by Joel Markowitz
Feb 25 — The 2008 Helen Hayes Awards nominations were announced by President and CEO Linda Levy Grossman tonight at the Gallery of The National Theatre. She told a standing room only crowd that 189 productions met the eligibility requirements for the Awards, and a record 149 nominated artists and productions were named in 24 categories.
Their productions are often silent, but Synetic Theatre’s numerous nominations rang out loud and clear for their productions of Hamlet..The Rest is Silence, The Fall of The House of Usher and Macbeth. Synetic choreographer Irina Tsikurishvili received 3 separate nominations for her choreography.
Eric Schaeffer and Signature Theatre continued their annual collection of nominations for their Sondheim productions of Into The Woods and Merrily We Roll Along, for The Witches of Eastwick, and for the Eric Schaeffer-directed Ford’s Theatre production of Meet John Doe. Racking up many nominations were The Women of Brewster Place at Arena Stage and the Kennedy Center’s My Fair Lady.
But for this musicals lover, a huge grin and loud “YES!” followed the announcements that two of my favorite musicals – Reefer Madness at Studio Theatre and Titanic at Toby’s- The Dinner Theatre of Columbia were included in the Best Resident Musical category.
And in the Resident musical acting categories, it was no surprise that Bobby Smith and Donna Migliaccio were nominated for their outrageously hysterical performances in Metro Stage’s The Musicals of Musicals-the Musical! , Will Gartshore for Merrily We Roll Along, Marc Kudisch as the Devil himself for The Witches of Eastwick, as well as Carolee Carmello for Saving Amy, Tina Fabrique who burned up the Arena Stage in Ella, and Heidi Blickenstaff for her blazing performance in Meet John Doe.
What was a pleasant surprise, for which I am still grinning was that Andrew Sonntag and Larry Redmond were nominated for their hilarious performances in Reefer Madness, and that Matthew Gardiner’s manic choreography was also nominated. Two of my personal favorites were recognized for their fine work – Tracy Lynn Olivera for Merrily We Roll Along at Signature Theatre and Karen Kandel for Peter and Wendy at Arena Stage. I was so happy when my two favorite plays of last year were recognized with numerous nominations – Souvenir at Studio Theatre and 33 Variations at Arena Stage. How nice to see Theater Alliance, Rorschach Theatre, Keegan Theatre, Theater J, Solas Nua and Woolly Mammoth Theatre be recognized for their for their outstanding productions of Insurrection: Holding History, References to Salvador Dali Makes Me Hot, Alone it Stands, Pangs of The Messiah, Scenes from the Big Picture, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, The Unmentionables, and She Stoops To Comedy.
The complete listing of categories and nominees is posted on the Helen Hayes Awards website.
We’ll have reactions from the nominees coming in April, leading up to the exciting and glamorous Helen Hayes Awards night April 28th at the Warner Theatre.
Agreed. Never seen anything realer on a DC stage!
I was so glad to see Erik Lieberman among the nominees for MERRILY. His performance was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
I too agree that Matthew Baughman was completely ROBBED of a Helen Hayes nomination for his work in Landless Theatre Company’s “Flowers for Algernon”.
The performance required him to go back and forth from being severely mentally retarded to being a complete genius… this is not an easy task.
I think smaller theatre’s like Landless need to be taken more seriously because if this same performance were with a more “credible” theatre like Studio, Roundhouse or Signature… he would be nominated and WIN.
I’m not condemning any of the actors who were nominated in the catagory, but it’s high time that more deserving names were added to the list.
In honor of Ms. Andrews (Julie, that is), someone should bankroll the EGO (EGregiously Overlooked) Awards.
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.
Along with smaller theatres never seeming to get recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards, children’s theatre never seem to earn any nominations.
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.
Congratulations to all the nominees. I have to say that I’m surprised that Alexander Strain was not nominated for his portrayal as Caligula.
Everyone keep your ‘missed’ lists handy for this year’s DCTS Audience Choice Awards. You’ll have a chance to nominate, along with our reviewers this year, and to vote. We cover the season: Sept thru August with a call for nominations mid-August.
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:
https://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.
https://dctheatrescene.com/2007/09/06/the-audience-choice-awards-show/
Congratulations to all the nominees.
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! 😉
Not all shows will receive their proper honor in these nominations, that’s just the nature of this beast, and of subjectivity. Congratulations to all the nominees, and especially to the smaller theatres working in the ‘trenches’. One aspect of the Helen Hayes that I am somewhat annoyed with is the way design is treated. I see the same names over and over again in reference to Costumes, Sound, Set, Lights–and most at big-budgeted theatres. Design is not just about spectacle, it also about best using your resources (even if limited) to create magic on stage. I would like to see smaller theatres have more recognition in the Design field.
It was exciting to see the list and tally up just how many of the shows I saw.
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.
Thanks for remembering Matt’s performance, Debbie! We small theatres don’t have a lot of resources, but we do build productions around the resources that we have. Incidentally, you can see Matt in our DC Premiere of Gutenberg! The Musical! at DCAC, March 13-April 6.
From the perspective of one small theatre company, I think it’s challenging to compare our type of work to the big-budget theatres in town, and vice-versa. I have often hoped that someone would create an “OBIE” type award to recognize the theatres working in the trenches to build a diverse DC alternative theatre scene – and with WSC, Spooky Action, Molotov and many others, there are a lot of us!
On behalf of Landless, we are thrilled and proud to see past actors and directors among the nominees this year. Good luck to all!!!
Best,
Andrew L. Baughman
Producing Artistic Director
The Landless Theatre Company
Congratulations to Everyone Nominated!
However, I have to agree with Paula, that Helen Hayes Awards seems to always overlook the smaller theares. There some performances/productions that get left out because they don’t have the bells & whistles that the big theatre have. A prime example of this is Matt Bachman who played Charlie in “Flowers For Algeron” with the tiny Landless Theater. I was floored by his performance and if he was in a larger theatre, he would have been nominated and maybe even have a legit chance in winning.
I hope in future years this will change but I do doubt it.
First I must say thank you for the “YES” and the kind message you left me. I was floored when I heard from Michael, and it still hasn’t quite hit me. It’s such an honor just to be mentioned in the same sentence as the likes of Marc, Will, Larry, and of course my long time teacher and friend, Bobby Smith. I grew to a better understanding of why we do what we do these past two years, and having fallen in love with the quality and integrity of the DC theatre community, I must express how humbling it is to be recognized as a real part of it. I look forward to seeing you at the reception, and thanks again for the support!
PEACE,
Andrew
Hey there, Joel!
I was actually responding not to your comment but to this one: “Several of the shows nominated for Best Musical received mixed or bad reviews across the board. There is something wrong with the judging process that allowed this to happen.”
YIKES.
To say that if a show gets good reviews that it is HH worthy, and that if it does not than it is not, is giving an awful lot of power to a few subjective opinions. In no way do I mean to insult critics, either, but let’s keep things in perspective, no? While I didn’t see it, I have NO DOUBT (based on what I’ve heard from many who saw it) that “Musical of Musicals” was an awesome production. I’m not arguing that — and I think return visits by audience members certainly counts as a very good indication that a show is doing something right. It was the larger implication (about reviews) that made me want a drink. Speaking of which, HECK YEAH you can buy me one! … Is it too early in the day? …. How ’bout now?
🙂
Also – YES, YES! Big congrats to all the nominees. And to all those overlooked, too. There is so much wonderful work in this town; what a joy it is to be a theater lover in DC.
It may be “show biz” but I have to wonder why the smaller theatre companies don’t appear to rack up a lot of nominations. A good number of them don’t have fancy performance spaces, or large budgets, but for the most part many are known to produce quality work. Is there something in this process that precludes more inclusion of the smaller companies, or is the D.C. snobbery at its best??
To Theater_For_All: My point was that it’s rare that all the critics in town rave about a show- and are correct! I never said the show deserved to be nominated because the critics liked it. Did you see Musical of Musicals? If you did, you would probably agree with me and others that it was worthy to be on the list of nominees for Best Resident Musical with the other nominees.
And may I offer my congratulation to all the Helen Hayes Nominees whose fantastic work graced our local stages. Good luck on April 28th.
Can I buy you a drink now?
I would like to make this point about the Helen Hayes nominations Awards and how much stock I put in them.
Amy McWilliams Does Not Have One!!
Not to take away anything from the people who have been nominated or received them but the fact that Amy doe not have one just shows you that awards and reviews are just matters of opinion. That’s all.
They should not be seen as the definitive voice on whether an actor is any good or not.
Because God knows that Amy McWilliams is amazingly talented and a truly stand out actor and singer.
To all those who were nominated I offer you congratulations.
To all those who were not nominated just remember you are in good company.
That’s the show biz! When you have awards, someone is always left out. I am also disappointed that “The Musical of Musicals –
The Musical” wasn’t nominated for Best Resident Musical. I don’t get it. It was the best reviewed musical this year. I can’t remember when every critic in town agreed on a production, and most of all, the audiences laughed themselves silly, and came back again and again to see it. I saw it 6 times. Local actors, directors and theatre mavens voted for it and it won DCTS’s First Audience Choice Awards for Best Musical. The good news is that Donna Migliaccio and Bobby Smith were nominated for their hysterical performances, and Dan Kazemi was nominated for his musical direction.
I am ecstatic that “Titanic” at Toby’s-Columbia was nominated for Best Resident Musical, for its direction and musical direction. “Titanic” was a brilliant production with incredible performances and stunning costumes, staging and lighting. I saw it 3 times in NYC, but this production was so much better and intimate. Congrats to directors Toby Orenstein and Larry Munsey and musioal director Chris Youstra on their nominations and for their “ship-shape” production I will never forget it!
It would be nice to see the local critics from The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Examiner, Metro Weekly, The Blade and City Paper review Toby’s productions in Columbia. They already make the trip to review Rep Stage’s wonderful produictions, and Toby’s is a 5 minute drive from Rep Stage. And to local theatre goers, it’s not that far to drive to Columbia and Toby’s Baltimore location. You don’t know what you are missing! It’s well worth the drive.
I wish to congratulate and celebrate all of the nominees. The Washington theater community, in 2007, produced a wealth of amazing and moving performances. I am glad to see some of my favorites of this past year recognized: Dead Man’s Cell Phone, The Taming of the Shrew, References to Salvador Dali Makes Me Hot, among others. I am even happy to see that some of the judges found value in the dreadful (and to me offensive) The Women of Brewster Place. Kudos Washington.
“I hope someone fixes it”. bwahahahahah!!
Theatergoer. You must be joking. Are you joking? The Helen Hayes judges should follow the CRITICS?!?!?!?!
Good lord. I need a drink.
I have looked at the list of nominees and am really amazed that The Musical of Musicals at MetroStage was omitted for Best Musical. That show got rave reviews from every single theater critic. Five great performers, three of whom were nominated for HH awards this year. I personally know people who came back 3 and 4 times. Several of the shows nominated for Best Musical received mixed or bad reviews across the board. There is something wrong with the judging process that allowed this to happen. The judges need better training or more specific criteria, or something. It is not fair, or credible. I hope someone fixes it.