The Capital Critics Circle today announced the nominees for the nineteenth annual English-language theatre awards for plays presented in the National Capital Region during the 2016-2017 season.

The nominees are:

Best community production

Equivocation by Bill Cain, directed by Alain Chamsi, Kanata Theatre

Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz, directed by Geoff Gruson, Ottawa Little Theatre

A Man of No Importance, book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, directed by Maxim David, indie women productions

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (The Musical) book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, TotoToo Theatre, directed by Michael Gareau, musical direction by John McGovern, choreography by Paddy Allen McCarthy

Ragtime book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, Orpheus Musical Theatre Society, directed by Bob Lackey, musical direction by Terry Duncan, choreography by Lisa Wagner, Orpheus Musical Theatre Society.

 

Best director (community)

Alain Chamsi for his direction of Equivocation

Michael Gareau for his direction of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Geoff Gruson for his direction of Other Desert Cities.

Sarah Hearn for her direction of Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein, TotoToo Theatre

Venetia Lawless for her direction of Old Love by Norm Foster, Ottawa Little Theatre

Lola Ryan for her choreography of Spring Awakening, the Musical, book and lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind, directed by Chantale Plante, musical direction by Paul Legault, Orpheus Musical Theatre Society.

 

Best actor (community)

Réjean Dinelle-Mayer for his performance as Bernadette in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Brooke Keneford for his performance as Ralph in Last Romance by Joe DiPietro, Kanata Theatre

Sam Dietrich for his performance as Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy

J. Taylor Morris for his performance as Robert in Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camelotti, translated by Beverley Cross (1982) and Francis Evans (2007), directed by Shaun Toohey, Ottawa Little Theatre

Shaun Toohey for his performance as Alfie in A Man of No Importance

Gordon Walls for multiple roles in Equivocation.

 

Best actress (community)

Melanie Houde for her performance as Lise in Plan B by Michael Healey, directed by André Dimitrijevic, Phoenix Players

Venetia Lawless for her performance as Brooke in Other Desert Cities

Jane Morris for her performance as Polly in Other Desert Cities

Deanna Renée Yorke for her performance as Molly in Old Love.

 

Best design (community)

Lu-Anne Connell for her costumes for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Andrea Hamlin for her set design for Other Desert Cities

Graham Price for the set and lighting for The Three Musketeers by Ken Ludwig, directed by Stavros Sakiadis, Ottawa Little Theatre

John Solman for the lighting design for Little Shop of Horrors, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, directed by Don Fex with musical direction by Chris Lucas and choreography by Brenda Solman, Theatre Kraken

Karl Wagner for the set and lighting for Equivocation.

 

Best new play

Burn by John Muggleton, directed by Venetia Lawless, Cue Penny Productions

Finishing the Suit by Lawrence Aronovitch

The Ghomeshi Effect written and directed by Jessica Ruano, with choreography by Amelia Griffin

Beneath written and directed by Doug Phillips, NW9 Theatre Collective.

The Audrey Ashley Award for a body of work will be announced on Monday, November 13 at the awards ceremony, to be held at the National Arts Centre from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Winners will receive cash awards, plaques and commemorative certificates.

 

Congratulations to all nominees!