Barrymore Awards Are Tonight; Honor Terrence McNally Honored

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia's 2011 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre are tonight! The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 66 voters who each saw 8 of the 147 shows nominated this year. Four additional awards-Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award, the Ted and Stevie Wolf Award for New Approaches to Collaborations, Brown Martin Philadelphia Award and the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist-will also be distributed at the ceremony.

As previously announced, the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Harry Dietzler, Executive and Artistic Director of Upper Darby Summer Stage, at this year's Barrymore Awards. Terrence McNally will receive the Distinguished Artist Award, a new honor recognizing theatre artists of national and international renown who choose to bring their talents to Philadelphia.

"The Barrymore Awards are a theatrical tradition-a meaningful way of acknowledging the scope of excellence in Philadelphia theatre," said Margie Salvante, Executive Director of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. "Every artist nominated for an award is being recognized for the significant role he or she plays in continuing to raise the national profile of our incredible theatre community. This evening is a ‘Who's Who' in Philadelphia theatre!"

THE 2011 BARRYMORE AWARD NOMINEES ARE:

OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A PLAY: 
Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Let Me Down Easy-Philadelphia Theatre Company
My Wonderful Day-The Wilma Theater
The Lieutenant of Inishmore-Theatre Exile

OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL:
Miss Saigon-Walnut Street Theatre
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
The Great American Trailer Park Musical-11th Hour Theatre Company & Montgomery Theater
The Threepenny Opera-Arden Theatre Company

INDEPENDENCE FOUNDATION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY:
Jacqueline Goldfinger-the terrible girls-Azuka Theatre
D. W. Gregory-Molumby's Million-The Centre Theater
Michael Hollinger-Ghost-Writer-Arden Theatre Company
David Ingram, Anthony Lawton, Jennifer Childs, & Dave Jadico-Our Show of Shows-1812 Productions
Tarell Alvin McCraney-Run, Mourner, Run-Flashpoint Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY:
Leonard Foglia-Let Me Down Easy-Philadelphia Theatre Company
Richard Hamburger-My Wonderful Day-The Wilma Theater
Matt Pfeiffer-The Lieutenant of Inishmore-Theatre Exile
Aaron Posner-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Blanka Zizka-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL:
Matthew Decker-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Anne Kauffman-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Bruce Lumpkin-Miss Saigon-Walnut Street Theatre
Terrence J. Nolen-The Threepenny Opera-Arden Theatre Company
Megan Nicole O'Brien-The Great American Trailer Park Musical-11th Hour Theatre Company & Montgomery

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY:
Charlie DelMarcelle-Dublin by Lamplight-Inis Nua Theatre Company
Dan Hodge-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
James Ijames-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Jeremiah Wiggins-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Greg Wood-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company

THE Charlotte Cushman AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Farah Bala-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Grace Gonglewski-A Moon for the Misbegotten-Arden Theatre Company
Kate Eastwood Norris-Lucy-Delaware Theatre Company
Lavita Shaurice-My Wonderful Day-The Wilma Theater
Catharine Slusar-Iron-Theatre Exile
Anna Deavere Smith-Let Me Down Easy-Philadelphia Theatre Company

GARFIELD REFINING COMPANY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:
Scott Greer-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Damon Kirsche-A Passing Wind-Kimmel Center
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop-Miss Saigon-Walnut Street Theatre
Rob McClure-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Stephen Schellhardt-Little Women-Bristol Riverside Theatre

GARFIELD REFINING COMPANY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: 
Melinda Chua-Miss Saigon-Walnut Street Theatre
Jennie Eisenhower-Little Women-Bristol Riverside Theatre
Mary Martello-The Threepenny Opera-Arden Theatre Company
Ali Stroker-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Philadelphia Theatre Company
Leah Walton-The Great American Trailer Park Musical-11th Hour Theatre Company & Montgomery Theater

EARL GIRLS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN:
Brian Sidney Bembridge-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Brian Sidney Bembridge-The Lieutenant of Inishmore-Theatre Exile
Alexis Distler-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Riccardo Hernandez-Let Me Down Easy-Philadelphia Theatre Company
Louisa Thompson-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company

PECO AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN:
Paul Black-The 39 Steps-Walnut Street Theatre
Jerold R. Forsyth-Ghost-Writer-Arden Theatre Company
John Hoey-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Dan Ozminkowski-Let Me Down Easy-Philadelphia Theatre Company
Thom Weaver-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN:
Oana Botez-Ban-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Olivera Gajic-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Rachel Healy-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Marla Jurglanis-Legacy of Light-People's Light & Theatre
Charlotte Cloe Fox Wind-Ghost-Writer-Arden Theatre Company

CLEAR SOUND AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN AND ORIGINAL MUSIC:
Christopher Colucci-In the Next Room, or the vibratory play-The Wilma Theater
John Lionarons-Dublin by Lamplight-Inis Nua Theatre Company
Chas Marsh-Between Trains-Gas & Electric Arts
Andre Pluess-Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Ryan Rumery-Let Me Down Easy-Philadelphia Theatre Company
Mat Wright-Marat Sade-EgoPo Classic Theater

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION:
Alex Bechtel-My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra-Walnut Street Theatre
Dan Kazemi-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Douglass G. Lutz-Miss Saigon-Walnut Street Theatre
Ryan Touhey-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Mat Wright-Marat/Sade-EgoPo Classic Theater

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY/MOVEMENT:
John V. Bellomo-Superior Donuts-Arden Theatre Company
Samantha Bellomo-The Adventures of Tom Sawyer-People's Light & Theatre
Jenny Jacobs & John V. Bellomo-The Beaux' Stratagem-Villanova Theatre
Jenn Rose-The Great American Trailer Park Musical-11th Hour Theatre Company & Montgomery Theater
Waldo Warshaw & Aaron Cromie-The Lieutenant of Inishmore-Theatre Exile

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY:
Pearce Bunting-The Lieutenant of Inishmore-Theatre Exile
Dan Hodge-The 39 Steps-Walnut Street Theatre
James Ijames-Superior Donuts-Arden Theatre Company
Anthony Lawton-Our Show of Shows-1812 Productions
Luigi Sottile-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY:
Opal Alladin-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Opal Alladin-My Wonderful Day-The Wilma Theater
Krista Apple-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Kate Czajkowski-In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
Kelly O'Sullivan-My Wonderful Day-The Wilma Theater

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:
Carl Clemons-Hopkins-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Aaron Cromie-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Michael Doherty-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Steve Pacek-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Kim Sullivan-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL:
Rachel Camp-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Kim Carson-Little Women-Bristol Riverside Theatre
Jennie Eisenhower-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
Alex Keiper-The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
Elisa Matthews-Little Women-Bristol Riverside Theatre

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY:
Around the World in 80 Days-Delaware Theatre Company
Art-Act II Playhouse
Dublin by Lamplight-Inis Nua Theatre Company
In the Next Room, or the vibrator play-The Wilma Theater
My Wonderful Day-The Wilma Theater

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE IN A MUSICAL:
Little Women-Bristol Riverside Theatre
Miss Saigon-Walnut Street Theatre
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Theatre Horizon
The Flea and the Professor-Arden Theatre Company
The Great American Trailer Park Musical-11th Hour Theatre Company & Montgomery Theatre

F. OTTO HAAS AWARD FOR AN EMERGING PHILADELPHIA THEATRE ARTIST:
Charlotte Ford
James Ijames
Rob McClure
Steve Pacek
Thom Weaver

BROWN MARTIN PHILADELPHIA AWARD:
Amaryllis Theatre Company-Lydia
Arden Theatre Company-Superior Donuts
Passage Theatre-Love and Communication
Philadelphia Theatre Company-Race
Philadelphia Young Playwrights-Young Voices and Monologues

TED AND STEVIE WOLF AWARD FOR NEW APPROACHES TO COLLABORATIONS:
Robert Smythe and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia-Stravinsky's l'Histoire du Soldat-Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:
Principal Otis Hackney-Principal, South Philadelphia High School-The Wilma Theater/1812 Productions/Philadelphia Young Playwrights

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Harry Dietzler-Executive and Artistic Director, Upper Darby Summer Stage

BARRYMORE TRIBUTE FOR A DISTINGUISHED ARTIST IN THE THEATRE
Terrence McNally-Playwright

The 17th Annual Barrymore Awards honoring excellence in Philadelphia theatre will be held on Monday, October 3 at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street. The evening will kick off with a red carpet event beginning at 6 p.m. as local theatre celebrities and nominees gather. The awards ceremony, directed by Jay Wahl, will begin at 7 p.m. with a reception immediately following at the Ballroom at the Ben in the Benjamin Franklin House, 834 Chestnut Street. The evening is black tie optional, and the public is cordially invited to attend. To purchase tickets, visit www.phillytheatretix.com or call 215-413-7150.

This year, 88 actors, playwrights, directors and designers representing 51 companies and 147 productions became nominees for the 2011 Barrymore Awards. They stand as the newest generation in the continuous legacy of theatrical excellence initiated by the Barrymore family as the first-family of American theatre.

The Philadelphia theatre community is additionally recognized with four unique awards each year:
The Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award recognizes the work of theatres and theatre artists who provide innovative theatre and educational experiences as a vehicle for betterment within the community. This year's award will be given to Otis Hackney,
Principal of South Philadelphia High School, for his collaboration with teaching artists from The Wilma Theater, 1812 Productions and Philadelphia Young Playwrights to create, produce and perform an original piece of theater, Southern High Voices. The play was the product of three
semester-long residencies in which more than 50 students studied acting and playwrighting while examining the various layers of identity that make up South Philadelphia High School's past and present.

The Ted and Stevie Wolf Award for New Approaches to Collaborations celebrates unique collaborations between theatre companies and other non-theatre organizations. These collaborations each result in a public event and have an impact both on the participating organizations and the Greater Philadelphia community. This year's award will be given to Robert Smythe, renowned director and puppeteer for his collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia in staging a provocative production of Stravinsky's A Soldier's Tale (L'histoire du soldat) at the Perelman Theater as part of the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts produced by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

The Brown Martin Philadelphia Award was established in 2007 to honor those plays that best lead audiences to a better understanding of the unique experiences that make up our diverse global community. Named in honor of Virginia Brown Martin, a lover and supporter of theatre in her own lifetime, the award carries with it a significant monetary prize to support a continued focus on producing plays that help us better appreciate unique points of view, and heal the divisiveness that springs from intolerance and fear. This year's nominees are Love and Communication at Passage Theatre, Lydia at Amaryllis Theatre Company, Race at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, Superior Donuts at the Arden Theatre Company, Young Voices and Monologues at Philadelphia Young Playwrights.

And finally, the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist, which includes a $10,000 cash prize, is given to a Philadelphia theatre artist who shows outstanding promise in his or her field and is dedicated to working in the Philadelphia theatre community. Named after the late F. Otto Haas, noted philanthropist, civic leader, and former Chairman of Rohm & Haas, the award is sponsored through the generosity of Carole Haas Gravagno and is specifically designed to help cover the artist's living expenses for one year to allow the individual to focus solely on his or her craft. The runners-up each receive a $1,000 cash award. This year's nominees are Charlotte Ford, James Ijames, Rob McClure, Steve Pacek, and Thom Weaver.

The Barrymore Awards celebrate the work of local theatre artists and companies as they continue the legacy of the Barrymore family. The program is produced by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and is the only comprehensive awards program in the region, recognizing artistic excellence in theatre. Each year, over 100 productions, produced by local professional theatres, are reviewed by the Barrymore voting committee. Since 1995, the Barrymore Awards have recognized 64 organizations, 599 productions, and 835 artists for the excellence they have brought to the theatre of Greater Philadelphia.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community by engaging new audiences for the theatre and strengthening the capacity of its members to serve those audiences. The Greater Philadelphia region spans three states and several counties, and supports over 150 theatre companies - from the oldest continuously operated theatre in the nation, to the small emerging and community theatres. The Theatre Alliance also provides resources to the individual local theatre artists and over one million theatregoers in the region. The Theatre Alliance is guided by a philosophy of collaboration - within the theatre community, the larger arts and cultural community, and
the public community at large - toward the goal of increasing the impact of theatre on the Greater Philadelphia region, and seeing Philadelphia emerge as a World Class Theatre City. For more, visit www.phillytheatretix.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

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