2006 Helen Hayes Nominations Honor Several Baltimore Theatre Artists

The 2006 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations were announced today. Named for famed actress Helen Hayes, awards are given in 22 categories, honoring both resident and non-resident theatre in the greater Washington, DC area. Several of the nominees have a Baltimore area connection. Among them are:

2 nominations for Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia – Outstanding Resident Choreography - Ilona Kessell for Beauty and the Beast  and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical – Felicia Curry in Aida

2 nominations for Rep Stage – Outstanding Resident Set Design – Richard Montgomery for The Violet Hour, and Outstanding Resident Supporting Actor – Bruce R. Nelson for The Violet Hour

Vivienne Shub, currently appearing in the Everyman Theatre production of The Cripple of Inishmaan, was nominated for Outstanding Resident Lead Actress in The American Dream at the Potomac Theatre Project.

Keala Settle, who recently appeared at the Hippodrome as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray was nominated for that role at The Kennedy Center.

And the recent production of Damn Yankees at DC's Arena Stage (and local columnist favorite) garnered 7 nominations, including Outstanding Resident Musical, Outstanding Resident Musical Direction (George Fulginiti-Shakar), Outstanding Director of a Resident Musical (Molly Smith), and a Grand Slam in all 4 Outstanding Resident Musical acting categories – Supporting Actor Lawrence Redmond, Supporting Actress Kay Walbye, Lead Actor Brad Oscar, and Lead Actress Meg Gillentine.

Winners will be announced in April. The complete list of nominees can be found at www.helenhayes.org.  Congratulations to all of the nominees!