The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has nominated 60 theater artists for recognition of their outstanding work in 46 productions presented during the 2008-2009 New York theater season. The awards will be presented at a luncheon to be held late this fall.
These annual awards honor designers for work in venues on Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway, recognizing not only the traditional categories of scenic design, costume design and lighting design, but also "Notable Effects," which encompass sound, music, video, puppetry and other creative elements. All nominated designs must have originated in United States productions. The Hewes Awards Committee considered more than 200 productions when making its nominations.
The Broadway production of Shrek received five nominations. The revival of Guys and Dolls and 33 Variations received four nominations each; Soho Rep's production of Blasted received three nominations. Ten other productions received two nominations each. Shrek designer Tim Hatley received nominations for scenic design, costumes and notable effects (puppetry). Nine other artists each received a pair of nominations.
Originally known as the Maharam Awards at their inception in 1965, the Hewes Awards were later known as the American Theatre Wing Design Awards in honor of the Wing's generous sponsorship. They were renamed in 1999 for noted critic Henry Hewes, who created the awards and served as a board member of the American Theatre Wing until his death in 2006 at age 89.
The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee includes theater critics Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, chair; Dan Bacalzo; David Barbour; David Cote; Glenda Frank; Mario Fratti; and Joan Ungaro.
2008 HENRY HEWES DESIGN AWARD NOMINEES
Scenic Design
John Lee Beatty Accent on Youth
Beowulf Boritt The Toxic Avenger
Robert Brill Guys and Dolls
David Gallo reasons to be pretty
Roger Hanna The Glass Cage
Tim Hatley Shrek
David Korins Stunning
David Korins Why Torture Is Wrong
Santo Loquasto A Man for All Seasons
John McDermott The Singing Forest
Derek McLane Ruined
Derek McLane 33 Variations
Peter Meineck Catch 22
Scott Pask 9 to 5
Neil Patel This Beautiful City
Tom Pye All My Sons
Jenny Rogers Wickets
Walt Spangler Desire Under the Elms
Louisa Thompson Blasted
Tony Walton A Tale of Two Cities
Mark Wendland Boys' Life
Costume Design
Marina Draghici Fela
Tim Hatley Shrek
Gregory Gale Rock of Ages
Gregory Gale The Third Story
Jane Greenwood Accent on Youth
Toni-Leslie James Wig Out!
William Ivey Long 9 to 5
Carrie Robbins White Christmas
Michael McDonald Hair
Martin Pakledinaz Blithe Spirit
Clint Ramos Women Beware Women
Janice Rytel 33 Variations
Lenora Taylor and Santiago Rojo Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy
Paul Tazewell Guys and Dolls
Paul Tazewell Ruined
David C. Woolard The Toxic Avenger
Catherine Zuber Joe Turner's Come and Gone
