By Eric George Tauber
SAN DIEGO — It’s the time of year for awards ceremonies: Oscars, Grammys, Tonys, Golden Globes… etc. But for me, the one not to be missed is the annual Craig Noel Awards hosted by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. This event celebrates the excellence that happens in our own vibrant theater community.
Year after year, actors put themselves out there at auditions, hoping to be accepted, but more often rejected. When they do get the job, they have to sweat like racehorses in stuffy rehearsal rooms, jostle for mirror space and quickly change in and out of costumes with little to no privacy. If the show travels, you spend hours on the road and live out of a suitcase, bedding down in accommodations that ain’t exactly the Ritz.
Meanwhile, designers are drawing away in cramped, cluttered offices, trying to come up with innovative and workable ways to realize the world of the story. Carpenters hammer and saw away, constructing that temporary world and costumers sit hunched over sewing machines. Costumes that look period perfect are actually fastened with snaps and Velcro for those quick changes in the wings. That’s the day-to-day drudgery of life in the theater.
But for one night of the year, we get all dressed up for our night to shine. We wait with breathless anticipation, hoping to hear our names among the nominees, then applaud graciously when they’re not. Winners try to sound poised and humble as they give their thanks, trying not to faint.
Personally, I have no skin in the game over who wins and who doesn’t. I just love to be there, celebrating the industry I love with people I admire. Rather than give the full list of who won what, I’ll just share a few highlights.
There’s always one show that really cleans up. This year, that show was the Irish musical Once produced by the Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado. Nominated for six awards, they took home five: Outstanding Musical Direction, Scenic Design, Female Lead Performance in a Musical, Outstanding Residential Musical and Outstanding Ensemble.
Another show that came away with four awards was A Thousand Splendid Suns at the Old Globe. This was a searing drama about life in Afghanistan from the point of view of two women in a violently male dominated society. While the story was heartbreaking, the artists were overjoyed when they were recognized for their Outstanding Direction, Scenic Design, Lighting Design and Dramatic Production.
But it’s not just a night for the larger houses. The Roustabouts were recognized for Outstanding Work by a Small Theater Company. These are the folks who brought us Phil Johnson’s one-person show, A Jewish Joke about a 1950s comedy writer who finds himself on the wrong side of McCarthy during the Red Scare. Phil said during his spiel, “We wanted to see if there was a platform for new work. Clearly, there is. Keep it coming.”
When actor Joy Yvonne Jones was recognized for her role in Voyeurs de Venus at the Moxie, she held her head high with a potent message: “We have the power to give a voice to the voiceless and we cannot be silent.” Amen to that.
Kevin Hafso-Koppman went home with Male Actor of the Year. Kevin is a young man that I’ve known since he was twelve. I have a better talent for spotting talent than actually having talent. That’s why I’m a critic. And I remember spotting young Kevin and thinking that this kid really sparkled.
It’s always delightful to see the child actors dressed up like young ladies and gentlemen. This year’s Young Artist to receive the Sandra Ellis-Troy Scholarship was Noah Baird for his performance in Newsies at Moonlight Stage Productions. With rosy cheeks and a hairless chin, this child received his award with greater aplomb than some of the adults. The next day, I told my own drama students about him. He’s not in theater because he’s naturally poised. He’s poised because he’s in theater. Those are the skills we’re learning. That’s what we’re doing here.
So here’s to another year of great theater in our wonderfully active, diverse and vibrant community. I’ll keep you posted on the goings on as well as I can, but it’s up to you to buy the tickets.
*
Tauber is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com