received 2 nominations

Equus

• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Chris Alpiar
• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Steve Lada

Tantallon Community Theatre

2 productions received 9 nominations total

Guys and Dolls

• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Stephen Yednock as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”

The Color Purple

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical: Brenda Parker as “Church Soloist”
• Outstanding Choreography: Taurean Maray Barber
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Charla Rowe
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Shanice Jones as “Sofia”
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: Shemika Berry
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Andrea Gerald as “Cellie”
• Outstanding Music Direction: LaVar Betts
• Outstanding Musical

The Hollow is a murder mystery in three acts by Agatha Christie. The setting is the Angkatell Estate where a group of friends meet for a “get-a-way weekend” of relaxation, shooting practice, and as it turns out murder. When the police arrive, the layers are pulled back to reveal affairs, jealousy, pain, and confusion.

Unfortunately this production had some pacing issues that made it drag. That and the theater’s variable temperature (at times too warm, other times cool) made for a long evening. Most of the actors never really got into their characters enough to provide for empathy by the audience. The staging was also a bit stiff and there seemed to be a lot of standing in one place while delivering lines. The stage at Laurel Mill is somewhat compact, but adding a bit of movement would help make the action more interesting. The English accents ranged from believable to non-existent.

There were a few actors who did manage to bring their character to life. Maureen Rogers as the flighty and confused Lady Angkatell made her character fun and received the most laughs. Mainly because you were never sure what was going to come out of her mouth or where she was going to go next. Henrietta Angkatell, the sculptress, was played by Dana Medford. She showed realism in her character, although she never seemed quite at ease towards her secret lover, Dr. John Cristow played by Ed Higgins. Cristo also juggled his relationship with his wife Gerda, played as a pushover by Stephanie Shade. And Cristow’s former fiancee makes an appearance as a Holllywood starlet, Veronica Craye, played as a vamp by Sabrina Shahmir. Eric Henry was excellent as intrepid Inspector Colquhoun, offering a nice contrast to Gregory M. Mangiapane’s womanizing Detective Sergeant Penny.

As small as the space was, set designer Allen Trigg made good use of entrances and exits when designing a comfortable living room, although the doorway to Henrietta’s workroom was a bit unpolished. The costumes by Kim Delk were also very appropriate.

Regarding the murder itself, while there were quite a few tips and hints scattered throughout the play, don’t put yourself out trying to deduce who pulled the trigger. Laurel Mill Playhouse’s The Hollow is an Agatha Christie mystery to delight fans, but had some pacing problems that made it a long evening.

Director’s Notes

Do you trust me? That’s the question director Richard Atha-Nichols recently asked his cast for Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest. He had chosen to keep the end of the play a secret even from them until just a month before the show opened. As a member of that cast. I found it a fascinating approach, adding all sorts of layers to everyone’s initial approach to their characters. So I shamelessly borrowed his idea for this show, and only let this cast know the ending of The Hollow on January 7th.

Directing an Agatha Christie mystery is always a challenge. It takes a true team effort to properly present all the red herrings she plants through-out the story, as well as the true clues to the mystery, without telegraphing anything. At the same time, keeping in mind that a not insignificant portion of the audience is familiar with the story and is watching to see how well we present Dame Agatha’s misdirection, and finding ways to bring out all the humorous touches she sprinkles throughout her tales.

In 1950, Dame Agatha chose to freely adapt The Hollow from her 1946 novel of the same title. However, she deliberately chose to write out of the story the character of Hercule Poirot, as she felt that his appearance in the novel “ruined it.” After an eight week tryout tour, it opened in London on June 7, 1951 and had an initial professional run of 367 performances over the next eleven months. Hope you enjoy our production.

Cast

• Henrietta Angkatell: Dana Medford
• Sir Henry Angkatell: Tom Schneider
• Lady Angkatell: Maureen Rogers
• Midge Harvey: Jen Lechuga
• Gudgeon: Bernie Noeller
• Edward Angkatell: Grant Myers
• Doris: Carleigh Jones
• Gerda Cristow
• Dr. John Cristow: Ed Higgins
• Veronica Craye: Sabrina Shahmir
• Inspector Colquhoun: Eric Henry
• Detective Sergeant Penny: Gregory M. Mangiapane

Production Crew

• Director: Mark T. Allen
• Producer: Maureen Rogers
• Stage Manager: Lori Bruun
• Assistant to Stage Manager: Emily Bruun
• Lighting Design: Allen Trigg
• Sound Design: Richard Atha-Nichols
• Light/Sound Operators: Emily Bruun, Lori Bruun
• Set Design: Allen Trigg
• Set Construction: Mark Allen and Eric Henry
• Set Painting: Mark Allen, Ed Higgins, Jen Lechuga, Grant Myers, Tom Schneider, Stephanie Shade
• Set Dressing: Diana Simmons, Allen Trigg
• Properties: Lori Bruun, Diana Simmons & Cast
• Costumer: Kim Delk
• Hair and Make-Up: Cast
• Head Shots: Brian Binney
• Program: Stephanie Shade
• Posters: Maureen Rogers
• Website: John Cholod
• Box Office & Reservations: Maureen Rogers and Volunteers
• Concessions: Larry Simmons & Volunteers

Disclaimer: Laurel Mill Playhouse provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

• Aldersgate Church Community Theatre
• The Alliance Theatre
• The Arlington Players
• Capital City Players of DC
• Bowie Community Theatre
• Castaways Repertory Theatre
• Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Chevy Chase Players
• Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Damascus Theatre Company
• Dominion Stage
• Elden Street Players
• Fauquier Community Theatre
• Greenbelt Arts Center
• Hard Bargain Players
• Kensington Arts Theatre
• Laurel Mill Playhouse
• Little Theatre of Alexandria
• McLean Community Players
• Montgomery Playhouse
• Port City Playhouse
• Port Tobacco Players
• Prince George’s Little Theatre
• Prince William Little Theatre
• Providence Players of Fairfax
• Reston Community Players
• Rockville Little Theatre
• Rockville Musical Theatre
• St. Mark’s Players
• Silver Spring Stage
• Tantallon Community Players
• Vienna Theatre Company

In each of the thirty-eight categories, five nominees were selected based on the average scores of eight judges. In some categories, due to score ties, more than five nominees are announced. Nominations are provided in alphabetical order by nominee. The nominations are provided by category and then by theater.

The Award Presentation willbe held on March 11th at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. Tickets can be purchased for $15.50 at the Birchmere Box Office or through Ticketmaster (additional fees will apply).

In 2012, 132 shows are scheduled for adjudication across the thirty-three participating WATCH member companies.

Nominations for outstanding technical achievements

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical

• Melissa Gilpin & John Merritt, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Port Tobacco Players
• Mark Hamberger, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Grant Kevin Lane, Thrill Me, Elden Street Players
• Myke Taister, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• James Villarrubia, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players

Outstanding Set Design in a Play

• Amanda Acker, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• John Coscia et al, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Chip Gertzog & John Coscia, Shadow Box, Providence Players of Fairfax
• C. Evans Kirk & Dan Remmers, Noises Off, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Andrew JM Regiec, The Twilight of the Golds, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical

• Sara Birkhead, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• Chris Feldmann, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Jim Korte et al, Little Shop of Horrors, Damascus Theatre Company
• John Merritt, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Port Tobacco Players
• James Villarrubia et al, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players

Outstanding Set Construction in a Play

• John Coscia & Chip Gertzog, Shadow Box, Providence Players of Fairfax
• John Coscia et al, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Chris Feldmann, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• John Merritt, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, Port Tobacco Players
• Arthur Pleasants et al, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Dan Remmers, Noises Off, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical

• Erin Cumbo, Oliver, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Malca Giblin et al, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Kevin O’Dowd, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Cathy Rieder & James Villarrubia, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Cathy Rieder, Sabrina Begley, Maggie Cotter, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• April Dawn Weimer et al, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Painting in a Play

• Mary Hutzler, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Ronna Johnson, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, Port Tobacco Players
• Karl Meier & Kate Meier, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players
• Kevin O’Dowd, Noises Off, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Melanie Papasian, Translations, Rockville Little Theatre
• Kate Roehr, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Christa Westall, The Twilight of the Golds, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical

• Nancyanne Burton, Oliver, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Marian Holmes & Russell Wyland, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Dawne LeKang, Little Shop of Horrors, The Alliance Theatre
• Maria Littlefield, Little Shop of Horrors, Damascus Theatre Company
• Nancy McLaughlin et al, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Bea and Jerry Morse & Barbara Wilson, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• Joe Stine & John Merritt, Willy Wonka, Port Tobacco Players
• April Dawn Weimer & John Merritt, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Play

• Mary Dalto & Nancy Eynon Lark, Translations, Rockville Little Theatre
• Ingrid Helvig David, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Lindsey Hays, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Evan Hoffmann, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players
• Bea and Jerry Morse, Moonlight and Magnolias, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Properties in a Musical

• Derek Critzer & Dawne LeKang, Little Shop of Horrors, The Alliance Theatre
• Mary Jo Ford, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• Judy Kee & Margaret Snow, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Maria Littlefield, Little Shop of Horrors, Damascus Theatre Company
• Elli Swink, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Damascus Theatre Company

Outstanding Properties in a Play

• Avery Burns, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Mary Dalto & Nancy Eynon Lark, Translations, Rockville Little Theatre
• Rebecca & John Johnson, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Jessie Roberts, Loose Knit, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Nicole Zuchetto, Rabbit Hole, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical

• Franklin C. Coleman, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Ryan Desmond, 42nd Street, The Arlington Players
• Tom Epps, Thrill Me, Elden Street Players
• Noam Lautman, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Rick Swink, Little Shop of Horrors, Damascus Theatre Company

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play

• AnnMarie Castrigno, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Ken & Patti Crowley , Widdershins, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Ken & Patti Crowley, The Twilight of the Golds, Reston Community Players
• Jennifer Lyman, Almost Maine, Vienna Theatre Company
• Liz Owens & Nancy Owens, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical

• Keith Bell, 42nd Street, The Arlington Players
• David Correia & David Hale, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• David Correia, Oliver, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Bill Johnson, Hairspray, The Alliance Theatre
• Kenny Neal & Daniel Tobiassen, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Vitol Wiacek, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Damascus Theatre Company

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play

• Ben Allen, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players
• Wes Bedsworth, The Diviners , Colonial Players of Annapolis
• William Chrapsynski, Moonlight and Magnolias, Reston Community Players
• Jonathan Powers, Almost Maine, Vienna Theatre Company
• Alan Wray, The Seagull, The Arlington Players

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical

• Mary Ayala-Bush, Frankenstein, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Michelle Bogert, Hairspray, The Alliance Theatre
• Kevin Lane, Nine , The Arlington Players
• Charlotte Marson & Judy Whelihan, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• Jean Schlichting & Kit Sibley, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play

• Lory Levitt & McKenna Kelly, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Susan Schulman et al, Romeo and Juliet, Silver Spring Stage
• Robbie Snow & Christian D. Faulkner, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Annie Vroom, Widdershins, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Annie Vroom, Noises Off, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical

• Kat Brais & Andy Izquierdo, Frankenstein, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Jaimie Nelson, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Port Tobacco Players
• Robin Parker, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Jaclyn Young, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• Sammi Zanelotti, Willy Wonka, Port Tobacco Players

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play

• Scott Beadle, Sordid Lives, Bowie Community Theatre
• C. Evans Kirk, Widdershins, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Howard Vincent Kurtz, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• PJ Mitchell, Psycho Beach Party, Dominion Stage
• Sue Pinkman, The Seagull, The Arlington Players

Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical

• Kat Brais, Nine, The Arlington Players
• Maureen Clum, Julie Perez, Derek Critzer, Hairspray, The Alliance Theatre
• Anna Michelle Jackson & Irene Kasotakis, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Melodie Wilson, Frankenstein, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Jaclyn Young , The Drowsy Chaperone , Reston Community Players

Outstanding Hair Design in a Play

• Beth Harrison, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Howard Vincent Kurtz, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Molly Hicks Larson, A Streetcar Named Desire, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Denise A. Levine, Same Time Next Year, Greenbelt Arts Center
• PJ Mitchell, Psycho Beach Party, Dominion Stage
• Sue Pinkman, The Seagull, The Arlington Players
• Scott Ross & Kaeti Bradley, Sordid Lives, Bowie Community Theatre
• Mary-Anne Sullivan, The Women, Prince William Little Theatre

Outstanding Special Effects

• Ben Allen, Almost Maine, Vienna Theatre Company
• Ken & Patti Crowley, Widdershins, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Denise Gilmore et al, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Keith Linville et al, Willy Wonka, Port Tobacco Players
• Dav Timmermann, A Christmas Carol, Port Tobacco Players

Nominations for outstanding performances by an actor or actress

Outstanding cameo in a musical

• Taurean Maray Barber as “Fred Casely”, Chicago, St. Mark’s Players
• Micky Goldstein as “Burt Healey”, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Andy Izquierdo as “Blind Man”, Frankenstein, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Scott J. Strasbaugh as “Mr. Pinky”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Gina C. Tomkus as “Matron/Gym Teacher”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Mark Williams as “High School Principal”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding cameo in a play

• Carolyn Cameron as “Maggie”, The Women, Prince William Little Theatre
• Victor Maldonado as “Lou Tanner”, The Gingerbread Lady, Chevy Chase Players
• Lisa Nichols as “Olga”, The Women, Prince William Little Theatre
• Laura Rogers as “Girl”, Blackbird, Silver Spring Stage
• Sally Zatkoff as “Candy Starr”, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Prince William Little Theatre
• Robin Zerbe as “Crystal Allen”, The Women, Prince William Little Theatre

Outstanding featured actress in a musical

• Michelle Harmon as “Armeila McQueen”, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Rikki Howie as “Charlayne Woodard”, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Jade Jones as “Nell Carter”, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Brenda Parker as “Motormouth Maybelle”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Miriam Urquart as “Star to Be”, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Jaclyn Young as “Penny Pingleton”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding featured actor in a musical

• Alex Bedont as “Audrey II voice”, Little Shop of Horrors, The Alliance Theatre
• Chaz Coffin as “Seaweed Stubbs”, Hairspray, The Alliance Theatre
• Adrian Cubbage as “Seaweed J. Stubbs”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Patrick Doneghy as “Andre DeShields”, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Gabriel Potter as “Leaf Coneybear”, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Damascus Theatre Company
• Christopher Prince as “Ken Page”, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players

Outstanding featured actress in a play

• Bernadette Arvidson as “Juanita”, Sordid Lives, Bowie Community Theatre
• Joanne Bauer as “Sissy Hickey”, Sordid Lives, Bowie Community Theatre
• Karen Elle as “Saint Monica et al”, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Silver Spring Stage
• Ruth Neaveill as “Vera Charles”, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Jaclyn Young as “Hermia/Snout/Wall”, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players

Outstanding featured actor in a play

• Scott Beadle as “Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram”, Sordid Lives, Bowie Community Theatre
• Adam Downs as “Garry Lejeune”, Noises Off, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Tom Flatt as “Mason Marzak”, Take Me Out, Dominion Stage
• Brendan Murray as “Butch Honeywell et al”, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Silver Spring Stage
• Pat Reynolds as “Paul Gauguin”, Inventing Van Gogh, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Outstanding lead actress in a musical

• Maya Brettell as “Annie”, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Laura Fontaine as “Audrey”, Little Shop of Horrors, The Alliance Theatre
• Shannon Kingett as “Tracy Turnblad”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Kate Merryman as “The Narrator”, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, McLean Community Players
• Chrissy Barnett Miller as “Audrey”, Little Shop of Horrors, Damascus Theatre Company
• Anya Randall Nebel as “Velma Kelly”, Chicago, St. Mark’s Players

Outstanding lead actor in a musical

• Christopher Harris as “Edna Turnblad”, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Anthony Ingargiola as “Seymour”, Little Shop of Horrors, The Alliance Theatre
• Eric Kennedy as “Guido Contini”, Nine, The Arlington Players
• Gabriel Potter as “Seymour”, Little Shop of Horrors, Damascus Theatre Company
• Christopher Smith as “Nathan”, Thrill Me, Elden Street Players

Outstanding lead actress in a play

• Sherry Berg as “Una”, Blackbird, Capital City Players of DC
• Lolita-Marie as “Mattie Cheeks”, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs, Port City Playhouse
• Jo Black Sullivan as “Glorie”, Grace and Glorie, Bowie Community Theatre
• Sandra Cox True as “Grace”, Grace and Glorie, Bowie Community Theatre
• Beth Whitehead as “Auntie Mame Dennis”, Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Robin Zerbe as “Irma Grese”, Angel: A Nightmare in Two Acts, Port City Playhouse

Outstanding lead actor in a play

• Mark Lee Adams as “Dr. Farquhar”, Mindgame, Port City Playhouse
• J. McAndrew Breen as “Charlie Conlon etc.”, Stones in His Pockets, Montgomery Playhouse
• William Cassidy as “Randle P. McMurphy”, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Silver Spring Stage
• Adam Downs as “Ralph”, Frozen, Elden Street Players
• Kevin S. Dykstra as “Jake Quinn etc.”, Stones in His Pockets, Montgomery Playhouse

Nominations for outstanding achievement in overall production

Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography

• Steve Custer, Hair, Kensington Arts Theatre
• William T. Fleming, Romeo and Juliet, Silver Spring Stage
• Katherine Frattini, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players
• Richard Koster, Company, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Karen Schlumpf & Brian Farrell, Moonlight and Magnolias, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Choreography

• Iván Dávila, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Andrea Heininge, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players
• Rikki Howie, Chicago, St. Mark’s Players
• Pam & Kathleen McCormack, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, McLean Community Players
• Duane Monahan, Annie, Rockville Musical Theatre
• John K. Monnett, 42nd Street, The Arlington Players

Outstanding Music Direction

• Mayumi Baker & Valerie A. Higgs, Jekyll & Hyde, Kensington Arts Theatre
• J. Michael d’Haviland, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Paul Nasto, Nine, The Arlington Players
• Keith Tittermary, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Damascus Theatre Company
• Christopher A. Tomasino, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

• Stephanie Bonte-Lebair, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Damascus Theatre Company
• Annie Ermlick, Hairspray, The Alliance Theatre
• Richelle “Rikki” Howie, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Sue Pinkman, Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Joshua Redford, The Drowsy Chaperone, Reston Community Players

Outstanding Direction of a Play

• Bob Benn, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Silver Spring Stage
• Joanna Henry, Rabbit Hole, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Evan Hoffmann, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players
• Estelle Miller, Grace and Glorie, Bowie Community Theatre
• Roxanne Fournier Stone, Stones in His Pockets, Montgomery Playhouse

Outstanding Musical

• Hairspray , The Alliance Theatre
• 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Damascus Theatre Company
• Ain’t Misbehavin’, Elden Street Players
• Hairspray, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Annie , Rockville Musical Theatre

Outstanding Play

• Grace and Glorie, Bowie Community Players
• The Shape of Things, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Elden Street Players
• Noises Off, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Stones in His Pockets, Montgomery Playhouse
• Auntie Mame, Providence Players of Fairfax
• Shadow Box, Providence Players of Fairfax

Nominations sorted by theatre and show

Alliance Theatre

2 productions received a total of 11 nominations

• Hairspray
  6 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Michelle Bogert
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Annie Ermlick
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Chaz Coffin as “Seaweed Stubbs”
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Maureen Clum, Julie Perez, Derek Critzer
  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Bill Johnson
• Little Shop of Horrors
  5 nominations
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Alex Bedont as “Audrey II voice”
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Anthony Ingargiola as “Seymour”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Laura Fontaine as “Audrey”
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Derek Critzer & Dawne LeKang
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Dawne LeKang

Arlington Players

3 productions received a total of 17 nominations

• 42nd Street
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Choreography, John K. Monnett
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Ryan Desmond
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Keith Bell
• Nine
  4 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Kevin Lane
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Kat Brais
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Eric Kennedy as “Guido Contini”
  • Outstanding Music Direction, Paul Nasto
• The Seagull
  10 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Lory Levitt & McKenna Kelly
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Sue Pinkman
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, AnnMarie Castrigno
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Sue Pinkman
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Avery Burns
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Arthur Pleasants et al
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Lindsey Hays
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Amanda Acker
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Kate Roehr
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Alan Wray

Bowie Community Theatre

2 productions received a total of 9 nominations

• Grace and Glorie
  4 nominations
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Estelle Miller
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Jo Black Sullivan as “Glorie”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Sandra Cox True as “Grace”
  • Outstanding Play
• Sordid Lives
  5 nominations
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Scott Beadle as “Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Bernadette Arvidson as “Juanita”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Joanne Bauer as “Sissy Hickey”
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Scott Ross & Kaeti Bradley
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Scott Beadle

Capital City Players Of Dc

1 production received 1 nomination

• Blackbird
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Sherry Berg as “Una”

Chevy Chase Players

1 production received 1 nomination

• The Gingerbread Lady
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Victor Maldonado as “Lou Tanner”

Colonial Players

4 productions received a total of 4 nominations

• Company
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Richard Koster
• Inventing Van Gogh
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Pat Reynolds as “Paul Gauguin”
• The Diviners
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Wes Bedsworth
• The Shape of Things
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Play

Damascus Theatre Company

2 productions received a total of 12 nominations

• 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
  6 nominations
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Stephanie Bonte-Lebair
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Gabriel Potter as “Leaf Coneybear”
  • Outstanding Music Direction, Keith Tittermary
  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Elli Swink
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Vitol Wiacek
• Little Shop of Horrors
  6 nominations
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Gabriel Potter as “Seymour”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Chrissy Barnett Miller as “Audrey”
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Rick Swink
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Maria Littlefield
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Jim Korte et al
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Maria Littlefield

Dominion Stage

2 productions received a total of 3 nominations

• Psycho Beach Party
  2 nominations
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, PJ Mitchell
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, PJ Mitchell
• Take Me Out
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Tom Flatt as “Mason Marzak”

Elden Street Players

4 productions received a total of 22 nominations

• A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream
  7 nominations
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Evan Hoffmann
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Jaclyn Young as “Hermia/Snout/Wall”
  • Outstanding Play
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Evan Hoffmann
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Kate Meier & Karl Meier
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Ben Allen
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Katherine Frattini
• Ain’t Misbehavin’
  11 nominations
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Richelle “Rikki” Howie
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Patrick Doneghy as “Andre DeShields”
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Christopher Prince as “Ken Page”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Michelle Harmon as “Armeila McQueen”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Rikki Howie as “Charlayne Woodard”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Jade Jones as “Nell Carter”
  • Outstanding Music Direction, J. Michael d’Haviland
  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, James Villarrubia et al
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, James Villarrubia
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Cathy Rieder & James Villarrubia
• Frozen
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Adam Downs as “Ralph”
• Thrill Me
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Christopher Smith as “Nathan”
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Tom Epps
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Grant Kevin Lane

Greenbelt Arts Center

1 production received 1 nomination

• Same Time Next Year
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Denise A. Levine

Kensington Arts Theatre

2 productions received a total of 2 nominations

• Hair
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Steve Custer
• Jekyll & Hyde
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Music Direction, Mayumi Baker & Valerie A. Higgs

Little Theatre of Alexandria

6 productions received a total of 43 nominations

• Hairspray
  22 nominations
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Scott J. Strasbaugh as “Mr. Pinky”
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Gina C. Tomkus as “Matron/Gym Teacher”
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Mark Williams as “High School Principal”
  • Outstanding Choreography, Ivan Davila
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Jean Schlichting & Kit Sibley
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Sue Pinkman
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Adrian Cubbage as “Seaweed J. Stubbs”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Brenda Parker as “Motormouth Maybelle”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Jaclyn Young as “Penny Pingleton”
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Anna Michelle Jackson & Irene Kasotakis
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Christopher Harris as “Edna Turnblad”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Shannon Kingett as “Tracy Turnblad”
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Franklin C. Coleman
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Robin Parker
  • Outstanding Music Direction, Christopher A. Tomasino
  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Judy Kee & Margaret Snow
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Chris Feldmann
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Marian Holmes & Russell Wyland
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Myke Taister
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Kevin O’Dowd
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, David Correia & David Hale
• Move Over, Mrs. Markham
  6 nominations
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Howard Vincent Kurtz
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Liz Owens & Nancy Owens
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Howard Vincent Kurtz
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Rebecca & John Johnson
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Chris Feldmann
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Mary Hutzler
• Noises Off
  6 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Annie Vroom
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Adam Downs as “Garry Lejeune”
  • Outstanding Play
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Dan Remmers
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, C. Evans Kirk & Dan Remmers
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Kevin O’Dowd
• Oliver!
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Nancyanne Burton et al
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Erin Cumbo
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, David Correia
• Rabbit Hole
  2 nominations
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Joanna Henry
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Nicole Zuchetto
• Widdershins
  4 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Annie Vroom
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Ken & Patti Crowley
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, C. Evans Kirk
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Ken & Patti Crowley

McLean Community Players

1 production received 2 nominations

• Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  • Outstanding Choreography, Pam & Kathleen McCormack
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Kate Merryman as “The Narrator”

Montgomery Playhouse

1 production received 4 nominations

• Stones in His Pockets
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Roxanne Fournier Stone
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, J. McAndrew Breen as “Charlie Conlon etc.”
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Kevin S. Dykstra as “Jake Quinn etc.”
  • Outstanding Play

Port City Playhouse

3 productions received a total of 3 nominations

• Angel: A Nightmare in Two Acts
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Robin Zerbe as “Irma Grese”
• Mindgame
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Mark Lee Adams as “Dr. Farquhar”
• No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Lolita-Marie as “Mattie Cheeks”

Port Tobacco Players

4 productions received a total of 11 nominations

• A Christmas Carol
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Dav Timmermann
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
  5 nominations
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Jaimie Nelson
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, John Merritt
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, April Dawn Weimer & John Merritt
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Melissa Gilpin & John Merritt
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, April Dawn Weimer et al
• Duck Hunter Shoots Angel
  2 nominations
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, John Merritt
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Ronna Johnson
• Willy Wonka
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Sammi Zanelotti
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Joe Stine & John Merritt
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Keith Linville et al

Prince William Little Theatre

2 productions received a total of 5 nominations

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Sally Zatkoff as “Candy Starr”
• The Women
  4 nominations
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Carolyn Cameron as “Maggie”
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Lisa Nichols as “Olga”
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Robin Zerbe as “Crystal Allen”
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Mary-Anne Sullivan

Providence Players

2 productions received a total of 11 nominations

• Auntie Mame
  8 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Robbie Snow & Christian D. Faulkner
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Ruth Neaveill as “Vera Charles”
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Beth Harrison
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Beth Whitehead as “Auntie Mame Dennis”
  • Outstanding Play
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, John Coscia et al
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Ingrid Helvig David
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, John Coscia et al
• Shadow Box
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Play
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, John Coscia & Chip Gertzog
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Chip Gertzog & John Coscia

Reston Community Players

3 productions received a total of 15 nominations

• Moonlight and Magnolias
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Bea and Jerry Morse
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, William Chrapsynski
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Karen Schlumpf & Brian Farrell
• The Drowsy Chaperone
  9 nominations
  • Outstanding Choreography, Andrea Heininge
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Charlotte Marson & Judy Whelihan
  • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Joshua Redford
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Jaclyn Young
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Jaclyn Young
  • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Mary Jo Ford
  • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Sara Birkhead
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Bea and Jerry Morse & Barbara Wilson
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Cathy Reider, Sabrina Begley, Maggie Cotter
• The Twilight of the Golds
  3 nominations
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Ken & Patti Crowley
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Andrew JM Regiec
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Christa Westall

Rockville Little Theatre

1 production received 3 nominations

• Translations
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Mary Dalto & Nancy Eynon Lark
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Mary Dalto & Nancy Eynon Lark
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Melanie Papasian

Rockville Musical Theatre

1 production received 11 nominations

• Annie
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Micky Goldstein as “Bert Healey”
  • Outstanding Choreography, Duane Monahan
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Miriam Urquart as “Star to Be”
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Maya Brettell as “Annie”
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Noam Lautman
  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Nancy McLaughlin et al
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Mark Hamberger
  • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Malca Giblin et al
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Kenny Neal & Daniel Tobiassen
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Denise Gilmore et al

Silver Spring Stage

4 productions received a total of 7 nominations

• Blackbird
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Laura Rogers as “Girl”
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
  2 nominations
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Bob Benn
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, William Cassidy as “Randle P. McMurphy”
• Romeo and Juliet
  2 nominations
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Susan Schulman et al
  • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, William T. Fleming
• The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
  2 nominations
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Brendan Murray as “Butch Honeywell et al”
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Karen Elle as “Saint Monica et al”

St. Mark’s Players

1 production received 3 nominations

• Chicago
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Taurean Maray Barber as “Fred Casely”
  • Outstanding Choreography, Rikki Howie
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Anya Randall Nebel as “Velma Kelly”

Taking Flight Theatre Company

3 productions received a total of 6 nominations

• A Streetcar Named Desire
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Molly Hicks Larson
• Frankenstein
  4 nominations
  • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Andy Izquierdo as “Blind Man”
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Mary Ayala-Bush
  • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Melodie Wilson
  • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Kat Brais & Andy Izquierdo
• Loose Knit
  1 nomination
  • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Jessie Roberts

Vienna Theatre Company

1 production received 3 nominations

• Almost Maine
  • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Jennifer Lyman
  • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Jonathan Powers
  • Outstanding Special Effects, Ben Allen

Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night; or, What You Will, dates back to the turn of the 17th Century, a Twelfth Night amusement for Epiphany, traditionally a time of festivity, upturning of traditional roles and celebration to end the Christmas season. Its plot – mistaken identity, love and loss are to be found in several of Shakespeare’s comedies, most notably A Comedy of Errors (two sets of identical twins mistaken for each other), As You Like It (woman passing for man) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (lovers’ triangle), but the language and festivity are unique to this play about a brother and sister so alike as to be mistaken for each other.

Viola (Helen Gorman), recently rescued from a shipwreck, fears her much beloved twin brother has died in the same wreck and finds herself on the shores of Illyria and in need of a benefactor. With the help of the sailors who rescued her, she decides to dress herself as a boy and serve Orsino, the Duke of Illyria (Gary Muggleton Small, assisted by Jeanette Brown, his sign language interpreter). Orsino asks Viola, now known as Cesario, to become his messenger of love to Olivia (played for our performance by Leeza Malachevsky), recently bereaved of both her father and brother and in no mood to be wooed by anyone. Olivia, charmed by Cesario’s manner and face, falls for “him” instead of the Duke, setting the wheels in motion for confusion and hilarity as Viola tries to come to terms with her own feelings for the Duke.

Also residing in Olivia’s household, Malvolio, Olivia’s dour, humorless steward (Andrew Rayo), Sir Toby Belch, her dissipated and portly uncle, (one of my all-time favorite comic Shakespearean characters, played by Chaz Atkinson), Sir Andrew Aguecheek, his silly sidekick full of puff and bluster (Jackson Sanchez), Maria, Olivia’s sly and revengeful Lady in waiting (Rebecca Jonas) and Fabian, a clever servant (Christina O’Brien) in cahoots with the other three who are determined to retaliate when Malvolio threatens to kick Sir Toby and Sir Andrew out for enjoying their evening celebrations rather more exuberantly than they should so late at night. Feste (Sofia Cabrales), is the charmingly talented fool who brings the separate plotlines of this fun comedy to a proper close with delightful song and words that prove she’s the wisest of fools presented in the story.

When Sebastian (Jacob Rocco) enters the scene with his own savior, the “pirate” Antonio (Julie Rogers), it takes some suspension of disbelief to accept that he could be mistaken for Viola and vice versa, but this is a teen production and casting choices ought to be accepted and applauded. If you’ve seen Twelfth Night, it’s worth seeing again for the interpretations Gorman, Rayo, Cabrales, Atkinson, Jonas and O’Brien give their characters. Aside from supporting our latest generation of actors, these kids make it worth the effort.

In all, a cast of as many as 22 performers bring Twelfth Night to life at the Laurel Mill Playhouse, with the help of director, sound and lighting designer Michael V. Hartsfield, producer Maureen C. Rogers and dramaturge Dan Staicer.

Kim Delk and James Raymond designed the costumes (including the cleverest use of curtains I’ve seen, in Olivia’s second gown), and Raymond is responsible for the attractive set (most notably in the tiny but very practical and nicely designed revolving platform “door” and pivoting arches). Raymond has made the tiny playhouse a suitable and easily changed space for its large cast and quick scene changes.

This show is suitable for theatergoers as young as seven as well as adults. It’s a great family option for an afternoon or evening’s entertainment.

Cast

• ORSINO, Duke of lIIyria: Gary Muggleton Small
• DUKE’S INTERPRETER: Jeanette Brown
• CURIO, Gentleman attending the Duke: Alexis Thompson
• VALENTINE, Gentleman attending the Duke: Jordan Budzinski
• VIOLA, Sister to Sebastian: Helen Gorman
• A SEA CAPTAIN and Friend to Viola, Ensemble and Olivia’s Understudy (7/1, 7/8, 7/10, 7/17): Leeza Malachevsky
• FESTE, a Clown and Servant to Olivia: Sofia Cabrales
• OLIVIA, a rich Countess: Mariah Kuhn
• MALVOLIO, Steward to Olivia: Andrew Rayo
• ANTONIO, a Sea Captain and Friend to Sebastian: Julie Rogers
• SEBASTIAN, Brother to Viola: Jacob Rocco
• FABIAN, Servant to Olivia: Christina O’Brien
• A SERVANT TO OLIVIA and Ensemble: Allison Thompson
• FIRST OFFICER and Ensemble: Juliet Beach
• SECOND OFFICER and Ensemble: Justyce Bennett
• PRIEST and Ensemble: Morgan Delk
• ENSEMBLE and Second Officer Understudy (7/9, 7/17): Emily Bruun
• ENSEMBLE: Katie Grebenstein
• ENSEMBLE and A Sea Captain Understudy (7/1, 7/8, 7/10, 7/17): Mary Elizabeth Hommel

Crew

• Director: Michael V. Hartsfield
• Producer: Maureen C. Rogers
• Dramaturge: Dan Staicer
• Stage Manager: Michael V. Hartsfield, Volunteers
• Set Designer: James Raymond
• Set Construction: James Raymond, Lynda Atkinson, Jamie Fine, John Lee, Matt Thompson
• Set Painting: James Raymond, Lynda Atkinson, Jamie Fine
• Set Dressing: James Raymond
• Costume Designers: Kim Delk, James Raymond
• Costume Construction Crew: Kim Delk, James Raymond, Lynda Atkinson, Jeano Binney, Kathy Cox, Jamie Fine, Nancy Mullis, Debbie Thompson
• Lighting/Sound Design: Michael V. Hartsfield
• Properties: Kim Delk, Michael V. Hartsfield, James Raymond
• Tech Crew: Calvin DaSilva, Michael V. Hartsfield, Volunteers
• Hair/Make-Up: Cast
• Program, Poster, Publicity: Maureen Rogers
• Box Office: Lori Bruun, Steve Bruun, Maureen Rogers, Nicole Woody, Patrice Woody
• Concessions/Candy Grams: Ginny Brown, Debbie Thompson
• Head Shots: Brian Binney
• Website: John Cholod

Disclaimer: Laurel Mill Playhouse provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

Black Coffee is the first play written by Agatha Christie. Taking place in 1930, a physicist comes up with a formula for the hydrogen bomb, but during a family gathering the physicist is murdered and the formula is stolen. In typical Christie fashion the writer keeps you guessing and, at points, chortling over the humor in this Christie whodunit.

Sir Claud Armory (Brian Binney) entered the stage with a commanding yet preoccupied air, typical of an intelligent man. Binney’s anger was real and very evident on his scowling face as he locked everyone in the room to demand the stolen formula be returned. Members of his family, household staff, and co-workers are all potentially the thief. Sir Claud has called his friend, Inspector Hercule Poirot, to the house to help find the missing formula. Unfortunately for Sir Claud, Poirot arrives a bit too late.

The suave, unruffled Poirot, played by Larry Simmons, quickly took control of the situation and left no stone unturned as he sought to catch a killer and thief. Simmons’ simple and direct questions were in stark contrast to the more excitable Captain Arthur Hastings O.B.E., played by Richard Atha-Nichols. A real gung-ho character who always seemed to jump to the wrong conclusion, but was willing to keep on trying for the sport of it. He was a good balance to the more sedate Simmons.

Since none of the family was quite what they seemed, with hidden pasts and potentially ruinous secrets, the cast worked well to keep the audience guessing. Lucia Armory, husband to Richard Armory, was an emotional wreck. Many tears were supposedly shed as the poor woman (played by Belle Constantine) she seemed to only be able to tell the truth to Inspector Poirot, who kept her dark past safe. Spunky and cynical Barbara Armory had her cap set for Sir Arthur Hastings and the two of them made a good believable team as they seemed to continually have a need to “check out the gardens.”

With a cast of twelve there were times when the small space seemed crowded. Black Coffee was a show with a lot of sitting and talking which was fine, if not a bit boring at times as Poirot questioned everyone in great detail, if you were seated in the front row, but the farther back from the stage the view had the potential to become obstructed when the actors entered and sat down. The accents were also not very consistent. Poirot kept his French accent pretty well. There were some others that managed the English upper crust dialect, but others did not even try. Set Designer and director Mark T. Allen made good use of entrances and exits to allow for a comedic touch that proved useful in the end. The set was also well maintained and period appropriate.

This inaugural Agatha Christie mystery will keep you guessing until the end.

Director’s Notes

Directing an Agatha Christie mystery is always a challenge. It takes a true team effort to properly present all the red herrings she plants throughout the story, as well as the true clues to the mystery, without telegraphing anything. At the same time, keeping in mind that a not insignificant portion of the audience is familiar with the story and is watching to see how well we present Dame Agatha’s misdirections, and finding ways to bring out all the humorous touches she sprinkles throughout her tales.

Black Coffee is the first play Dame Agatha wrote, as a result of her being dissatisfied with someone else’s adaptation of one of her novels. True aficionados will undoubtedly see elements she borrowed from her earlier novels, which probably explains why she never adapted it into a prose work. Nevertheless it stands out well on its own. Hope you enjoy.

Photo Gallery

Photo provided by Laurel Mill Playhouse

Cast

• Tredwell: Bernie Noeller
• Lucia Armory: Belle Constantine
• Miss Caroline Armory: Maureen Rogers
• Richard Armory: Jeff Mocho
• Barbara Armory: Dana Medford
• Edward Raynor: Korry Twitt
• Dr. Carelli: Steve Izant
• Sir Claud Armory: Brian Binney
• Hercule Poirot: Larry Simmons
• Captain Arthur Hastings, O.B.E: Richard Atha-Nicholls
• Dr. Graham: Doug Silverman
• Inspector Japp: Bernie Noeller
• Johnson: Calvin DaSilva

Crew

• Director: Mark T. Allen
• Producer: Maureen Rogers
• Stage Manager: Lori Bruun
• Lights and Sound Operators: Lori Bruun, Diana Simmons, Maya Taylor
• Set Design: Mark T. Allen, Michael Hartsfield
• Light/Sound Design: Mark T. Allen
• Set Construction: Mark T. Allen, Lori Bruun, John Martin, Dwight Sullivan
• Set Painting/Set Dressing: Mark T. Allen, Lori Bruun, Anne Hull
• Costumes: Mark T. Allen and Cast
• Hair/Make-Up: Larry Weidman and Cast
• Properties: Mark T. Allen, Lori Bruun, Diana Simmons, Larry Simmons
• Poster: Maureen Rogers
• Program/publicity: Maureen Rogers
• Head Shot Photos/Post Cards: Brian Binney
• Box Office, Reservations & Concessions: Nedret Constantine, Julie Rogers, Maureen Rogers
• Webmaster: John Cholod

Disclaimer: Laurel Mill Playhouse provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

The ceremony featured performances of a song from the five nominees for Outstanding Musical (She Loves Me, Damascus Theatre Company; Rent, Elden Street Players; Chicago, Little Theatre of Alexandria; The Producers, Port Tobacco Players; and The Producers, The Arlington Players). One group (The Alliance Theatre) joined WATCH in 2011 and introduced themselves during the ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by actor Fred Nelson and lasted three hours.

There were 121 productions (35 musicals, 86 plays) adjudicated in 2010. Thirty community theater companies participated in WATCH adjudication.

View all nominations and awards broken down by company

Awards for Outstanding Technical Achievements

• Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Kevin King, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Set Design in a Play: John W. Kirby & John Merritt, Arsenic and Old Lace, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical: Marty Sullivan & Bill Behan, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Set Construction in a Play: Jeff Merritt, Arsenic and Old Lace, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical: Mary Rose Vasko & John Vasko, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Set Painting in a Play: John Merritt, Arsenic and Old Lace, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Musical: (TIE) Theresa Bender & Eliza Wolfe, Rent, Elden Street Players; Nancy Eynon Lark, She Loves Me, Damascus Theatre Company
• Outstanding Set Decoration and Set Dressing in a Play: Mary Thiedeman, Arsenic and Old Lace, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Properties in a Musical: Theresa Bender & Eliza Wolfe, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Properties in a Play: Andrew Greenleaf, Bridget Muehlberger Sonya Okin, Rabbit Hole, Silver Spring Stage
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical: AnnMarie Castrigno, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play: Terry Averill, Earth and Sky, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: (TIE) Richard Bird, Wonderful Town, Reston Community Players; Stan Harris, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Sound Design in a Play: Wes Bedsworth, Earth and Sky, Colonial Players of Annapolis
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: Barbara Esquibel, The Producers, The Arlington Players
• Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Heather Bauer, Arsenic and Old Lace, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical: (TIE) Laura Fontaine, Rent, Elden Street Players; Christine Spata, Evil Dead: The Musical, Taking Flight Theatre Company
• Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play: Julie Cameron, Frankenstein, Prince William Little Theatre
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical: (TIE) Laura Fontaine, Rent, Elden Street Players; Ronna Johnson, The Producers, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Hair Design in a Play: Paul Morton, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding Special Effects: John Bordeaux & Todd C. Huse, Rent, Elden Street Players

Awards for Outstanding Performances by an Actor or Actress

• Outstanding Cameo in a Musical: Laura Gepford as “Mistress”, Evita, Rockville Musical Theatre
• Outstanding Cameo in a Play: Richard Bird as “Sheriff/Ticket Agent”, The Trip to Bountiful, Reston Community Players
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: TiaJuana Rountree as “Mrs. Mae Peterson”, Bye Bye, Birdie, Prince George’s Little Theatre
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Mickey Daniel DaGuiso as “Angel Dumott Schunard”, Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Audrey Cafaly as “Izzy”, Rabbit Hole, Silver Spring Stage
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Dino P. Coppa as “David O. Selznick”, Moonlight and Magnolias, Montgomery Playhouse
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Autumn Seavey as “Violet”, Violet, Kensington Arts Theatre
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Jimmy Payne as “Max”, The Producers, Port Tobacco Players
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Lorraine Magee as “Vivian Bearing, Ph.D.”, W;t, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Thurston Cobb as “Ralph”, Frozen, Colonial Players of Annapolis

Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Overall Production

• Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography: Kevin C. Robertson, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Fauquier Community Theatre
• Outstanding Choreography: Amy Carson, Chicago, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding Music Direction: (TIE) John-Michael d’Haviland, Rent, Elden Street Players; Paul Nasto, Chicago, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding Direction of a Musical: (TIE) Todd C. Huse, Rent, Elden Street Players; Susan Devine, Chicago, Little Theatre of Alexandria
• Outstanding Direction of a Play: Evan Hoffmann, Metamorphoses, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Musical: Rent, Elden Street Players
• Outstanding Play: Metamorphoses, Elden Street Players

All Nominations and Awards Broken Down by Company

Arlington Players

• Awards (1)
  • The Producers
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Barbara Esquibel
• Nominations (15)
  • Amadeus
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Michael Kharfen as “Antonio Salieri”
  • Cabaret
    • Outstanding Choreography, Jeremy A. McShan
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, J. Arthur Rodger
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Andy Izquierdo as “Emcee”
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Amanda Acker
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Dave Means
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Keith Bell
  • The Producers
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Mark Hidalgo as “Lead Stormtrooper”
    • Outstanding Choreography, John Monnett
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Barbara Esquibel
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Anne Marie Pinto as “Ulla”
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Xandra Weaver
    • Outstanding Musical
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Peter Finkel & Bill Wisniewski
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Jared Davis

Bowie Community Theatre

• Nominations (1)
  • The Glass Menagerie
    • Outstanding Play

Capital City Players Of DC

• Nominations (1)
  • Julius Caesar
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Nello DeBlasio as “Mark Antony”

Castaways Repertory Theatre

• Nominations (1)
  • The Miracle Worker
    • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Kevin C. Robertson

Colonial Players

• Awards (3)
  • Earth and Sky
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Terry Averill
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Wes Bedsworth
  • Frozen
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Thurston Cobb as “Ralph”
• Nominations (16)
  • Dog Logic
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Ben Carr as “Hertel”
  • Earth and Sky
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Pat Reynolds as “David Ames”
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Erin Leigh Casey as “Sara McKeon”
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Terry Averill
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Wes Bedsworth
  • Frozen
    • Outstanding Direction of a Play, James Gallagher
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Laura E. Gayvert as “Agnetha”
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Thurston Cobb as “Ralph”
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Mary MacLeod as “Nancy”
    • Outstanding Play
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Ben Cornwell
  • I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Danny Brooks as “Trentell/Arthur”
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Jamie Erin Miller as “Jennifer and other characters”
  • Mrs. California
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Doug Dawson
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play – Doug Dawson
    • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Grace Bumgardner & Lois Banscher

Damascus Theatre Company

• Awards (1)
  • She Loves Me
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Nancy Eynon Lark
• Nominations (10)
  • She Loves Me
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Jason Damaso as “Waiter”
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Phil Hosford
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Stephanie Bonte-Lebair as “Amalia Balash”
    • Outstanding Music Direction, Phil Hosford
    • Outstanding Musical
    • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Margie Henry
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical – Bill Lebair
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Nancy Eynon Lark
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Bill Brown
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Judy Jandora

Dominion Stage

• Nominations (7)
  • Altar Boyz
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Jeffrey S. Auerbach
  • Reefer Madness
    • Outstanding Choreography, Catherine Oh
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Jacquin Pierce Allen
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Tom Flatt as “The Lecturer”
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Jeffrey S. Auerbach
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Jared Davis
    • Outstanding Special Effects, Jeffrey S. Auerbach & David Moretti

Elden Street Players

• Awards (17)
  • Metamorphoses
    • Outstanding Direction of a Play – Evan Hoffmann
    • Outstanding Play
  • Rent
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical – Todd C. Huse
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Mickey Daniel DaGuiso as “Angel Dumott Schunard”
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Laura Fontaine
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, AnnMarie Castrigno
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Laura Fontaine
    • Outstanding Music Direction, John-Michael d’Haviland
    • Outstanding Musical
    • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Theresa Bender & Eliza Wolfe
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Marty Sullivan & Bill Behan
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Theresa Bender & Eliza Wolfe
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Kevin King
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Mary Rose Vasko & John Vasko
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Stan Harris
    • Outstanding Special Effects, John Bordeaux & Todd C. Huse
  • W;t
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Lorraine Magee as “Vivian Bearing, Ph.D.”
• Nominations (32)
  • Metamorphoses
    • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Evan Hoffmann
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Laura Fontaine & Jaclyn Young
    • Outstanding Play
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Marty Sullivan & Theresa Bender
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Evan Hoffmann
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Karl Meier & Kate Meier
    • Outstanding Special Effects, Theresa Bender et al
    • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Katherine Frattini
  • Murder in Green Meadows
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Alan Reichert
    • Outstanding Special Effects, Brian Farrell et al
  • Rent
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Judy Whelihan & Susan Devine
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Todd Huse
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Mickey Daniel DaGuiso as “Angel Dumott Schunard”
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Christopher Prince as “Tom Collins”
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Richelle “Rikki” Howie as “Joanne Jefferson”
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Chelsa Reba as “Mimi Marquez”
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Laura Fontaine
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, AnnMarie Castrigno
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Laura Fontaine
    • Outstanding Music Direction, John-Michael d’Haviland
    • Outstanding Musical
    • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Theresa Bender & Eliza Wolfe
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, Marty Sullivan & Bill Behan
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Theresa Bender & Eliza Wolfe
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Kevin King
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Mary Rose Vasko & John Vasko
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Stan Harris
    • Outstanding Special Effects, John Bordeaux & Todd C. Huse
  • W;t
    • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Gloria DuGan
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Lorraine Magee as “Vivian Bearing, Ph.D.”
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Franklin Coleman
    • Outstanding Play

Fauquier Community Theatre

• Awards (1)
  • Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
    • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography – Kevin C. Robertson
• Nominations (3)
  • Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
    • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Kevin C. Robertson
  • The Miracle Worker
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Sarah LaFantasie as “Annie Sullivan”
    • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography

Greenbelt Arts Center

• Nominations (1)
  • Man of LaMancha
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, Eric Street

Kensington Arts Theatre

• Awards (1)
  • Violet
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Autumn Seavey as “Violet”
• Nominations (12)
  • Chicago
    • Outstanding Choreography, Diego Prieto
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Andrea Spitz & Diego Prieto
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Dani Stoller as “Roxie Hart”
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Kevin P. Garrett
  • Rent
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Eric Jones as “The Man”
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Jase Parker as “Angel D. Schunard”
    • Outstanding Music Direction, Brian Victor
  • Violet
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Caroline Jane Angell
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Autumn Seavey as “Violet”
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Christopher Kelly
    • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Jenna Ballard
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Kevin P. Garrett

Little Theatre Of Alexandria

• Awards (4)
  • Chicago
    • Outstanding Choreography, Amy Carson
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Susan Devine
    • Outstanding Music Direction, Paul Nasto
  • Lady Windermere’s Fan
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Paul Morton
• Nominations (16)
  • Chicago
    • Outstanding Choreography, Amy Carson
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Susan Devine
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Jon Keeling as “Amos Hart”
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Andy Izquierdo as “Billy Flynn”
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Bethany Blakey as “Velma Kelly”
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Jordan Hougham as “Roxie Hart”
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Musical, Ken & Patti Crowley
    • Outstanding Music Direction, Paul Nasto
    • Outstanding Musical
    • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Betty Dolan & Leslie Reed
  • Lady Windermere’s Fan
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Kathy Dodson & Chris Macey
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Paul Morton
  • Nude With Violin
    • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Phillip Campbell & Patty Greksouk
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Russell Wyland
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Buffy Mechling
  • Play It Again, Sam
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Ken & Patti Crowley

Mclean Community Players

• Nominations (1)
  • Frost/Nixon
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play, Bob Sams as “Richard M. Nixon”

Montgomery Playhouse

• Awards (1)
  • Moonlight and Magnolias
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Dino P. Coppa as “David O. Selznick”
• Nominations (5)
  • An Ideal Husband
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Jessica C. Henry
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Jessica C. Henry
  • Antigone
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, William T. Fleming
  • Moonlight and Magnolias
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Dino P. Coppa as “David O. Selznick”
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, David Jones as “Ben Hecht”

Port Tobacco Players

• Awards (7)
  • Arsenic and Old Lace
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Heather Bauer
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Jeff Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Mary Thiedeman
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, John W. Kirby & John Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, John Merritt
  • The Producers
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Ronna Johnson
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Jimmy Payne as “Max”
• Nominations (29)
  • Arsenic and Old Lace
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Heather Bauer
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Theodore DeMarco-Logue
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Sarah Sandy
    • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Mary Thiedeman & Heather Bauer
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Jeff Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Mary Thiedeman
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, John W. Kirby & John Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, John Merritt
  • The Diary of Anne Frank
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, John Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Sarah A. Carlson & Jason Carlson
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Sarah A. Carlson
  • The Miracle Worker
    • Outstanding Stage Combat Choreography, Brian Donohue
  • The Producers
    • Outstanding Choreography, Brooke L. Howells
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Kira Sanders
    • Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Brooke L. Howells
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, Patrick Pruitt as “Franz”
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Ronna Johnson
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Jimmy Payne as “Max”
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Jessica Ramos
    • Outstanding Music Direction, James D. Watson
    • Outstanding Musical
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Musical, John Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Sarah A. Carlson & John Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical, John Merritt
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical – Sarah Carlson & John Merritt
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, James D. Watson
  • The Secret Garden
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical, Patricia M. Brennan & Cathy Compton
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Musical, Tessa N. Silvestro & Mary Thiedeman
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Kim Bessler & Heather Bauer

Prince George’s Little Theatre

• Awards (1)
  • Bye Bye, Birdie
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, TiaJuana Rountree as “Mrs. Mae Peterson”
• Nominations (2)
  • Arsenic and Old Lace
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Roy Hammond & Gayle Negri
  • Bye Bye, Birdie
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, TiaJuana Rountree as “Mrs. Mae Peterson”

Prince William Little Theatre

• Awards (1)
  • Frankenstein
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Julie Cameron
• Nominations (4)
  • Frankenstein
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Ken & Patti Crowley
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Julie Cameron
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Stan Harris
    • Outstanding Special Effects, Dave Warner, Bob Shon, Sarah Barlow, Ken & Patti Crowley

Providence Players

• Nominations (6)
  • Big Tree Falls
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Erin Finucane as “Amber”
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Addie Storvick as “Sherri”
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Beth Hughes-Brown as “Olive”
  • The Laramie Project
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, John Coscia as ” Sgt. Hing, Doc O’Connor, Dr. Cantway, Rev. Fred Phelps, Dennis Shepard “
  • Waiting in the Wings
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Robbie Snow
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Cheryl Sinsabaugh as “Deirdre”

Reston Community Players

• Awards (2)
  • The Trip to Bountiful
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Christopher Guy Thorn as “Roy/Ticket Agent”
  • Wonderful Town
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Richard Bird
• Nominations (13)
  • As You Like It
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Melissa Bailey as “Celia”
    • Outstanding Set Painting in a Play, Cathy Rieder
  • The Trip to Bountiful
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Christopher Guy Thorn as “Roy/Ticket Agent”
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Play, Richard Bird as “Sheriff/Ticket Agent”
    • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play, Irene Molnar
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Robin Zerbe as “Thelma”
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Adriana Hardy as “Carrie Watts”
    • Outstanding Light Design in a Play, Adam Konowe
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Play, Kat Brais
    • Outstanding Play
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Play, Kevin P. Garrett
  • Wonderful Town
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Jaclyn Young
    • Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical, Richard Bird

Rockville Musical Theatre

• Awards (1)
  • Evita
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Laura Gepford as “Mistress”
• Nominations (6)
  • Evita
    • Outstanding Cameo in a Musical, Laura Gepford as “Mistress”
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical, Malca Giblin
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Malca Giblin
  • Forever Plaid
    • Outstanding Properties in a Musical, Sonya Tavitian
  • The Pajama Game
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, John Loughney as “Sid Sorokin”
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Sonya Okin & Joel Richon

Silver Spring Stage

• Awards (2)
  • Rabbit Hole
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Audrey Cefaly as “Izzy”
    • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf, Sonya Okin & Bridget Muehlberger
• Nominations (13)
  • Private Lives
    • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Mary Dalto
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Ken Lee
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf
  • Pygmalion
    • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Pauline Griller-Mitchell
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, Maggie Skekel-Sledge
  • Rabbit Hole
    • Outstanding Direction of a Play, Chris Curtis
    • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Audrey Cefaly as “Izzy”
    • Outstanding Play
    • Outstanding Properties in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf, Sonya Okin & Bridget Muehlberger
    • Outstanding Set Construction in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf, Sonya Okin & Bridget Muehlberger
    • Outstanding Set Design in a Play, Andrew Greenleaf

St. Mark’s Players

• Nominations (1)
  • Two Gentlemen of Verona
    • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Rafael Cuesta as “Speed”

Taking Flight Theatre Company

• Awards (1)
  • Evil Dead: The Musical
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Christine Spata
• Nominations (3)
  • Evil Dead: The Musical
    • Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical, Christine Spata
    • Outstanding Set Decoration in a Musical, Shannon Khatcheressian
    • Outstanding Special Effects, Jeff Bender

Tantallon Community Players

• Nominations (3)
  • A Raisin in the Sun
    • Outstanding Hair Design in a Play, The Cast
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Lolita-Marie Clayton as “Ruth Younger”
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, Robin Dorsey as “Lena “Mama” Younger”

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a play in three acts by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. Sheridan Whiteside, writer, producer, critic, egomaniac, and all around pain in the rear, consents to have dinner with a typical American family when a fall causes him to become their guest for longer than expected. The wheelchair bound Whiteside attempts to function as best as he can while driving his staff, reporters, not to mention Mr. Stanley, to the brink of distraction. The play features many references to movie and radio personalities of the 30’s, which unfortunately are mostly missed or misunderstood by audience members.

The show worked pretty well in the small space at Laurel Mill Playhouse. The set of the Stanley’s living room by Designers Michael Hartsfield and Mark Allen was pretty well planned. Most of the props and set pieces were appropriate to the play’s period, although the modern wheelchair broke the spell, as were Kim Delk’s costumes.

Director Michael V. Hartsfield had a huge job on his hands with a cast of 25 actors playing 36 roles. The other spell breaker was the pacing, which at times was tedious. Rob Allen as Sheridan Whiteside was a larger-than-life character. Allen was appropriately booming the way he ordered everyone around. However Allen appeared at times to still be thinking about his lines and his delays contributed to the sluggish pace of the play. Whiteside is referred several times within the play as a gifted speaker, but Allen’s stumbling through the lines in several scenes was distracting.

The Stanley family (Dan Stacier as the frustrated Mr. Stanley and Maureen C. Rogers as his long-suffering wife), was sterotypical, yet the children (Daniel Schall and Dana Medford) had their own problems which were exacerbated by Whiteside’s avice.

Other members of the cast were quite enjoyable, despite their roles being very small. For instance, Dr. Bradley, played by Ed Higgins was hysterical, with the correct comedic pacing and was over the top for most of the show, a real joy to experience. Another fun experience was watching Lorraine Sheldon, a Hollywood star, played by Barbara Gasper, and Maggie Cutler, Whiteside’s personal assistant, played by Rosalie Daelmans, circle each other like cats ready to fight. Gasper exuded charm as she seduced poor Bert Jefferson (Joe Mariano). Mariano was human and unable to resist the flirtations of the wiley Sheldon. Mariano’s upright character happily triumphed in the end. As Maggie Cutler, Daelmans knew how to handle Whiteside and his temper. She also reacted well to what was going on around her and to the situation. Like Gasper, Daelmans could strike back and also had her own schemes to getting her man back from the clutches of the Hollywood star.

Other entertaining performers included Frank Mancino as the wily and excited Banjo, Becca Burton as underappreciated nurse Miss Preen, and Tom Schneider as Beverly Calton, Maggie’s partner-in-crime while she was plotting to get rid of Lorraine.

LMP’s The Man Who Came To Dinner was a funny production, with a few rough spots with lines that should improve as the show continues its four week run.

Photo Gallery

Rosalie Daelemans, Rob Allen, Maureen Rogers and Dan Stacier	Rob Allen and Rosalie Daelemans
Rob Allen and Marky Markowitz	Rosalie Daelemans and Tom Schneider
Hugh Downey, Maureen Rogers, Rob Allen and Dan Stacier	Rob Allen, Ed Higgins, Joe Mariano

Photo by John Cholod

Cast

• Mrs. Ernest W. Stanley: Maureen C. Rogers
• Miss Preen: Becca Burton
• Richar Stanley: Daniel Schall
• June Stanley: Dana Medford
• John: Marquis Evans
• Joan (John’s understudy): Julie Rogers (2/18 and 2/19)
• Sarah: Penny Martin
• Mrs. Dexter: Stephanie Carr
• Mrs. McCutcheon: Hillary Mazer
• Mr. Ernest Stanley: Dan Staicer
• Maggie Cutler: Rosalie Daelemans
• Dr. Bradley: Ed Higgins
• Sheridan Whiteside: Rob Allen
• Harriet Stanley: Marky Markowitz
• Bert Jefferson: Joe Mariano
• Professor Metz: Marilyn Ransom
• Michaelson (Convict 1): Bernie Noeller
• Henderson (Convict 2): Calvin DaSilva
• Convict 3: Morgan Delk
• Mr. Baker: Frank Mancino
• Expressman 1: Ali Vaughan-Nichols
• Lorraine Sheldon: Barbara Gasper
• Sandy: Calvin DaSilva
• Beverly Carlton: Tom Schneider
• Westcott: Hugh Downey
• Radio Technician: Lisa Wolfson
• Choir 1: Morgan Delk
• Choir 2: Ali Vaughan-Nichols
• Choir 3: Julie Rogers
• Choir 4: Hillary Mazer
• Choir 5: Marilyn Ransom
• Choir 6: Stephanie Carr
• Banjo: Frank Mancino
• Deputy 1: Calvin DaSilva
• Deputy 2: Morgan Delk
• A Plainclothesman: Bernie Noeller
• Expressman 2: Hugh Downey

Crew

• Director: Michael V. Hartsfield
• Producer: Maureen C. Rogers
• Stage Manager: Janet Olsen
• Light and Sound Operator: Jeanette Brown, Diana Simmons
• Set Design: Michael Hartsfield, Mark Allen
• Light/Sound Design: Michael Hartsfield
• Set Construction: Michael Harrtsfield, James Raymond
• Sarcophagus Construction: Calvin DaSilva and Joe DaSilva
• Set Painting/Set Dressing: Michael Hartsfield
• Costumes: Kim Delk, assisted by Maureen Rogers & Cast
• Hair/Make-up: Cast
• Properties: Michael Hartsfield, Janet Olsen, Tom Schneider, Cast
• Wheelchair and Sarcophagus: 2nd Star Productions and Rosalie Daelmans
• Christmas Tree: Penny Martin
• Poster/Program/Publicity: Maureen Rogers
• Head Shot Photos: Brian Binney
• Box Office Reservations & Concessions: Ray Black, Anne Marie Field, Maureen Rogers, Deian & Larry Simmons
• Webmaster: John Cholod

Disclaimer: Laurel Mill Playhouse provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.