I find the award nomination process fascinating from a mathematical perspective. When you take into account two key variables (the number of eligible productions and the number of judges) and run some scenarios (a little set theory, a little probability theory) based on the process by which nominees and awardees are chosen, widely acclaimed productions, including those by the smaller theatres, can wash out as a statistical artifact despite favorable nods from several judges. Processes which strive for consensus can lead to unanticipated compromises. Instead of excellence, you get “regression toward the mean.”

The 2000 Tonys is a wonderful case in point. That season there were three supporting actresses whose performances were vital to their respective shows and each of them literally stopped their show twice nightly with stellar, star-quality performances: Lea DeLaria as Hildy (On the Town), Sheri Rene Scott as Amneris (Aida), and Amy Spanger as Lois/Bianca (Kiss Me, Kate). Some audiences were actually on their feet with riotous applause. All three were apparently forgotten by the Tony nominators. Ironically, two of the nominations in this category went to Karen Ziemba (winner) and Deborah Yates who appeared in “Contact.” You remember “Contact”: dance set to canned music (i.e., no singing and no orchestra). It came on the heels (or heels and toes sans tutus) of “Swan Lake” by Matthew Bourne (5 Tony nominations; 3 wins). “Contact” and “Swan Lake” nabbing Tony nominations in the “musical” category is like Marlee Matlin winning American Idol. I don’t know if I’m such a purist that I’d begrudge a nomination to an actress playing Susan the Silent in a revival of “Finian’s Rainbow,” but the thought of three exceptional singing actresses being trounced by mute performers is pretty weird.

I’m disappointed by some of the Helen Hayes inclusions and exclusions, but as surely as there’s madness in the method, there are going to be anomolies in the results.

There are several theatres in the area doing excellent productions for family audiences - Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre, Discovery, etc. Perhaps HH should create a special category now that more and more theatres are doing shows for young audiences.

Just this past winter I saw a production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at Adventure theatre - with only two actors playing all of the roles. The two actors in that show did a phenomenal job going back and forth between multiple characters and giving each one a life and depth that you rarely see in such shows. These two actors seem to be doubly doomed never to be recognized because it was a production at a small theatre AND the show was geared toward children. It seems such a shame.

You think it’s easy to pick the best shows? Wait til you have to limit it to your top 5.

In case you missed last year’s voting:
http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/08/20/audience-choice-awards/

And, of course, our big, splashy Awards show will be back. Listen to last year’s ceremony as James Konicek hosts and Scott McCormick tries to steal the show.
http://dctheatrescene.com/2007/09/06/the-audience-choice-awards-show/

I am thrilled to see that Rorschach Theatre and Shirley Serotsky have made the lists. There is a ton of great theatre being produced in this town by what the establishment has deemed ’smaller’ companies. These productions deserve to be recognized.

I also wish that Matt Baughman had been nominated for his performance in ‘Flowers for Algernon’. Put simply, it was breath-taking. While we’re on the subject, Landless Theatre’s production of ‘Batboy! The Musical’ was one of THE BEST shows I’ve seen all year!

I hope that Landless Theatre Company will continue to produce this level of credible, quality work. If they do, they will not need a separate award system to garner the recognition that they so richly deserve. Bravo!!!

PS: Any chance of a ‘Batboy’ reunion show?!?! I think you’d definitely have the audience!

Here’s what’s missing though:

My Children! My Africa! was the best production I saw all year, no competition. I wish it had been nominated for more - like Play, Direction, and of course, Ensemble. I hope James Brown-Orleans wins Best Actor, but I wish Andrew Long would have gotten a nomination for his work in Olney Theatre’s Democracy. His performance as Willy Brandt was spot-on perfect.

Also, if the productions at Toby’s can get nominated, why don’t the Helen Hayes Awards include all of Baltimore so the fine work at Everyman Theatre can be recognized?

I seem to be the only person unimpressed with Titanic. I thought the costumes were great, and the staging excellent, but that the acting was ultimately unable to overcome the inadequacies of the script. But you can’t ignore the fact that everyone else loved it, so perhaps it was just not for me.