Post-Standard
Wednesday, March 4, 2009

And the Nominees Are ...

By Joan E. Vadeboncoeur

Entertainment columnist

It has been 35 years since Arthur Storch came to Syracuse to launch a professional theater. When the sixth annual Syracuse Area Live Theater Awards are presented next month, the founding director of Syracuse Stage may be honored for his efforts.

Storch, who led Stage until the early 1990s, is nominated for the Hall of Fame Award, given to someone no longer active in local theater. His competitors for SALT honors are Barbara Gibbons, Holly Wilson, Kevin Surrette and Earl Colvin.

The nominations were announced today.

More than two dozen awards will be presented April 26 at Stage's Archbold Theater in the event sponsored by the Syracuse New Times.

The event begins at 5:45 p.m. with a pre-awards party in the Archbold's lobby. Ceremonies start at 7 p.m., and a post-awards party is slated for 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the New Times building, 1415 W. Genesee St., Syracuse; $17 by mail; $20 at the door. For more information, call 422-7011.

Professional theater

  • Play of the year: "The Bomb-itty of Errors," "Doubt," "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "Souvenir."

  • Director of the year: Tim Bond, Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Robert Moss, Anthony Salatino, M. Burke Walker.

    Community theater

  • Play of the year: "Agnes of God," "Dog Sees God," "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," "Safe Sex," "Three Viewings."

  • Musical of the year: "Bath House: The Musical," "Children's Letters to God," "Side by Side by Sondheim," "Sweeney Todd," "The Producers."

  • Leading actress in a musical: Jodie Baum in "Sweeney Todd," Elizabeth Abriola Fern in "Side by Side by Sondheim," Katie Lemos in "The Producers," Cathleen O'Brien in "Side by Side by Sondheim."

  • Supporting actress in a musical: Lorraine Grande in "Bye, Bye Birdie," Tina Lee in "Sweeney Todd," Danielle Lovier in "High School Musical," Sarah Naughton in "Sweeney Todd."

  • Leading actor in a musical: Ryan Boyle in "The Producers," Josh Mele in "Sweeney Todd," Dana Sovocool in "Side by Side by Sondheim," Joe Spado in "The Producers," Jimmy Wachter in "Color Me Streisand."

  • Supporting actor in a musical: Alec Funiciello in "Children's Letters to God," Andrew King in "Sweeney Todd," Dan Tursi in "The Producers," Jimmy Wachter in "The Producers," David Witanowski in "The Producers."

  • Leading actress in a play: Binaifer Dabu in "Plaza Suite," Kate Huddleston in "Agnes of God," Rosemary Palladino-Leone in "Three Viewings," Aubrey Panek in "The Eight Reindeer Monologues," Karis Wiggins in "Agnes of God."

  • Supporting actress in a play: Jodie Baum in "Dog Sees God," Susan Blumer in "The Importance of Being Earnest," Jodi Bova in "The Eight Reindeer Monologues," Katharine Gibson in "Agnes of God," Erin Race in "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940."

  • Leading actor in a play: Garrett Heater in "The Importance of Being Earnest," Tom Minion in "Romance," Bill Molesky in "The Importance of Being Earnest," Gennaro Parlato in "The Eight Reindeer Monologues."

  • Supporting actor in a play: J. Brazil in "The Eight Reindeer Monologues," Rob Fonda in "Dog Sees God," Lanny Freshman in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," Alan Stillman in "Dracula," Alan Stillman in "Romance."

  • Director of the year/play: Judith Harris, Garrett Heater, John Nara, Dan Tursi.

  • Director of the year/musical: Christine Lightcap, David Lowenstein, Dan Tursi, David Witanowski.

  • Musical director of the year: Jon Balcourt, Nadine Cole, Roy George, Sarah Pickett.

  • Nonperforming person of the year: Navroz Dabu, Marie Felice, Neil Novelli, Karen Procopio, Jeanette Reyner.

    Summer season

  • Production of the season: "A Few Good Men," "All Shook Up," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "Les Miserables," "Playboy of the Western World," "Souvenir."

  • Actress of the season: Patricia Dell in "Souvenir," Noel Molinelli in "All Shook Up," Maureen Quigley in "Church Basement Ladies," Morgan Reis in "Leading Ladies."

  • Actor of the season: Aaron Berk in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," David Sattler in "All Shook Up," Jonathan Self in "A Few Good Men," Scott Wakefield in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," Tad Wilson in "Les Miserables."

    Other awards

  • Lifetime achievement (currently active): Todd Ellis, Kate Huddleston, Millie Sovik, Dan Tursi.

  • Hall of fame (no longer active): Earl Colvin, Barbara Gibbons, Arthur Storch, Kevin Surrette, Holly Wilson.

  • Choreographer of the year: Caira Cramer, "High School Musical," Michael Groesbeck, "The Producers," Ken Prescott, "Nunsensations," Shannon Tompkins, "Sweeney Todd."

  • Costumer of the year: Garrett Heater, "The Importance of Being Earnest," Niki Raymond, "Safe Sex," Jeanette Reyner, "The Producers," Barbara Toman, "Communicating Doors."

  • Best original new production: "Color Me Streisand," "Love With a Twist," "Tales From the Salt City," "The Blue Vein Society," "Tony & The Soprano."