To anyone wondering about this blog...

South Florida Theatre News has been silent for quite some time now and some of you have been wondering why.  Let me just say first that SFTN has no plans of going away.  The more outlets the South Florida Theatre Community has to get information out to the public the better. 

As anyone who reads this blog and/or the "What I've been doing..." tab on the right hand side knows, I am also a sound designer and theatre tech in the community.  The amount of work that I have been getting over the past year has steadily been growing.  And with the 2012-2013 theatre season upon us, I am busier then I have ever been.  Just this past week I opened up two great shows (How I survived this is beyond me): "Sylvia" for the Boca Raton Theatre Guild and "The All American Genderf*ck Cabaret" for Thinking Cap Theatre.  Both are great shows and I encourage you to see them.  The "Cabaret" one I am running so say hi to the guy in the booth if you come by.

It is great doing what I love with so many talented theatre companies.  However, with my day job and family life, it leaves virtually no time left over to get posts ready for this blog.  For that I apologize.

I do not plan on going away and neither should you.  The going will be slow as I try to integrate posting back into my routine, but I do hope to get back on to a more consistent schedule in the foreseeable future.  I will also update the side tab more frequently to keep you up to date with all of my current projects.

Thank you for reading South Florida Theatre News.  And remember that you are our most valuable patron.  Without you, we wouldn’t be here.

David W. Hart

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Sherman Hemsley Dead at 74

Sherman Hemsley performed with local groups in Philadelphia before moving to New York to study with Lloyd Richards at the Negro Ensemble Company. Shortly after, he joinedVinnette Carroll's Urban Arts Company appearing in these productions: But Never Jam Today, The Lottery, Old Judge Mose is Dead, Moon On A Rainbow Shawl, Step Lively Boys,Croesus, and The Witch. He made his Broadway debut in Purlie and toured with the show for a year. In the summer of 1972 he joined the Vinnette Carroll musical Sorry, I Can't Copeensemble in Toronto, followed a month later in the American Conservatory Theatre production at the Geary Theatre. This production had Hemsley in Act I performing the solo "Lookin' Over From Your Side" and in "Sermon" in Act II.


While Hemsley was on Broadway with Purlie, with Cleavon Little and Melba Moore, Norman Lear called him in 1971 to play the role of George Jefferson on his burgeoning new sitcom, All in the Family. Hemsley was reluctant to leave his theatre role, but Lear told him that he would hold the role open for him. Hemsley joined the cast two years later. The characters of Hemsley and co-star Isabel Sanford were secondary on All in the Family, but were given their own spin-off series, The Jeffersons, less than two years after Hemsley made his debut on the show. Such was Hemsley's and Sanford's compatibility and credibility as a married couple that no one seemed to notice or care that in real life Sanford was twenty years older than Hemsley. The Jeffersons proved to be one of Lear's most successful shows, enjoying a run of 11 seasons through 1985.

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About Kutumba Theatre Project And Their First Production

The Kutumba Theatre Project is a collective focusing on works and the development of works that give a voice to the LGBT community, women's interests, and other under served communities.  The Word "Kutumba" has various meanings in many languages and they all resonate with the mission of the Kutumba Theatre Project.

Kutumba: to leap, to strut proudly, a unique bond amongst community members, family or kin.

Baby GirL is the first production for Kutumba Theatre Project.  Kim Ehly, founder of Kutumba Theatre Project, is a 28 year veteran of the theatre and has worked in film, tv, and theatre in NYC, LA, and South Florida.  Baby GirL is being performed at Empire Stage: an artist-driven collective that produces new and existing works for the diverse audiences of Fort Lauderdale, including the LGBT community and senior population.

Given the common missions of Kutumba Theatre Project and Empire Stage, teaming up for the production of Baby GirL is a natural partnership.  Baby GirL has all the elements to engage audiences and give focus to the LGBT community, as well as the adoption population, and lovers of the theatre in general.

About Baby GirL:  Baby GirL was conceived by Kim Ehly in a writing workshop held by Connie Congdon in New York City, in conjunction with a personal monologue exercise in a Strasberg scene study class in New York City.  The monologue was supposed to be two pages long, but ended up being seventeen and half pages…and so, a play was born.  A reading of Baby GirL, while in its development stage, was met with great applause at the New Theatre in Coral Gables.  The screenplay version of Baby GirL placed as a finalist at the NewFest Film Festival in New York City.

Baby Girl features some of the best acting talent in South Florida: Sally Bondi, Clay Cartland, Miki Edelman, David R. Gordon, Noah Levine, Nori Tecosky. Jessica Welch, and Lindsey Forgey as ASHLEY.

Design Team:  Lighting Design - Nate Sykes;  Sound Design - David Hart;  Stage Art Design - Leah Schmaman.

Baby GirL runs July 13 – August 5, Fri and Sat at 8pm and Sun at 5pm. Preview performance on July 12 at 8pm. All performances are at Empire Stage, 1140 North Flagler Dr. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Phone number 954-678-1496. For tickets visit: www.smarttix.com or www.empirestage.com.

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The Reading List for Wedensday March 7, 2012

Promethean Theatre
It's hard to hear about a theatre closing it's doors for any reason, but to decide to close your doors before you get in over your head has to be one of the hardest things to do.  The Promethean Theatre who uses the black box theatre space at Nova Southeastern University has done just that.  With there donor contributions dwindiling, Promethean is closing not because they have, but beacuse they feel it's time.

“I don’t think of this as a loss. It’s a choice — and we weren’t forced to make this choice. It’s the mature thing to do,” said Deborah L. Sherman, co-founder and producing artistic director. 

There are two things theatrs need to have to keep going: to sell tickets and to have the support from donors and sponsers.  No matter how large a theatre's audiance is, it is hard to keep going with only their support.

Read Bill Hirshman's article about the closing and history of The Promethean Theatre.

Promethean Takes Final Bow “Because It’s Time” — And Lack of Donor Support




Avi and Laura
Meet the husband and wife team of Avi Hoffman and Laura Turnbull in the last blog post from Mosaic's Theatre Blog, Tiles!

All in the Family – Meet Avi Hoffman & Laura Turnbull




Actor's Playhouse
Actor's Playhouse announces the majority of their 2012-2013 season. The list so far includes:
Godspell, The Last Five Years, The Fox on the Fairway: Jan, In The Heights.

Read about their anouncement here from the Drama Queen: Christin Dolen
Actors' Playhouse celebrates 25 years with 'In the Heights'

Or here from Bill Hirschman of Florida Theatre On Stage
In The Heights, Godspell Slated As Part of Actors Playhouse 2012-2013 Anniversary Season

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The Reading List for Wedensday Feb. 29

The Childrens Trust Blog

Partnership Draws Rave Reviews, Young Musicians and Actors Stretch Their Talent

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News for the Week of Feb. 20, 2012

Tweet from the Palm Beach Opera and Adrienne Arsht Center
An article from The Sun-Sentinel talks about the Palm Beach Opera and the Adrienne Arsht Center alowing people to use twitter from designated "Tweet Seats" just like 2amTheatre mentioned in the blog post  I Came -- I Tweeted -- I Pondered.


South Florida arts lovers can tweet from their theater seats

Across South Florida, arts venues are exploring how to draw a younger audience that may not traditionally attend live theater performances. And it serves as a promotional tool, allowing theater-goers to broadcast instant reviews in real time to people who follow their Twitter accounts.

"Having an authentic voice talking about the show and what is going on on-stage really goes a lot further than something coming from a marketer,'' said Ceci Dadisman, director of marketing for the opera.

Over at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts ofMiami-Dade County, officials have tweet seats for contest winners and social media reviewers, but the center does not encourage the general public to tweet during performances.

Last summer, audiences were encouraged to tweet during the pre-show and intermission for Cirque Eloize iD. More than 1,000 tweets were cast on large screens in the center's Ziff Ballet Opera House stage during the show's six-week run.

Read the whole article at the link above.

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News for the Week of Feb. 13, 2012

Broward Across America
Broward Across America has announced it 2012-2013 season that begins with Rock 'N Roll and ends with a deeply moving tale between a boy and his horse, with a bit of murder, flash and the macabre mixed in.

Million Dollar Quartet – Nov. 6-18This surprisingly effective and infectious musical is loosely based on an actual recording session at the legendary Sun Records when producer Sam Phillips brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Although there is a book of sorts and a bit of plot, this is still primarily a jukebox musical. But the combined songbook of these icons’ early years and the conceit of them jamming together proved unavoidably winning, especially with the cast that played the Arsht last year. http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/.

Sister Act – Dec. 18–30Featuring a rousing score by by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), this feel-good reworking of the 1992 movie traces a wannabe diva who goes into hiding in a convent after she witnesses a crime. The culture clash, of course, ends up changing both the nuns and the diva.  http://www.sisteractbroadway.com/.

Agatha Christie’s Classic BBC Mystery Series – Jan. 15–Feb. 3, 2013This offering, being staged at the Parker Playhouse rather than Broward Center for the Performing Arts, is a collection of four classic mystery tales originally written by the Queen of Mystery Writers just before and after World War II:  Three Blind Mice, Yellow Iris, Butter in a Lordly Dish and Personal Call. The radio scripts were adapted for the stage in 2009 for Florida impresario Zev Buffman and his International Mystery Writers’ Festival in Kentucky.

Flashdance – Mar. 5– 7, 2013
This first national tour about a working-class girl in Pittsburgh with dreams of becoming a professional dancer (and which created a rage for leg warmers) is now a stage show featuring the music from the Jennifer Beals movie.

The Addams Family – Apr. 9–21, 2013Another shock: When this played on Broadway, only the heavy lifting by Nathan Lane as Gomez kept this mess from sinking into the mire. But the creative team took it back into the shop, overhauled it and came up with a surprisingly funny musical comedy that thoroughly entertained audiences as the Arsht last year.

War Horse – May 7–19, 2013Mark your calendars and don’t miss this. How well this will work on a proscenium stage is anybody’s guess since this highly theatrical work was staged on a thrust stage at Lincoln Center, putting the story right in the audiences’ lap. But don’t bet against it.  http://www.warhorseonstage.com/

Not part of the subscription package:

Wicked – Jan. 30 – Feb. 17, 2013The blockbuster musical hit very loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s dark  alternative take on The Wizard of Oz, is a monster hit, especially for pre-teen and teenaged girls who identify with the misunderstood heroine, Elphaba, who will later be known as The Wicked Witch of the West.




One Act and One Minute Play Festivals

Save The Date!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Alliance Theatre Lab proudly presents “Onesies,” an evening of stage readings composed of short plays written by David Michael Sirois and Mark Della Ventura on Monday, March 5, 2012.
“Our 2012 season is comprised of three world premieres: one by David Michael Sirois and two by Mark Della Ventura. We wanted to put together an evening of short plays written by these two amazing playwrights to show our audience a sample of the exciting things happening this season,” says Producing Artistic Director Adalberto J. Acevedo.

And if you are looking for smaller and more numerous, we have...

Minutemen – and Women.

You’ve heard of one-act play programs and ten-minute play, but now comes The First South Florida One-Minute Play Festival.
More than 40 playwrights with South Florida connections have written (or are still writing) these very brief exercises in dramaturgy for two benefit performances slated for 4:30 and 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave. in Miami.

Some of the playwrights are: Michael McKeever, Michael Yawney, Juan C. Sanchez, Gene Excaliber, David Sirois, Mark Della Ventura, Vanessa Garcia, Kimberly Patterson, Marj O’Neill-Butler, Andrew Rosendorf, Kenny Finkle, Sheri Wilner, Deborah Zoe Laufer, Andie Arthur, Carmen Pelaez, David Caudle, Stacy O’Neill, Neena Beber, Edith Freni and Jorge Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas. The plays will be directed by Steven Chambers, Elizabeth Price, Nicole Stoddard and Ricky J. Martinez

The project is being presented by the New York-based One-Minute Play Festival, Deering Estate and the South Florida Theatre League. The event is partly underwritten by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

Tickets are $25 per show and can be purchased online at www.deeringestate.org/articles/Featured-Events-and-Programs/South-Florida-One-Minute-Play-Festival.aspx or by calling the Deering Estate Ticket Office at (305) 235-1668 ext. 233.
The proceeds will benefit the Theatre Lab, a year-long series of playwright workshops presented by the South Florida Theatre League and the Deering Estate.




 Roxy Performing Arts Center

RTG’s Musical Production Features Law & Order Star


Actor, Danny Pino, Miami native and star of NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, plays the Book Voice in The Roxy Theatre Group’s (RTG) musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, through an extraordinary voice over. RTG’s cast and orchestra of 70 students, ages 12-22, are honored to have the accomplished actor as a guest-artist within their ensemble.  RTG is a non-profit arts organization for children and youth.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Pino is a long-time supporter of RTG and has served on the program’s Advisory Board since inception. The Cuban-American actor has provided several workshops for the organization’s students. A Florida International University Alumnus, Pino’s television and film credits include Burn Notice, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, New York, Flicka and Andy Garcia’s The Lost City.

“Roxy is a place where an interest in theater, dance and music becomes a study and a study becomes a skill.  At a time when arts programs are being de-funded, Roxy is more rare and essential to the creative youth in our community. I had a fantastic time recording the voiceover for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, especially knowing I could collaborate with the talented and committed young artists in my hometown.  I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this production and hope that our community further realizes the importance of cultivating creativity and encouraging self expression in all forms. To the students at Roxy:  Dream big, prepare, and ‘Break a leg!,’ said Danny Pino, playing the Book Voice in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  Currently, playing Detective Nick Amaro on NBC’s hit series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, he is also well-known for his seven seasons as Detective Scotty Valens on CBS’s Cold Case.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, February 17, 2012-March 3, 2012.  Fridays & Saturdays, 8:00p.m.  Saturday, March 3^rd, 3:00p.m. & 8:00p.m.  Sundays, 5:30p.m.  General Admission, $20.00. Gala Fundraiser & Reception, Saturday, February 18, 2012, 7:00p.m., $50.00.  Proceeds benefit RTG’s Student Scholarship Fund.  1645 SW 107 Ave. Miami, FL 33165.

For tickets or more information please call 305-226-0030, email JTorgas@RoxyPac.com or visit RoxyPAC.com. All media inquiries should please be directed to SusannePinedo@gmail.com. The Roxy Theatre Group (RTG) a non-profit organization, offers performing arts programs for ages, 3-17.

Caldwell Theatre

Legacy Bank files to foreclose on Caldwell Theater

Legacy Bank of Florida has filed a foreclosure lawsuit against the Caldwell Theatre Company, claiming the Boca Raton-based theater has failed to repay nearly $6 million in debt on its new playhouse.

In a lawsuit filed this month in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Legacy Bank alleges the theater is behind on two notes: One for $2.88 million and the other for about $3 million.

Reports of Caldwell's financial problems have swirled for some time. Clive Cholerton, artistic director, said the theater is weighing a debt reorganization, possibly through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Cholerton stressed that a Chapter 7 liquidation is not in the cards.

"We're exploring different options for reorganization; we are talking to the bank on a daily basis," Cholerton said. "This is just part of the process. We're very confident things are going to work out."

Read the rest of the article here: Sun-Sentinel: Legacy Bank Files To Foreclose

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News for the Week of Feb. 6, 2012

Caldwell Theatre
Bill Hirschman at Florida Theatre On Stage reports about the Caldwell Theatre and how thay are considering bankruptcy protection but have no plans to fold.

The board of directors at the Caldwell Theatre Company are considering seeking federal bankruptcy protection as one solution to persisting financial problems at South Florida’s longest running regional theater, but it has no expectations of folding or canceling its season, said Artistic Director Clive Cholerton

“We’re not going anywhere,” he said in an interview Friday night after briefing local members of Actors Equity Association about the situation.

The Boca Raton-based professional company, now in its 37^th season, is weighing three versions of restructuring its debt which tops $1 million. The board is likely to decide which course to take sometime next week, Cholerton said.

Unlike some theatres with huge debts who seems to be sinking lower with dwendeling subscriptions, Caldwell Theatre at least has some things going for it.

The decision to restructure was quietly made at the end of the year when the company had nearly broken even on its $1.6 million operating budget, but had not been able to earn enough to reduce the debt at all, even though some creditors had court judgments, Cholerton said.

The situation was frustrating because single ticket sales had doubled during the year and the level of 2,000 subscribers, while far below the Caldwell’s glory days, had stayed nearly even.

There is not one theatre within the tri-county area that has not been hit by the way the economy has been down-turning.  And every community in the United States probably has at least that one theatre that they thought would not go under.  We had our first one when Florida Stage went under.  Lets hope the Caldwell can bounce back.




Jupiter
The Maltz Juiter Theatre has just announced there 10th anniversary season complete with classics, showstopers, drama and family entertainment.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s 10th anniversary season will feature the crowd-pleasing brand of musicals that have cemented its popularity, but it will continue its push toward serious fare with two powerhouse plays: Doubt and Amadeus. The rest of lineup announced Monday night includes the mainstream musicals The Music Man, Singin’ in the Rain and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

“We are celebrating our tenth season of success with the best Broadway-caliber productions and events that we’ve ever assembled,” the theatre’s artistic director, Andrew Kato said in a news release. “Our season is filled with classic musicals, family entertainment and captivating plays, including four Tony Award-winning productions and an MGM spectacle. Our audiences will be completely dazzled.”

Coconut Grove
Christopher Jahn at South Florida Theatre Scene, as well as a few others, have had their comments deleted from the Facebook page "Save The Coconut Grove Playhouse"  Could the Facebook page be hiding something?

It started when Steve Shapiro asked me to post something for him.  You see, Steve was a long-time staffer at The Grove, and is intimately familiar with the problems that faced it.  So he's got a solid insider's view on the issue of saving the Playhouse.

And so he posted his view on the matter on the Facebook page of Save The Coconut Grove Playhouse.

Shortly after he posted his comments, they were deleted.  So we took a look, couldn't find them, and posted a couple of questions about claims being made on the matter.  Not only were our comments deleted, the page de-friended us.

After you read the above post please feel free to read Christophers next one where he starts to fact check the "Save Coconut Grove Playhouse" FB page.

Since SAVE THE COCONUT GROVE has been deleting any comment made that in any contradicts their views and opinions, we decided to provide a place to discuss the issues surrounding The Coconut Grove Playhouse.

One thing I asked STCGP about was their repeated claim that the $20 million grant being held in abeyance was specifically to restore the old building. At the time, I questioned it because I remember that grant being set aside for capital improvements; they needed a new roof, much of the building was structurally unsound, and its technology was woefully out of date.

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Breaking News: Women’s Theatre Project Postpones Rest of Season

From Florida Theater On Stage
February 1, 2012 by Bill Hirschman
Note: This story is still evolving and hopefully more details will follow soon.

The Women’s Theatre Project has postponed the rest of its 2012 season because it has lost its venue in Fort Lauderdale and has been unable to find a suitable replacement yet in Broward County, the group announced Wednesday.

“This news is difficult to share and comes from a company that has faithfully delivered every production on time and on schedule (and under some dire circumstances),” reported a news release.

Since much of its funding comes from the Broward Cultural Division and it is registered as a not-for-profit organization in the county, “understandably, we are obliged to perform in our home county to receive this funding,” the company reported.

“This places us in the precarious position of not being able to secure grants for future work because we do not have an identified location for presentation. This scenario dictates that we cannot sell a season, which also impacts our revenues to fund productions,” the release stated.

The company has refunded money to its subscribers, but will continue later this year with Girl Play 2012, its annual lesbian playwriting festival, which does not have to be performed in the current space.

The theater had three more plays slated for the season: The Sex Habits of American Women scheduled for Feb. 16, plus Blind Spots and Taking Flight.

For ten years, the company has been devoted solely to plays written by women and dealing with women’s issues, but it has built a loyal audience among patrons of both sexes.

Its web page states, “The company was founded from a need for women’s voices to be heard, a desire to break down the stereotypes of women propelled by the media, and to create more professional theatrical opportunities for women of all shapes, sizes, races, and ages.”

The Women’s Theatre Project has also been one of the leading companies in the state exploring lesbians’ concerns. As a result, it has developed a strong following among lesbian patrons.

Like many tiny companies, the troupe has wrestled with financial issues in the down economy, asking private donors to replace grant money that has dwindled. It has operated for several years in a vest-pocket storefront space at 505 NW 1st Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, donated by Doug Jones and Sixth Star Entertainment. But the theater is being converted into offices in March.

Since its first staged reading in 2001, its incorporation in 2002 and its first full production in 2004, The Women’s Theatre Project has presented world and regional premieres of several works such as Speaking Elephant by local playwright Terry Lawrence.

Like every other company, the quality of its productions varied, but it has mounted acclaimed works such as Eclipsed, about the oppression of women in war-torn Africa, The Year of Magical Thinking, drawn from Joan Didion’s memoir, and Playhouse Creatures about women in the theater.

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Carbonell Awards 2011-2012

On Monday April 2, 2012 the South Florida Theatre Community will come together to celebrate the best that the tri-county had to offer during the previous 12 months. Among the nation’s senior regional arts awards, South Florida’s Carbonell Awards, started in 1975, recognizes the best theatrical shows and performances in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. 

Here is the complete list of nominees, followed by breakdowns by theatre and county:

Best New Work

Brothers Beckett, David Michael Sirois Alliance Theatre Lab

Captiva, Christopher Demos Brown, Zoetic Stage

The Cha-Cha of the Camel Spider, Carter W. Lewis, Florida Stage

Stuff, Michael McKeever, Caldwell Theatre Company

Best Production of a Play

All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

August: Osage County, Actors’ Playhouse

Clybourne Park, Caldwell Theatre Company

The Pillowman, Infinite Abyss

Stuff,  Caldwell Theatre Company

Best Production of a Play

Joseph Adler, Red, GableStage

Jeffrey D. Holmes, The Pillowman,  Infinite Abyss

J.Barry Lewis, All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Stuart Meltzer, Captiva, Zoetic Stage

Richard Jay Simon, Side Effects, Mosaic Theatre

Best Actor in a Play

Ken Clement, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Actors’ Playhouse

Scott Douglas Wilson, The Pillowman, Infinite Abyss

Avi Hoffman, SuperiorDonuts, GableStage

Kenneth Tigar All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Gregg Weiner,  Red, GableStage

Best Actress in a Play

Kati Brazda, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Elizabeth Dimon, All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Annette Miller, August: Osage County, Actors’ Playhouse

Deborah Sherman, Side Effects, Mosaic Theatre

Laura Turnbull, August: Osage County, Actors’ Playhouse

Best Supporting Actor in a Play

Antonio Amadeo, The Cha-Cha of a Camel Spider, Florida Stage

Marckenson Charles, Superior Donuts, GableStage

Mark Della Ventura, Brothers Beckett, Alliance Theatre Lab

Ryan Didato, Red, GableStage

Todd Allen Durkin, Captiva, Zoetic Stage

Best Supporting Actress in a Play

Barbara Bradshaw, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Renata Eastlick, Eclipsed, The Women’s Theatre Project

Elvire Emmanuelle, Eclipsed, The Women’s Theatre Project

Angie Radosh, Stuff, Caldwell Theatre Company

Laura Turnbull, Lombardi, Mosaic Theatre

Best Production of a  Musical

Crazy for You, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Song of the Living Dead, Promethean Theatre

Best Director, Musical

Michael Leeds, The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Margaret M. Ledford, Song of the Living Dead, Promethean Theatre

Mark Martino, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Mark Martino, Crazy for You, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Marc Robin, The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Actor in a Musical

Matt Loehr, Crazy for You, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

John Pinto,  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Michael Sharon , The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Dylan H.oThompson,  The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical

Colleen Amaya, The Music Man, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Joline Mujica, Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Vanessa Sonon, Crazy for You, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Gabrielle Visser,  The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Catherine Walker, The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical

Clay Cartland, Song of the Living Dead, Promethean Theatre

Michael Brian Dunn, Crazy for You, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Avi Hoffman, Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Bruce Rebold,  The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Ryan William, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

Julie Kleiner , Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Avery Sommers, Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Lara Hayhurst, The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Natalie Ramirez, The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

April Woodall, The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Musical Direction

Helen Gregory, Crazy for You,  Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Kim Douglas Steiner , Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Adam McAllister, The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

David Nagy, Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Garrett Taylor, The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Best Choreography

Chrissy Ardito, The Music Man, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Chrissy Ardito, Song of the Living Dead, Promethean Theatre

Barbara Flaten, Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Mark Martino, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Shea Sullivan, Crazy for You,  Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Scenic Design  (Play or Musical)

Michael Amico,  All My Sons,Palm BeachDramaworks

Tim Bennett, Stuff, Caldwell Theatre Company

Douglas Grinn, Lombardi, Mosaic Theatre

Sean McClelland, August: Osage County, Actors’ Playhouse

Michael Schweikardt, The Sound of Music, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Paul Black, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

John Hall, All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Andrew Myers, The Light in the Piazza, Broward Stage Door Theatre

Jeff Quinn, Red, GableStage

Patrick Tennent, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Actors’ Playhouse

Best Costume Design (Play or Musical)

Brian O’Keefe, All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Jose M. Rivera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Ellis Tillman, Hairspray, Actors’ Playhouse

Ellis Tillman, In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play), GableStage

Ellis Tillman, Song of the Living Dead, Promethean Theatre

Best Sound Design (Play or Musical)

Victoria Deiorio, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Alexander Herrin, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Actors’ Playhouse

Keith Kohrs, Crazy for You, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Marty Mets, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Rich Szczublewski, All My Sons, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Best Ensemble

Brothers Beckett, Alliance Theatre Lab

The Brothers Size, GableStage

Clybourne Park, Caldwell Theatre Company

The Irish Curse, Mosaic Theatre

Masked, GableStage

Nomination Breakdown by Theatre
Maltz Jupiter Theatre: 25
Actors’ Playhouse: 14
Broward Stage Door Theatre: 11
Palm Beach Dramaworks: 10
GableStage: 8
Mosaic Theatre: 5
Caldwell Theatre Company: 6
Promethean Theatre: 5
Zoetic Stage: 3
Alliance Theatre Lab: 3
Infinite Abyss: 3
Florida Stage: 2
The Women’s Theatre Project: 2

Nomination Breakdown by County
Palm Beach: 43
Miami Dade: 28
Broward: 27

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17 SILVER PALMS TO BE AWARDED FOR THEATRICAL EXCELLENCE IN 2011

November 8, 2011

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- The Silver Palm Awards committee – founded four years ago to honor theatrical excellence in South Florida – hasannounced that this year it will present the coveted award to 17 individuals, including two for direction of plays, two for playwriting and one for creating a memorable fighting sequence. Also among the honorees is Mosaic Theatre for its ensemble work in the 2011 production of The Irish Curse.

"The Silver Palm Awards are presented annually to those who've made an outstanding or unique contribution to the South Florida Theatre season," explained Silver Palm Awards Chairman Tony Finstrom. "There are no nominees, no winners or losers, and no limit to the number of citations given in any 'category,' though there really are no official categories."

Finstrom (a (playwright), TV personality Iris Acker and Press Club President Ron Levitt compose the Silver Palm committee, which receives recommendations from South Florida journalists and theatre critics before the final list of recipients is presented.

This year's Silver Palm Advisory Council consisted of Christine Dolen (Miami Herald), Bill Hirschman (FloridaTheaterOnStage.com), Hap Erstein(Palm Beach Post & Palm Beach ArtsPaper), John Lariviere(TalkingBroadway.com), J.W. Arnold (South Florida Gay News), Mary Damiano (FloridaTheaterOnStage.com & South Florida Gay News), and Roger Martin (MiamiArtzine.com).

Silver Palms have gone to some 45 individuals and/or groups during the previous three theatre seasons.

The awards presentation will, this year, be held at the annual Theatre League holiday party on Monday, Dec. 5th, at the Bimini Boatyard in Fort Lauderdale. The party is scheduled from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. The party is open to the public, but there is a $25 admission charge. Theatre League members attend free of charge. Call League Executive Director Andie Arthur for reservations – 954-557-0778.

2010-2011 Silver Palm Award recipients are:

• Tim Bennett - Outstanding Set Design, for STUFF at Caldwell Theatre
• Clay Cartland - Outstanding New Talent, for his performance in SONG OF THE LIVING DEAD at The Promethean Theatre
• Marckenson Charles - for his Outstanding Performances in SUPERIOR DONUTS at GableStage, in A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE at GableStage, and in STUFF at Caldwell Theatre
• David Cohen - Outstanding Musical Tracks, at Broward Stage Door
• Dennis Creaghan - for his Outstanding Performances in A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE at GableStage, in FREUD'S LAST SESSION at Palm Beach Dramaworks, and in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Actors' Playhouse
• Renata Eastlick - Outstanding New Talent, for her performances in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN at Slow Burn Theatre Company, and ECLIPSED at Women's Theatre Project
• Elvire Emanuelle - Outstanding New Talent, for her performance in ECLIPSED at Women's Theatre Project
• Jeffrey D. Holmes - Outstanding Direction, for THE PILLOWMAN at Infinite Abyss
• Paul Homza - Outstanding Fight choreography, for SUPERIOR DONUTS at GableStage
• Michael Leeds - Outstanding Direction, for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Broward Stage Door
• Sean McClelland - Outstanding Set Design, for AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Actors' Playhouse
• Michael McKeever - Playwright, for his Outstanding New Work STUFF at Caldwell Theatre, and for his Outstanding New Work SOUTH BEACH BABYLON at Zoetic Stage
• THE IRISH CURSE - Outstanding Ensemble of Actors at Mosaic Theatre -- (trophy goes to the producer, Richard Jay Simon), cast: Ken Clement, Ryan Didato, Todd Allen Durkin, Shane R. Tanner and Barry Tarallo, directed by Avi Hoffman
• Deborah L. Sherman - for her Outstanding Performances in GOLDIE, MAX & MILK at Florida Stage, in NO EXIT at Naked Stage, and in THREE DAYS OF RAIN at The Promethean Theatre
• David Michael Sirois - Playwright, for his Outstanding New Work THE BROTHERS BECKETT at Alliance Theatre Lab
• Slow Burn Theatre Company, Boca Raton - Outstanding New Emerging Theatre Company
• Karen Stephens - for her Outstanding Performances in BRIDGE & TUNNEL at Women's Theatre Project, in ECLIPSED at Women's Theatre Project, and in CLYBOURNE PARK at Caldwell Theatre

SFTN congratulates all the honorees!

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