Members of the ensemble of Ebony Repertory Company, A Raisin in the Sun. (From L to R) Jason Dirden, Kenya Alexander and Deidrie Henry.
A grand time was had by all who attended the 43rd Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards event. This group of professional theater critics, theLos Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC), annually gives awards for excellence in theater.
The ceremony took place Monday, March 19, 2012 at A Noise Within’s glamorous theater in Pasadena, and was co-produced by LADCC members David C. Nichols and Sharon Perlmutter.
The fun-filled show featured lively banter and comedic performances from hosts Jason Graae (recipient of the 2007 Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theater) and Lesli Margherita (nominee for Kiss Me, Kate).
In addition to handing out the numerous prizes for excellence in theater, the Awards event featured the Los Angeles premiere performance of My Husband, by Paul Rudnick, a short play added to the New York production of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. The play was charmingly performed by Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland) and Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs).
Yvette Tucker and Salvatore Vasallo also performed a sizzling excerpt from “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” a dance duet from On Your Toes, choreographed by this year’s Hirschhorn Award recipient, Lee Martino.
You can now follow the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle on twitter via @LADramaCC.
Please enjoy this photo essay that highlights the attendees, the presenters, the performers, the members, the nominees and — of course — the winners.
All photos were taken by Ed Krieger.
The evening’s co-hosts, Lesli Margherita and Jason Graae, raise a toast to all nominees.David Wiener accepts The Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play for Extraordinary Chambers. Pictured with Lori Thimsen of award sponsor Samuel French, Inc. and Mayank Keshaviah (LADCC member.)Awards night co-producer David C. Nichols (LADCC)Co-winner for Lighting Design Jeremy Pivnick, House of the Rising Son. (Award-winner Paule Constable, Les Misérables is not pictured.)Wendie Malick and Christopher Gorham perform a short play by Paul Rudnick (from the NY production of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.)Co-winner for Writing, John Pollono, for Small Engine Repair. (Award-winner David Harrower, for Blackbird is not pictured.)Sean Branney of Theatre Banshee accepts the McCulloh Award for Revival for The Crucible (one of three winners in this category), with members of the company.The Angstrom Award for career achievement in lighting design was awarded to Lap Chi Chu, pictured with LADCC President Bob Verini.Bart DeLorenzo of Evidence Room accepts the Production Award for Margo Veil, with members of the company. Co-winner was also Small Engine Repair, Rogue Machine.Sam Anderson (Blackbird) and L. Scott Caldwell (A Raisin in the Sun) present an award, as David C. Nichols (LADCC) looks on.Yvette Tucker and Salvatore Vasallo perform, in honor of choreographer Lee Martino, recipient of the Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre.Co-winner for Solo Performance Charlayne Woodard, for The Night Watcher, who accepts her award as Seamus Dever and show co-producer Sharon Perlmutter (LADCC) look on. (Co-winner Tom Dugan, for Nazi Hunter – Simon Wiesenthal at Theatre 40 is not pictured.)Wren T. Brown of Ebony Repertory Theatre accepts the McCulloh Award for Revival for A Raisin in the Sun, with members of the company. (They were one of three winners in this category.)Miles Taber and Christina Aimerito Feinberg, of Rogue Artists Ensemble, presenting an award with Stillwater, the Panda puppet.Tom Dugan gets played off by host Jason Graae, while presenters Seamus Dever and Sharon Perlmutter (LADCC) look on.
