San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Presents 8th Annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence

Productions by the Old Globe Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse dominated as the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle opresented the eighth annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence, honoring the best stage work of 2009.

Nine San Diego County professional and semi-professional companies took home a total of 37 awards, given in 27 categories, including a new one, Outstanding Young Artist. The critics also presented three special awards. Topping the winners' list was The Playhouse's world premiere of "Bonnie & Clyde," which took five awards in the musical categories: new musical, direction, musical direction, female lead performance and female featured performance.

Next in line, taking four Noels, was The Playhouse's fresh version of Strindberg's "Creditors." It won for lighting design, set design, music for a play and for Tony-winning playwright Doug Wright's pungent new adaptation. The Globe's summer production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" garnered three major awards: dramatic production, direction of a play and lead male performance, which went to Patrick Page in the title role.

Two nationally known actors were among the winners present to accept their awards. Obba Babatundé, who won the Lead Actor in a Musical award for his tour-de-force performance as Sammy Davis Jr. in "Sammy," thanked Davis for inspiring him and paving the way for other entertainers. And veteran television actor Armin Shimerman ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") was honored for his featured performance in San Diego Rep's "The Seafarer."

Four productions received two Noels apiece: the Globe's "Sammy," "Opus" and "Twelfth Night," and Cygnet Theatre's "Bed and Sofa." Other plaques went to artists at Diversionary Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, ion theatre company, Compass Theatre and North Coast Repertory Theatre. The first Outstanding Young Artist award went to Ian Brininstool for his performance as a questioning young teen in the bittersweet "Over the Tavern" at North Coast Rep.

Darko Tresnjak, winning director for "Cyrano," also received one of the evening's special awards for his body of work in San Diego, especially reviving and helming the Globe's Summer Shakespeare Festival. Also honored was DJ Sullivan, for her decades of acting on stage and screen, for her union activities on behalf of actors, and for teaching and directing local actors, many of whom have gone on to illustrious careers. An Outstanding Special Event Award went to the Ira Aldridge Repertory Players, for its doo-wop musical revue, "Looking for an Echo."

A complete list of winners can be found here.

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