Nominees for the 2014 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced on the evening of Monday, September 22 at Native Voices at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. The nominations were revealed by past Ovation Award recipients Gigi Bermingham, Brighid Fleming, Parmer Fuller, Jennifer Haley, Brian Kite, Glynn Turman, and John Zalewski, along with LA STAGE Alliance Chief Executive Officer Terence McFarland.
Theatre @ Boston Court received the most nominations (19), followed by the Geffen Playhouse and La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts with 17 each, Center Theatre Group and 3-D Theatricals with 13 each, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (12). Theatre @ Boston Court garnered nine nominations for Stupid f-ing Bird (co-production with Circle X Theatre Company), seven for Everything You Touch (co-production with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater), R II (2), and Best Season. The Geffen Playhouse received nominations for The Country House (11), Play Dead (3), Slowgirl (2), and Wait Until Dark (1). La Mirada's nominations are for Floyd Collins (9), LES MISERABLES (7), and Best Season. Center Theatre Group received seven nominations for Harmony and one each for A Word or Two and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty all at the Ahmanson Theatre, The Steward of Christendom at the Mark Taper Forum (2), and St. Jude and The Black Suits, both at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, with one each. Nods to 3-D Theatricals are for The Producers (7), Funny Girl (2), Damn Yankees, Into the Woods, and Legally Blonde with one each, and Best Season.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts received nominations for Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life (8), Parfumerie (3), and Brief Encounter (1).
Ovation Honors, which recognize outstanding achievement in areas that are not among the standard list of nomination categories, have been awarded to Dave Robbins (Music Composition for a Play, A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Actors' Gang), Ahmed Best (Fight Choreography, Backyard at Echo Theater Company), and Michelle Zamora (Puppet Design, Roald Dahl's The Magic Finger, MainStreet Theatre Company).
For the 2013-2014 voting season, there are a grand total of 195 nominations for 78 productions, presented by 49 companies. There were 318 total productions registered from 137 companies. Of those productions registered, 78 were Ovation Recommended, identified during their runs as scoring in the top quarter of all productions in the Overall Production categories. The complete list of nominees is below.
Said CEO Terence McFarland, "We're always excited to see the breadth and diversity of the Ovation Awards nominee list. This year's crop is reflective of the tremendous work happening on stages throughout the region. We're thrilled to shine a light on some stalwarts of the community and bring broader attention to those burgeoning artists at the beginning of their careers. I look forward to celebrating all achievements in excellence in Los Angeles theatre on November 2."
The Full Nominees List Includes:
BEST SEASON
- 3-D THEATRICALS
- ACTORS CO-OP
- FOUNTAIN THEATRE
- LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
- THE THEATRE @ BOSTON COURT
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (Intimate Theatre)
- EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- HENRY V
Pacific Resident Theatre
- MY NAME IS ASHER LEV
Fountain Theatre
- STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER
Los Angeles LGBT Center
- THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
- THE RECOMMENDATION
IAMA Theatre Company
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (Large Theatre)
- BREATH & IMAGINATION
The Colony Theatre Company
- COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA
A Noise Within
- OTHER DESERT CITIES
International City Theatre
- PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE
A Noise Within
- PREMEDITATION
The Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC)
- SLOWGIRL
Geffen Playhouse
- THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (Intimate Theatre)
- 110 IN THE SHADE
Actors Co-op
- LYSISTRATA JONES
Chance Theater
- THE WRONG MAN
Skylight Theatre Company
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (Large Theatre)
- FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
BEST PRESENTED PRODUCTION
ACTING ENSEMBLE FOR A PLAY
- LEBENSRAUM
Art of Acting Studio
- MY NAME IS ASHER LEV
Fountain Theatre
- STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- THE BROTHERS SIZE
Fountain Theatre
- THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
- THE RECOMMENDATION
IAMA Theatre Company
ACTING ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL
- FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- HARMONY
Center Theatre Group
- LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
CHOREOGRAPHY
- JOHN CHARRON
BYE BYE BIRDIE
Cabrillo Music Theatre
- DANA SOLIMANDO
DAMN YANKEES
3-D Theatricals
- JOANN HUNTER
HARMONY
Center Theatre Group
- DANIELLE AGAMI
INVISIBLE CITIES
The Industry
- KELLY TODD
LYSISTRATA JONES
Chance Theater
- LAUREN KADEL
MEL BROOKS' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Musical Theatre West
- AMEENAH KAPLAN
THE BROTHERS SIZE
Fountain Theatre
MUSIC DIRECTION
- DAVID O
FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- JOHN O'NEILL
HARMONY
Center Theatre Group
- JOHN GLAUDINI
LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- SHERRIE MARICLE
MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- DAVID LAMOUREUX
THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
BOOK FOR AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL
- CHRISTOPHER CERRONE
INVISIBLE CITIES
The Industry
- ROSS GOLAN
THE WRONG MAN
Skylight Theatre Company
- DEAN MCCLURE
WHEN YOU WISH: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY
When You Wish L.A., LLC
LYRICS/MUSIC FOR AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL
- CHRISTOPHER CERRONE
INVISIBLE CITIES
The Industry
- ROSS GOLAN
THE WRONG MAN
Skylight Theatre Company
- DEAN MCCLURE
WHEN YOU WISH: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY
When You Wish L.A., LLC
PLAYWRIGHTING FOR AN ORIGINAL PLAY
- SHEILA CALLAGHAN
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- TOMMY SMITH
FIREMEN
The Echo Theater Company
- MARJA-LEWIS RYAN
ONE IN THE CHAMBER
Theatre Planners
- LUIS ALFARO
ST. JUDE
Center Theatre Group
- AARON POSNER
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- DONALD MARGULIES
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- MEGHAN BROWN
PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
- RICHARD ISRAEL
110 IN THE SHADE
Actors Co-op
- RICHARD ISRAEL
FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- MICHAEL MATTHEWS
FUNNY GIRL
3-D Theatricals
- YUVAL SHARON
INVISIBLE CITIES
The Industry
- BRIAN KITE
LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
- TIM ROBBINS
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Actors' Gang
- JESSICA KUBZANSKY
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- GUILLERMO CIENFUEGOS
HENRY V
Pacific Resident Theatre
- JOSE LUIS VALENZUELA
PREMEDITATION
The Los Angeles Theatre Center (LATC)
- MICHAEL MICHETTI
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- DANIEL SULLIVAN
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- AMANDA MCRAVEN
THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
- MARK WHITTEN as Floyd Collins
FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- DAVIS GAINES as Fred/Petruchio
KISS ME KATE
Cabrillo Music Theatre
- JAMES BARBOUR as Jean Valjean
LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- JEFF SKOWRON as Thenardier
LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- MAURICE HINES as Maurice Hines
MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- JAY WINNICK as Max Bialystock
THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
- JEFF SKOWRON as Leo Bloom
THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
- KIM HUBER as Nellie Collins
FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- NICOLE PARKER as Fanny Brice
FUNNY GIRL
3-D Theatricals
- VIVA CARR as Baker's Wife
INTO THE WOODS
3-D Theatricals
- VICTORIA STRONG as Lilli/Kate
KISS ME, KATE
Cabrillo Music Theatre
- ALISON ENGLAND as Zombina
ZOMBIES FROM THE BEYOND
The Visceral Company
LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY
- GORDON GOODMAN as John Barrymore
BARRYMORE
Good People Theater Company
- ROGER GUENVEUR SMITH
FREDERICK DOUGLASS NOW
Bootleg Theater
- CHRIS L. MCKENNA as Vic
TASTE
Sacred Fools Theatre Company
- ERIC LANGE as Elliot Cooper
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- MALCOLM BARRETT as Dwight Barnes
THE RECOMMENDATION
IAMA Theatre Company
- JOE SPANO as White
THE SUNSET LIMITED
Rubicon Theatre Company
- TUCKER SMALLWOOD as Black
THE SUNSET LIMITED
Rubicon Theatre Company
LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY
- KARAN KENDRICK as Angel Mo'
BREATH & IMAGINATION
The Colony Theatre Company
- DEBORAH STRANG as Lola
COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA
A Noise Within
- KIRSTEN VANGSNESS as Jess
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- ANNA KHAJA as Rivkeh
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV
Fountain Theatre
- BLYTHE DANNER as Anna Patterson
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- SARAH STEELE as Susie Keegan
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ as Rosie
UNORGANIZED CRIME
Elephant Theatre
FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
- JOSEY MCCOY as Skeets Miller
FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- JOHN MANZARI as John Manzari
MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- LEO MANZARI as Leo Manzari
MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- LUKE SPRING as Luke Spring
MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- DAVID ENGEL as Roger De Bris
THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
- LEIGH WAKEFORD as Carmen Ghia
THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
- ANDY UMBERGER as Roy Disney
WHEN YOU WISH: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY
When You Wish L.A., LLC
FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
- STEPHANIE ANDERSEN as Sister Chantelle
BARE: A ROCK MUSICAL
glory/struck Productions
- HANNAH CORNEAU as Ruth
HARMONY
Center Theatre Group
- LINDSEY ALLEY as Paulette
LEGALLY BLONDE
3-D Theatricals
- ANDI DAVIS as INGA
MEL BROOKS' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Musical Theatre West
- REBECCA JOHNSON as Elizabeth
MEL BROOKS' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Musical Theatre West
- TRACY LORE as Frau Blucher
MEL BROOKS' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Musical Theatre West
- ANNIE GOLDEN as Mrs. Werring
THE BLACK SUITS
Center Theatre Group
FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
- HUGO ARMSTRONG as Ted
BACKYARD
The Echo Theater Company
- LEON RUSSOM as Chorus/Bates/Bardolph
HENRY V
The Porters of Hellsgate
- ALEC FRASIER as Adam
ONE IN THE CHAMBER
Theatre Planners
- ADAM SILVER as Dev
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- ARYE GROSS as Sorn
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- JOE DELAFIELD as Alcippe
THE LIAR
The Antaeus Company
- TYLER SEIPLE as Marcus/Claude
THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
- REBECCA GRAY as Susan
FIREMEN
The Echo Theater Company
- CAROLE WEYERS as Nym/Katherine
HENRY V
Pacific Resident Theatre
- SHANNON HOLT as Queen Elizabeth/Hitler/Reagan
PASSION PLAY
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
- KELLY SCHUMANN as Tam
THE HOMOSEXUALS
Celebration Theatre
- RACHEL GRATE as Kay
THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
- SAGE HOWARD as Courtney
THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
- ABIGAIL MARKS as Dull Gret/Angie
TOP GIRLS
The Antaeus Company
LIGHTING DESIGN (Intimate Theatre)
- DAVID DARWIN
A CHRISTMAS CAROL 2014
Grove Theater Center
- JEREMY PIVNICK
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- KRISTEEN CROSSER
FOXFINDER
Furious Theatre Company
- JEREMY PIVNICK
R II
The Theatre @ Boston Court
- ELIZABETH HARPER
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- JEREMY PIVNICK
THE DIFFERENT SHADES OF HUGH
Road Theatre Company
- LUKE MOYER
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY
NoHo Arts Center Ensemble
LIGHTING DESIGN (Large Theatre)
SCENIC DESIGN (Intimate Theatre)
- JEFF RACK
GOD ONLY KNOWS
Theatre 40
- JEFF RACK
NIGHT WATCH
Theatre 40
- D MARTIN BOOKWALTER
ON THE MONEY
The Victory Theatre Center
- JEFF MCLAUGHLIN
PRAY TO BALL
Skylight Theatre Company
- STEPHANIE SCHWARTZ
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- DEANNE MILLAIS
TASTE
Sacred Fools Theatre Company
- THOMAS BROWN
THE OLD SETTLER
Interact Theatre Company
SCENIC DESIGN (Large Theatre)
SOUND DESIGN (Intimate Theatre)
- AUSTIN QUAN
DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE
Actors Co-op
- JOHN ZALEWSKI
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- DOUG NEWELL
FOXFINDER
Furious Theatre Company
- CHRISTOPHER MOSCATIELLO
PRAY TO BALL
Skylight Theatre Company
- JOHN ZALEWSKI
R II
The Theatre @ Boston Court
- DAN SPURGEON
THE MYSTERY PLAYS
The Visceral Company
- BILL FROGGATT
THE WHIPPING MAN
West Coast Jewish Theatre
SOUND DESIGN (Large Theatre)
- JOSH BESSOM
FLOYD COLLINS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- CARL CASELLA
MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN' THRU LIFE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- CRICKET MYERS
PLAY DEAD
Geffen Playhouse
- RICHARD WOODBURY
SLOWGIRL
Geffen Playhouse
- JON GOTTLIEB
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
- JULIE FERRIN
THE PRODUCERS
3-D Theatricals
- DREW DALZELL & NOELLE HOFFMAN
WICKET LIT 2013
Unbound Productions
COSTUME DESIGN (Intimate Theatre)
- SHON LEBLANC
AH, WILDERNESS!
Actors Co-op
- JENNY FOLDENAUER
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
- WENDELL CARMICHAEL
LEND ME A TENOR
Actors Co-op
- KELLY BAILEY
PRAY TO BALL
Skylight Theatre Company
- GRACE GOODSON-WITCHER
THE OLD SETTLER
Interact Theatre Company
- RACHEL STIVERS
THE PLIANT GIRLS
Fugitive Kind Theater
- TERRI A. LEWIS
TOP GIRLS
The Antaeus Company
COSTUME DESIGN (Large Theatre)
- TOBIN OST
HARMONY
Center Theatre Group
- A. JEFFREY SCHOENBERG
KISS ME, KATE
Cabrillo Music Theatre
- COLLEEN GRADY
LES MISERABLES
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
- DAVID MICKELSEN
NOÉL COWARD'S A SONG AT TWILIGHT
Pasadena Playhouse
- MICHAEL KRASS
PARFUMERIE
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- ANGELA CALIN
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE
A Noise Within
- RITA RYACK
THE COUNTRY HOUSE
Geffen Playhouse
VIDEO/PROJECTION DESIGN
- SPENCER LEE & HANA KIM
PRAY TO BALL
Skylight Theatre Company
- BEN ROCK & ANTHONY BACKMAN
STONEFACE
Pasadena Playhouse
- SEAN CAWELTI
STUPID f-ing BIRD
The Theatre @ Boston Court/
Circle X Theatre Company
- ADAM FLEMMING
THE DIFFERENT SHADES OF HUGH
Road Theatre Company
- HANA KIM
THE UGLY ONE
Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA
- MICHAEL HOY & ADAM FLEMMING
THE WRONG MAN
Skylight Theatre Company
OVATIONS HONORS
Composition for a Play
- DAVE ROBBINS
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Actors' Gang
Fight Choreography
- AHMED BEST
BACKYARD
The Echo Theater Company
Puppet Design
- MICHELLE ZAMORA
ROALD DAHL'S THE MAGIC FINGER
MainStreet Theatre Company