HUMANS UNITE: OVATION AWARDS WINNERS 2016

2016 Ovation Awards Exclusive

BY RYAN LUÉVANO

The 27^th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were presented on Tuesday, January 17 at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center. Thirty-five awards were bestowed upon 19 different Southern California theatre companies.

The ceremony was hosted by Alexandra Billings, and this year’s presenters included LA theatre luminaries such as Michael Arden, Randall Arney, Jon Robin Baitz, EB Brooks, Sterling K. Brown, Sara Ryung Clement, Paul Crewes, Dale Dickey, Danny Feldman, Marilyn Fox, Beth Grant, Elizabeth Harper, Rajiv Joseph, Richard Montoya, Oanh Nguyen, Mitch O’Farrell, Bill Pullman, Diane Rodriguez, Ric Salinas, Del Shores, Herbert Siguenza, Ali Stroker, and Kitty Swink.

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Billings was more than up for the challenge of hosting this year’s Ovation Awards in a time when artists are fearful of what lies ahead for society and our country. From her quick witted commentary, to her glamorous wardrobe changes, hilarious antics and a deeply moving performance with the DOMA Theatre musicians—Billings fit the bill in so many ways, a beautiful and inspiring woman.

With an auditorium full to the brim of ‘show people’ many awards recipients offered their own uplifting words to guide the theatre community into what lies ahead for our nation. With his ovation win for playwriting for an original play, Luis Alfaro urged creators to speak the truth in their work, actors to translate these messages and for audience’s to partake in theater’s sacred rituals. It was words like these that made 27^th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards one that will always be remembered and treasured for years to come.

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . AND THE 2016 OVATION AWARDS GO TO:

Alexandra Billings and company. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

BEST SEASON

LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER
Fool for Love
HAM: A Musical Memoir
Hit the Wall

Best Production of a Play (Intimate Theatre)

DRY LAND
The Echo Theater Company

Best Production of a Play (Large Theatre)

GUARDS AT THE TAJ
Geffen Playhouse

Best Production of a Musical (Intimate Theatre)

THE BOY FROM OZ
Celebration Theatre

Company of the Boy from Oz. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Best Production of a Musical (Large Theatre)

HAM: A MUSICAL MEMOIR

Los Angeles LGBT Center

Best Presented Production

1984
The Broad Stage

Acting Ensemble of a Play

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED)
Falcon Theatre

Acting Ensemble of a Musical

THE BOY FROM OZ
Celebration Theatre

Choreography

JANET ROSTON
THE BOY FROM OZ
Celebration Theatre

Music Direction

TODD SCHROEDER
HAM: A MUSICAL MEMOIR
Los Angeles LGBT Center

Book for an Original Musical

MICHAEL SHAW FISHER
SHAKESPEARE’S LAST NIGHT OUT
Orgasmico Theatre Company

Lyrics/Composition for an Original Musical

REBEKAH ALLEN
WE ARE THE TIGERS: A NEW MUSICAL
Heart and Flame Productions

Playwriting for an Original Play

LUIS ALFARO

MOJADA: A MEDEA IN LOS ANGELES
The Getty Villa & The Theatre @ Boston Court

Direction of a Musical

MICHAEL SHEPPERD
THE BOY FROM OZ
Celebration Theatre

Michael A. Shepperd. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Direction of a Play

KEN SAWYER
HIT THE WALL
Los Angeles LGBT Center

Lead Actor in a Musical

SAM HARRIS as Multiple Characters

HAM: A MUSICAL MEMOIR
Los Angeles LGBT Center

Cast and crew of Ham: A Musical Memoir. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Lead Actress in a Musical

MOYA ANGELA as Effie
DREAMGIRLS
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Lead Actor in a Play

SAM ANDERSON as John
JOHN IS A FATHER
The Road Theatre Company

Lead Actress in a Play

LILY NICKSAY as May
SEE ROCK CITY
Rubicon Theatre Company

Sterling K. Brown and Ali Stroker. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Featured Actor in a Musical

STANTON MORALES as Barfee
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Sierra Madre Playhouse

Featured Actress in a Musical

BESS MOTTA as Judy Garland

THE BOY FROM OZ
Celebration Theatrere

Featured Actor in a Play

MICHAEL SHEPPERD as Actor 4
BOOTYCANDY
Celebration Theatre

Featured Actress in a Play

PAULA CHRISTENSEN as Nicky
COLONY COLLAPSE
The Theatre @ Boston Court

Luis Alfaro. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.

Lighting Design (Intimate Theatre)

ELIZABETH HARPER
THE GOLDEN DRAGON
The Theatre @ Boston Court

Lighting Design (Large Theatre)

KC WILKERSON
WICKED LIT 2015
Unbound Productions

Scenic Design (Intimate Theatre)

JOHN VERTREES & ERIN WALLEY
DEATHTRAP
Sierra Madre Playhouse

Scenic Design (Large Theatre)

TOM BUDERWITZ
CASA VALENTINA
Pasadena Playhouse

Sound Design (Intimate Theatre)

JOHN NOBORI
COLONY COLLAPSE
The Theatre @ Boston Court

Sound Design (Large Theatre)

DREW DALZELL & NOELLE HOFFMAN
WICKED LIT 2015
Unbound Productions

Costume Design (Intimate Theatre)

MICHAEL MULLEN
THE BOY FROM OZ
Celebration Theatre