"What Would Jesus Do?" was the question of the night at the 38th Annual Vivian Robinson-Audelco Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre.
"Jesus," a play about HIV/AIDS written by Yvette Heyliger, took home seven awards, including dramatic production of the year. Close behind it was "Langston in Harlem," receiving four awards, including musical production of the year.
The event took place at the Harlem Stage Aaron Davis Hall on Monday night. The ceremony began at 7:30 p.m. with an opening performance of "We Are Family" by Impact Repertory Theatre, in accordance with the evening's theme.
Host Ron Lucas then took the stage and called out for his co-host, Melba Moore. Instead, after some silence, and a bit of giggling from the audience, actress Joyce Sylvester, appeared with a, "Sorry Ron, I'll be your co-host tonight." It appeared that Moore could not make the event.
The first award of the evening was best lighting, which went to James Carter for "Pecong," whose tearful acceptance speech of "I did not expect this," would be reiterated throughout the evening.
The recipient of the rising star award, 12-year-old Trey Rollins, repeated the sentiment, as did Glenn Turner, winner of outstanding performance in a musical by male.
It was not only the members on stage that spoke. The audience often replied to speakers reply with an "Amen." When Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood accepted the outstanding pioneer award, he led the crowd in a sing-along of "Jesus is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me."
At the post-award reception, some of the award winners voiced their reactions to the night's proceedings.
One recipient was David D. Wright, who won best sound design for "Oshun," which he wrote. "I'm really overjoyed," he said.
Toni Deniece Seawright, a cast member of "What Would Jesus Do," who also led the cast performance of the lead song from the play, felt the evening helped spread Heyliger's message about HIV/AIDS awareness.
"I am so excited for Yvette, she's been trying so hard to get our message across to the masses…I think tonight she accomplished that," she said. "Now, she can put that show up anywhere she wants to and people will take notice of it."
Thaddeus Daniels, a member of the Black Gents of Hollywood, who also won an Outstanding Pioneer Award, felt the evening was significant for its emphasis on black theater and on dialogue.
"[The Adelco Awards are] significant because it gives us a chance to honor what we do," he said. "To have something to say is very important…and we have to continue to tell our stories and have venues to tell our stories and the Adelco Awards…is a continuation of honoring that tradition."
List of awards and their recipients:
Lighting Design – James Carter for "Pecong"
Set Design – Patrice Davidson for "What Would Jesus Do?"
Costume Design – David Withrow for "Pecong"
Sound Design – David D. Wright for "Oshun"
The Rising Star Award – Trey Rollins
Board of Directors Award – Fulton C. Hodges, Fred & Barbara Powell
Director of a Dramatic Production – Imani for "Dr. May Edward Chinn"
Director of a Musical Production – Akin Babatunde for "Blind Lemon Blues"
Choreographer - Byron Easley for "Langston in Harlem."
Playwright – Yvette Heyliger for "What Would Jesus Do?"
Producer's Award – Woodie King, Jr
Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Production – Jamil A.C. Mangan for "What Would Jesus Do?"
Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Production – Johnnie Mae for "What Would Jesus Do?"
Outstanding Pioneer Award – Rhonda Passion, Roger Paris, Black Gents of Hollywood, Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood
Outstanding Producer – Woody King, Jr
Outstanding Performance in a Musical/Female – Kenita Miller for "Langston in Harlem"
Outstanding Performance in a Musical/Male – Glenn Turner for "Langston in Harlem"
Musical Production of the Year –"Langston in Harlem"
Outstanding Ensemble Performance: "August Wilson's Women"
Solo Performance – Daniel Beaty for "Through the Night"
Lead Actor – Jerome Preston Bates for "What Would Jesus Do?"
Lead Actress – Yvonne Farrow for "What Would Jesus Do?"
Best Revival – "Pecong"
Dramatic Production of the Year – "What Would Jesus Do?"