THE AWARDS
"Floyd Collins," "Blood Brothers"
and new play-with music
"Constant Star"
Plus "Aida" and "The Lion King"
Top 28th Annual Carbonell Awards
Winners: Shores Performing Arts Theatre artistic director Rich Simone (center) at the Broward Center after the ceremony with Irene Adjan (left), Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for "Blood Brothers," and Laura Turnbull (right), Best Actress in a Musical ("Blood Brothers") and Best Actress in a Play ("Crimes of the Heart"), both at the Shores. Both productions were directed by Simone. Photo by Jack Meier.
FORT LAUDERDALE [Nov. 10, 2003] -- "Floyd Collins" struggled in vain for an audience at the
Actors' Playhouse in Miami last season but won vindication at the 28th
Annual Carbonell Awards Monday
night with seven awards
including Best Musical,
Best
Director for David Arisco and Best Actor for Tally Sessions.
Other top honorees included the Shores Performing Arts Theatre revival of the musical "Blood Brothers," The Caldwell Theatre Company's production of "Fortune's Fool" and Tazewell Thompson's play-with-music "Constant Star" at the Florida Stage.
"Aida's" Paulette Ivory sings
"Easy As Life" at Broward Center
"For everyone who said this is a box office risk you were right," Executive Producer Barbara Stein said at the evening's climax, accepting the "Floyd Collins" Best Musical award. "People will come to understand plays like these and, little by little, we'll cultivate them into appreciating other kinds of theater, not just mainstream theater."
The 28th annual awards at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Fort Lauderdale featured appearances by Rupert Holmes, Kate Mulgrew, David Cassidy, the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, and a production number set to "Fame" by The Jean Ann Ryan Singers & Dancers, with a full company headed by an adagio team and vocalists.
Paulette Ivory,
star of Disney's recent touring production of "Aida," was named Best
Actress in the non-resident category. Ivory flew in from L.A. and wowed
the house with a performance of "Easy As Life" from the show. Jumbotron
video and taped responses were heard from Ivory's costar Jeremy Kushnier,
chosen best actor, and for "Lion King," chosen Best Production, and Julie
Taymor Best
Director.
Rupert Holmes at the podium
and on the Jumbotron
Playwright Nilo Cruz flew in from previews of "Anna In The Tropics" (opening on Broadway Nov. 16) to receive a special achievement award along with New Theatre director Rafael de Acha, who commissioned the play, which had its world premiere in Miami's tony suburb of Coral Gables last autumn. Cruz reiterated his comments after winning the Pulitzer Prize and American Theatre Critics/Steinberg Awards, thanking judges for recognizing Hispanic voice in the theater.
Cruz said "A great poet said one cannot know a country without knowing its literature. I feel like that by honoring me tonight here, you're making my work, words, characters be a part of literature."
"Anna" was released from the Best New Work category, recognizing the precedent-setting Pulitzer and ATCA/Steinberg recognition. From a full field of five other new works, young Miami playwright Ivonne Azurdia won Best New Work for "Tin Box Boomerang," an introspective drama about trailer trash. The show was mounted by the shoestring Mad Cat Theatre Company at the Miami Light Project, an arts umbrella organization that promotes new work in a variety of disciplines.
Miami Light Project executive and artistic director Elizabeth Boone was also presented with the program's Howard Kleinberg Award, a career achievement honor, for encouraging grassroots new work in South Florida's multicultural community.
GO TO COMPLETE STORY ON SPECIAL AWARDS
Laura Turnbull set a landmark in the awards' history as the first person
to win the top acting prizes for performances in both a play and a
musical. Nominated for three roles, Turnbull was honored for her anguished
mother in Willy Russell's musical "Blood Brothers" and for the most
introverted of the quirky MaGrath sisters in Beth Henley's play "Crimes of
the Heart" -- both produced by the up-and-coming Shores Performing Arts
Theater in Miami Shores.
"You got bookends," said Shores Artistic Director Rich Simone.
John Paul Almon won for Best Supporting Actor in a musical for the world premiere of "Romeo & Bernadette" at Miami's Coconut Grove Playhouse. Almon and co-nominees Natalie Hill and Andy Karl jetted in on hopes for the show (which transferred to the Paper Mill in New Jersey). At the podium, Almon said that he realized while reading the program at the start of the show that he and Turnbull appeared together in a production of "Peter Pan" in Denver 20 years ago. The duo held a reunion at the post-show party.
For guest star Holmes, the event marked the return to the stage where his Tony-nominated "Say Goodnight, Gracie" had its world premiere in the fall of 2000. The show won that year's Best New Work Award. Holmes hosted several key segments of the show--and had the mostly-showbusiness crowd singing along with a rendition of his vintage hit "Escape" (The Pina Colada Song) at the ceremony's mid-point.
The show was backed musically by a 10-piece Peter Graves Orchestra. Musical director Graves, president of Miami's AFM local, is also the bandleader whose "Word of Mouth 2" CD, a tribute to late jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, has been on the top 10 jazz charts the past several weeks.
David Cassidy flew to his recently-adopted Fort Lauderdale home from London to present with Kate Mulgrew, who is reprising "Tea At Five" in a sit-down appearance through Jan. 25 at the Cuillo Centre in West Palm Beach. The duo bandied over the teleprompter during Best Actor and Actress presentations.
Boca Raton's Caldwell Theater took two awards for the Turgenev comedy
"Fortune's Fool," best actor award for area favorite John Felix and best
director for Michael Hall.
Nearby Florida Stage in another Palm Beach suburb won best ensemble as
well as best play for "Constant Star," Tazewell Thompson's stirring play
with music in which five actress-singers simultaneously portrayed
African-American reformer Ida B. Wells.
The 28th Annual
Carbonell Award Honorees:
Special Awards
Special achievement award: Playwright Nilo Cruz and the New Theatre in Coral Gables for the world premiere production of "Anna in the Tropics"
George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts: Arts patrons and leaders Alex W. Dreyfoos, Carl L. Mayhue and Robert B. Lochie, Jr., leaders in the development of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Arts (West Palm Beach) and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (Fort Lauderdale).
Howard Kleinberg Award: Elizabeth Boone, artistic and executive director of the Miami Light Project.
Ruth Foreman Award: Dorothy Willis, president and producer of Tamarac's White-Willis Theatre company.
Bill Hindman Award: David Kwiat, actor and theater professor
Non-Resident Theater Awards
Best Production: The Lion King, Disney Theatricals, presented by Clear Channel Entertainment, Broadway In South Florida Series, Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Best Director: Julie Taymor, The Lion King.
Best Actress: Paulette Ivory, Aida, Disney Theatricals, presented by Clear Channel Entertainment, Broadway in South Florida Series, Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Best Actor: Jeremy
Kushnier, Aida.
Resident Theater Awards
Best New Work (play or musical) (award to author) (resident & non-resident productions eligible): “The Last Schwartz,” by Deborah Zoe Laufer, Florida Stage; “Open Season,” by Michael McKeever, Hollywood Playhouse; “Romeo & Bernadette,” by Mark Saltzman, Coconut Grove Playhouse ; W: “Tin Box Boomerang,” by Ivonne Azurdia, Mad Cat Theatre Company ; “A Town Like Irving,” by Michael McKeever, New Theatre
Best Ensemble Production (play or musical) (award to company, recognition to director/cast): W: “Constant Star,” Florida Stage; “Menopause the Musical,” Glist Productions at the Broward Stage Door 26th St. Theatre ; “Summer Shorts,” City Theatre ; “Three Tall Women,” Public Theatre; “A Town Like Irving,” New Theatre
PLAYS
Best Production of a Play (award to producer): W: “Constant Star,” Florida Stage; “Crimes of the Heart,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre ; “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company; “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” GableStage; “The Last Schwartz,” Florida Stage
Best Director/Play: Joseph Adler, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” GableStage; W: Michael Hall, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company; Richard J. Simon, “A Shayna Maidel,” Mosaic Theatre Company; Rich Simone, “Crimes of the Heart,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Tazewell Thompson, “Constant Star,” Florida Stage
Best Actor/Play: Meshaun Arnold, “Medal of Honor Rag,” M Ensemble Company; W: John Felix, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company; Avi Hoffman, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” GableStage; Gordon McConnell, “The Guys,” GableStage; Anthony Sacco, “The Food Chain,” Mosaic Theatre Company
Best Actress/Play: Lisa Bansavage, “Master Class,” Caldwell Theatre Company; Jennifer Lehr, “Diary of Anne Frank,” GableStage ; Laura Turnbull, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” GableStage; W: Laura Turnbull, “Crimes of the Heart,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Claire Tyler, “Comic Potential,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Best Supporting Actor/Play: Peter Haig, “Diary of Anne Frank,” GableStage ; Terrell Hardcastle, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company; W: David Kwiat, “Dirty Blonde,” GableStage; Michael Vines, “Tabletop,” GableStage; Geoffrey Wade, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company
Best Supporting Actress/Play: Kimberly Daniel, “Credeaux Canvas,” New Theatre; W: Mayhill Fowler, “The Last Schwartz,” Florida Stage; Sandra Ives, “Crimes of the Heart,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Lanie MacEwan, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company; Lisa Morgan, “Sherlock’s Last Case,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
MUSICALS
Best Production of a Musical (award to producer): “The Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre ; “Blood Brothers,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; W: “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; “Parade,” Broward Stage Door Theatre ; “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse
Best Director/Musical: W: David Arisco, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; David Arisco, “The Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Dan Kelley, “Parade,” Broward Stage Door Theatre; Rich Simone, “Blood Brothers,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Mark Waldrop, “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse
Best Actor/Musical: Ken Clement, “The Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Andy Karl, “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse ; Robert Koutras, “Parade,” Broward Stage Door Theatre; Gary Marachek, “The Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; W: Tally Sessions, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Best Actress/Musical: Natalie Hill, “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse; Jennifer Hughes, “Sound of Music,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Margot Moreland, “Zombie Prom,” The Acting Studio, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts ; W: Laura Turnbull, “Blood Brothers,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Vicki White, “Parade,” Broward Stage Door Theatre
Best Supporting Actor/Musical: W: John Paul Almon, “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse; Nicholas Richberg, “Blood Brothers,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Brian Charles Rooney, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Shane Tanner, “Parade,” Broward Stage Door Theatre; Michael Turner, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Best Supporting Actress/Musical: W: Irene Adjan, “Blood Brothers,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre; Carole Cortland, “A New Brain,” Mosaic Theatre Company; Blythe Gruda, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Sandra Ives, “Sound of Music,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre ; Lourelene Snedeker, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Musical Direction: W: Eric Alsford, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Bruce Coyle, “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse ; David Halladay, “Constant Star,” Florida Stage (play with music) ; Michael Larsen, “A New Brain,” Mosaic Theatre Company; David Nagy, “The Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Choreography/Musical: Chrissi Ardito, “Sophisticated Ladies,” Broward Stage Door Theatre; Barbara Flaten, “Sound of Music,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Barbara Flaten, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre ; Ray Roderick, “I Love a Piano,” Florida Stage; W: Reggie Whitehead, “Zombie Prom,” The Acting Studio, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
DESIGN
Best Scenic Design: Tim Bennett, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company; Kent Goetz, “Constant Star,” Florida Stage ; Gene Seyffer, “Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; W: Gene Seyffer, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Klara Zieglerova, “Bach at Leipzig,” Florida Stage
Best Lighting Design: Richard Crowell, “I Love a Piano,” Florida Stage; Mike Martin, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” GableStage ; Jeff Quinn, “Diary of Anne Frank,” GableStage; W: Stuart Reiter, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Thomas Salzman, “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company
Best Costume Design: W: Mary Lynne Izzo, “Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Mary Lynne Izzo, “Comic Potential,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Suzette Pare, “Bach at Leipzig,” Florida Stage ; Estela Vrancovich, “The Countess,” Caldwell Theatre Company; Merrily Murray Walsh, “Constant Star,” Florida Stage
Best Sound Design: Matt Briganti Kelly, “Bach at Leipzig,” Florida Stage; W: Nate Rausch, “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre; Anthony Reimer, “Othello,” New Theatre; Michael J. Hoffman, “Diary of Anne Frank,” GableStage; Steve Shapiro, “Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
NOMINATIONS ANALYSIS
By show: 34 productions
12 “Floyd Collins,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
9 “Fortune’s Fool,” Caldwell Theatre Company
8 “The Big Bang,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
7 “Romeo & Bernadette,” Coconut Grove Playhouse
6 “Constant Star,” Florida Stage
5 “Blood Brothers,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre
5 “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
5 “Parade,” Broward Stage Door Theatre
4 “Crimes of the Heart,” Shores Performing Arts Theatre
4 “Diary of Anne Frank,” GableStage
3 “Bach at Leipzig,” Florida Stage
3 “The Last Schwartz,” Florida Stage
3 “The Sound of Music,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
2 “I Love a Piano,” Florida Stage
2 “A New Brain,” Mosaic Theatre Company
2 “Comic Potential,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
2 “A Town Like Irving,” New Theatre
2 “Zombie Prom,” The Acting Studio, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
1 “The Credeaux Canvas,” New Theatre
1 “Dirty Blonde,” GableStage
1 “The Food Chain,” Mosaic Theatre Company
1 “The Guys,” GableStage
1 “Master Class,” Caldwell Theatre Company
1 “Medal of Honor Rag,” M Ensemble Company
1 “Menopause: The Musical,” Broward Stage Door Theatre
1 “Open Season,” Hollywood Playhouse
1 “Othello,” New Theatre
1 “A Shayna Maidel,” Mosaic Theatre Company
1 “Sherlock’s Last Case,” The Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
1 “Sophisticated Ladies,” Broward Stage Door Theatre
1 “Summer Shorts,” City Theatre
1 “Tabletop,” GableStage
1 “Three Tall Women,” Public Theatre
1 “Tin Box Boomerang,” Mad Cat Theatre Company
By theater: 15 companies
Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre: 26
Florida Stage: 14
GableStage: 12
Caldwell Theatre Company: 10
Shores Performing Arts Theatre: 9
Coconut Grove Playhouse: 7
Broward Stage Door Theatre: 6
New Theatre: 4
Mosaic Theatre: 4
Acting Studio, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts: 2
City Theatre: 1
Glist Productions, at the Broward Stage Door’s 26th St. Theatre
Hollywood Playhouse: 1
Mad Cat Theatre Company: 1
M Ensemble Company: 1
Public Theatre: 1
By County:
Miami-Dade: 61
Palm Beach: 24
Broward (Fort Lauderdale): 15