2024 Season

47th Annual Carbonell Awards

This season’s awards ceremony was held on November 11, 2024, at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. The glittery event was produced by distinguished playwright, actor, and designer Michael McKeever and Stuart Meltzer, the founding artistic director of Zoetic Stage—both of whom have won multiple Carbonell Awards and previously produced and directed numerous Carbonell Ceremonies. Double 2023 Carbonell nominee Caryl Fantel returned as Music Director/Program Consultant.

Outstanding New Work, Play or Musical

  • Cuban Chicken Soup When There’s No More Cafe, by Elena Maria Garcia & Stuart Meltzer (Zoetic Stage)
  • Hoo Hah!, by Armando Santana (True Mirage Theater)
  • Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard, by Moisés Kaufman (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project) (Winner)
  • The Cancellation of Lauren Fein, by Christopher Demos-Brown (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
  • The Messenger, by Jenny Connell Davis (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
  • Wicked Child, by David Rosenberg (Zoetic Stage)

Outstanding Production, Play 

  • A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre) 
  • Clyde’s (Zoetic Stage)
  • Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Old Wicked Songs (GableStage)
  • The Lehman Trilogy (GableStage) (Winner)

Outstanding Direction, Play 

  • Peter Amster, Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)    
  • Moisés Kaufman, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project) (Winner)
  • William Hayes, Trying (Palm Beach Dramaworks)       
  • Jon Marans, Old Wicked Songs (GableStage)   
  • Stuart Meltzer, Wicked Child (Zoetic Stage)
  • Bari Newport, The Lehman Trilogy (GableStage)       

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Play

  • Ryan Didato, Daniel’s Husband (Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton!)
  • Mark H. Dold, The Lehman Trilogy (GableStage)
  • Christian McGaffney, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • Brandon Morris, The Lehman Trilogy (GableStage)
  • Gabriell Salgado, Clyde’s (Zoetic Stage) (Winner)
  • James Zannelli, The Lehman Trilogy (GableStage)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Play

  • Elizabeth Dimon, Rooted (Theatre Lab)
  • Jeni Hacker, Wicked Child (Zoetic Stage) (Winner)
  • Sidney Presendieu, Clyde’s (Zoetic Stage)
  • Barbara Sloan, Daniel’s Husband (Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton!)
  • Karen Stephens, Clyde’s (Zoetic Stage)
  • Laura Turnbull, A Rock Sails By (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Play

  • Jovon Jacobs, Dangerous Days (Miami New Drama)
  • Roberto Jaramillo, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • Wayne LeGette, Wicked Child (Zoetic Stage)
  • Bruce Linser, A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Michael McKeever, Wicked Child (Zoetic Stage) (Winner)
  • Orlando Urdaneta, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Play

  • Gracie Blu, Wicked Child (Zoetic Stage)
  • Lela Elam, A Rock Sails By (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
  • Elba Escobar, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • Gretchen Porro, Rooted (Theatre Lab)
  • Mariaca Semprún, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project) (Winner)
  • Laura Turnbull, Rooted (Theatre Lab)

Outstanding Production, Musical 

  • Fiddler on the Roof (The Wick Theatre)
  • 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • I Love a Piano (The Wick Theatre)
  • Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company) (Winner)
  • The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)

Outstanding Direction, Musical 

  • Patrick Fitzwater, Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company) 
  • Patrick Fitzwater, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company) (Winner)         
  • Patrick Fitzwater, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Norb Joerder, Fiddler on the Roof (The Wick Theatre)
  • Giancarlo Rodaz, Oliver! (Area Stage)       
  • Jennifer Werner, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)    

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Musical

  • Jeremy Benton, Bye Bye Birdie (The Wick Theatre)
  • Jackson Goad, A Shonda (Ronnie Larsen Presents/Plays of Wilton!)
  • Anthony Llerandi, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Christian Probst, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
    Nate Promkul, The Little Mermaid     (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Bruce Sabath, Fiddler on the Roof (The Wick Theatre) (Winner)

    Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Musical
  • Aaron Bower, I Love a Piano (The Wick Theatre)
  • Melanie Fernandez, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company) (Winner)
  • Patti Gardner, Fiddler on the Roof (The Wick Theatre)
  • Jeni Hacker, Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Taylor Quick, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Leah Sessa, Bye Bye Birdie (The Wick Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Musical

  • Matthew J. Brightbill, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Marc Christopher, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company) (Winner)
  • Avi Hoffman, Cabaret (Zoetic Stage)
  • Brian Kimowski, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Michael Dean Morgan, Legally Blonde the Musical (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
  • Ben Sandomir, Bye Bye Birdie (The Wick Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Musical

  • Katie Duerr, Oliver! (Area Stage)
  • Heather Jane Rolff, Legally Blonde the Musical (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
  • Heather Jane Rolff, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company) (Winner)
  • Ally Rosenblum, Hello Dolly! (Broadway at LPAC)
    Hana Slevin, Legally Blonde the Musical     (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
  • Laura Turnbull, Cabaret (Zoetic Stage)

Outstanding Music Direction

  • Wilkie Ferguson, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Bruce Linser, A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • James Mablin, Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Eden Marte, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Michael Ursua, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre) (Winner)
  • Michael Ursua, I Love a Piano (The Wick Theatre)

Outstanding Choreography

  • Cat Pagano, Bye Bye Birdie (The Wick Theatre)
  • Kristyn Pope, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
    Nicolette Quintero, The Little Mermaid     (Slow Burn Theatre Company) (Winner)
  • Reynel Reynaldo, The Prom (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Reynel Reynaldo, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • D.J. Salisbury, I Love a Piano (The Wick Theatre)

Outstanding Scenic Design, Play, or Musical

  • Jodi Dellaventura & Natalie Taveras, Clyde’s (Zoetic Stage)
  • Paul Tate Depoo III, Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre) (Winner)
  • Timothy S. Dickey, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Derek McLane, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • Bert Scott, Trying (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
  • Kelly Tighe, Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company)

Outstanding Lighting Design, Play or Musical

  • Alejandro Fajardo & Ben Stanton, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • David Lander, Two Sisters and a Piano (Miami New Drama)
  • James E. Lawlor III, Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre) (Winner)
  • Jose Santiago, A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Clifford Spulock, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Clifford Spulock, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)

Outstanding Sound Design, Play or Musical

  • Matt Corey, Clyde’s (Zoetic Stage)
  • Patrick Fitzwater, The Little Mermaid (Slow Burn Theatre)
  • Salomon Lemer, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)
  • Matthew Parker, Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Fitz Patton, A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Scott Stauffer, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Maltz Jupiter Theatre) (Winner)

Outstanding Costume Design, Play or Musical

  • Tracy Dorman, Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Rick Peña, Into the Woods (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Rick Peña, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Ellis Tillman, I Love a Piano (The Wick Theatre) (Winner)
  • Gema Valdes, Old Wicked Songs (GableStage)
  • Evelyn Villegas, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard (Miami New Drama & Tectonic Theater Project)

Outstanding Achievement of an Artistic Specialty

  • Zak Borovay for Projection Design, A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre) (Winner)
  • Ian Coulter-Buford for Dance Captain, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
    Greg Emetaz     for Projections, Murder on the Orient Express (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
  • Jamie Godwin for Projection Design, The Lehman Trilogy (GableStage)
  • Tyler Johnson Grimes for Foley Artist, The SpongeBob Musical (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
  • Nathan W. Scheuer for Projection Design, 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)

More than 89 productions at more than 30 different theatres were evaluated by a diverse group of 47 experienced judges representing all three counties.