By Carol Davis
LA JOLLA, California — The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle threw a huge party Feb. 6 for the theatre community to celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments of San Diego County’s local theatre heroes. This is the tenth year we have been at it and every year it gets better and better.
Named for his powerhouse influence on San Diego Theatre, the tenth Annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence took place at the Museum of Contemporary Arts; San Diego in La Jolla and went on almost without a hitch. Our award winner for Actor of the Year, Brian Mackey, was home flat on back nursing a flu bug! When he wasn’t seen at the theatre by curtain time, panic set in. But not to worry, ion theatre producer and friend Claudio Raygoza, phoned him up, got him out of bed and relayed the good news to the ailing Mackey while the entire house of over four hundred fifty or so guests listened in. It was a magical moment among the many highlights that filled the evening.
In another exciting moment, thirteen-year-old Lucia Vecchio was named Outstanding Young Artist for her stirring and moving portrayal of Anna Frank in the Onstage Playhouse production of The Diary of Anne Frank. She received the Sandra Ellis –Troy Memorial Scholarship to assist her further development as a theatre artist.
On another note our dear friend, fellow critic and founding member Don Braunagel passed away in 2011. In his memory, the Don Braunagel Award, a cash prize for Outstanding Work by a small theatre (no more than 200 seats) was initiated by his loving wife, Yolanda, and presented to ion theatre, for its production of Tony Kushner’s two part Angels in America. Braunagel covered theatre for over thirty years in San Diego and was one of its biggest fans. In a fitting nod to small theatres, any and all funds received will be put to good use.
The evening brought three different film and video clips that included tributes of past honorees and a memorial slide show. We went back to our roots in the first, celebrated our Broadway ties in the second and recognized our own local legends in the final segment.
Randall Hickman and his life partner Douglas Davis entertained with their rendition of “ You’re Timeless To Me” from Hairspray, the musical they starred in at Moonlight Amphitheatre this past summer.
Food provided by MCASD, Giuseppe’s Fine Dining was overflowing and delicious. Before the ceremony took place guests had time to nosh and socialize. Gourmet coffees, desserts, congratulations and hugs were the order of the night for the guests after the ceremonies concluded. A good time was had by all.
Below is the full listing of Recipients of the 2011 Craig Noel Awards:
Outstanding Dramatic Production
August: Osage County, The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Sam Gold, August: Osage County, The Old Globe
Outstanding Ensemble
August: Osage County, The Old Globe
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male
Manny Fernandes, Of Mice and Men, New Village Arts Theatre
Robert Foxworth, Superior Donuts, San Diego REPertory Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Female
Lois Markle, August: Osage County, The Old Globe
Rosina Reynolds, The Glass Menagerie, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Female
Catalina Maynard, Angels in America, ion theatre
Diona Reasonover, Stick Fly, Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Male
David Ellenstein, My Name is Asher Lev, North Coast Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Touring Production
Jesus Christ Superstar, La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding New Play
Kirsten Greenidge, Milk Like Sugar, La Jolla Playhouse
Actor of the Year
Brian Mackey
Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Work at a Small Theater
ion theatre for Angels in America
Outstanding Resident Musical
Jane Austen’s Emma, The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Sean Murray, Cabaret, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female
Linda Libby, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, ion Theatre
Karson St. John, Cabaret, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Male
B. Slade, The Who’s Tommy, San Diego REPertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male
Randall Hickman, Hairspray, Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
Katie Whalley, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, ion Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction
Steve Gunderson, The Who’s Tommy, San Diego REPertory Theatre
Outstanding Choreography
David Brannen, Cabaret, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Music for a Play
Shaun Davey, The Tempest, The Old Globe
Outstanding Sound Design
Melanie Chen, Angels in America, ion Theatre
Deborah Gilmour Smyth, The Book of the Dun Cow, Lamb’s Players Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Jennifer Brawn Gittings, In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) San Diego REPertory Theatre
Jeanne Reith, The Servant of Two Masters, Lamb’s Players Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
Michael Gilliam, Jane Austen’s Emma, The Old Globe
Karen Filijan, Angels in America, ion Theatre
Outstanding Set Design
Tobin Ost, Jane Austen’s Emma, The Old Globe
Outstanding Young Artist/Sandra Ellis-Troy Scholarship
Lucia Vecchio, The Diary of Anne Frank, Onstage Playhouse
Outstanding Special Event
Susurrus, La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Projection Design
Peter Nigrini, Sleeping Beauty Wakes, La Jolla Playhouse
*For more detailed information and photos visit our site at: www. Sdcriticscircle.org and our Facebook page: San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, as well.
Hopefully you had a chance to see at least half of the plays mentioned.
See you at the theatre.
*
Davis is a San Diego-based theatre critic who may be contacted at carol.davis@sdjewishworld.com