Boston's IRNE Awards Honors York, Paulus, Leon et al.

On Monday, April 19, the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama hosted the 2009-2010 IRNE Awards ceremony, honoring the best in Boston theater. A party for all of the nominees was held from 7-8 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony. Many Broadway names were honored, including actress Rachel York and directors Diane Paulus and Kenny Leon.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards were founded by Beverly Creasey of The Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of TheaterMirror in 1997. IRNE Reviewers include among others David Brooks Andrews, Sheila Barth, Jules Becker, Kay Bourne, Beverly Creasey, Joe Crowley, Shirley Esthimer, Richard Fahey, Guy Giampapa, Norm Gross, Rudy Kikel, Beatrice Lee, Kilian Melloy and Larry Stark.

With four theaters ranging in capacity from the 90 seat BCA Plaza Black Box to the 370 seat Wimberly Theatre in the Calderwood Pavillion, the Boston Center for the Arts serves as an affordable home for its resident theater companies and other visiting companies throughout the year, and supports interaction between these artists and Boston's diverse audiences.

Winners of the 2009-2010 IRNE Awards include:

Best New Play (small theater), Israel Horovitz, Sins of the Mother, Gloucester Stage Co.

Best New Play (large theater), David Grimm, The Miracle at Naples, Huntington Theatre

Best Solo Performance (large theater), Maureen McGovern, A Long and Winding Road,    Huntington, Theatre

Best Ensemble (large theater), Dividing the Estate, Hartford Stage

Best Choreographer (large theater), David Scala, La Cage Aux Folles, Reagle Players

Best Supporting Actress, Musical (large theater), Angela Robinson, The Color Purple, Citi Performing Arts Center

Best Actress, Musical (large theater), Rachel York, Hello, Dolly! Reagle Players

Best Actor, Musical (large theater), David Engel, La Cage Aux Folles, Reagle Players

Best Director, Musical (large theater), Diane Paulus, Best of Both Worlds, American Repertory Theatre

Best Director, Play (large theater), Kenny Leon, Fences, Huntington Theatre

For a complete list of nominees and winners, visit: http://www.stagesource.org/pages/32315_irne_awards_2009_page_two.cfm

In the photo: Rachel York in Hello Dolly!

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