We don’t know who Tony or Oscar were, but we do know who created the award for New York’s best supporting players: Broadway vet and DCTS columnist Richard Seff. The Richard Seff Award, begun in 2003, honors the season’s best performances by character actors age 50 or older. A panel of judges make the nominations, and Actors Equity administers and presents them.
This year’s winners are Hallie Foote (for Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate) and David Rasche (for Checkhov’s The Seagull). Ms Foote was unable to attend the June 10 ceremony. David Rasche, in his acceptance speech, said that even though the work itself is a reward, and the support that comes from family, friends and colleagues is nourishing, after thirty years onstage one occasionally wonders: “Is anybody I don’t know out there watching?” which is particularly why he was so happy to receive the award. “I knew exactly what he meant, for I have walked in those shoes myself.” Richard Seff told us after the presentation.
On his latest swing through Washington, Richard talked with Joel Markowitz about why he created the award. Listen here.
