'Tis the season for awards! And on Jan. 27 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel it was the NAACP Theatre Committee's turn to honor and acknowledge its favorites in local theatre for 2002. This is the 13th year for the awards show, and this year's theme, Past, Present, and the Future, continues the organization's tradition of commending those individuals and production companies who portrays diverse images of African-Americans and who have made significant contributions to theatre in Southern California.
Like most awards shows, this one ran far too long—three hours or so—and some of the attendees lingering and talking it up near the bar were a tad distracting. Nevertheless, the mistress and master of ceremonies for the evening, actors Dawn Lewis and William Allen Young—along with the performances between presentations—helped to hold our attention. An assorted group of presenters also helped keep things moving, among them: Loretta Devine, Traci and Babyface Edmonds, Russell Hornsby, Vernee Watson-Johnson, Phil Morris, Reginald Vel Johnson, Mo'Nique, JoMarie Payton, Vanessa D. Williams, Dorien Wilson, Lorraine Toussaint, Charlayne Woodard, and Bill Duke.
Appropriately enough, the night's production numbers started with a medley of African-American musical theatre songs under the music direction of Larry Farrow and featuring the delightful sounds of The Fat Girls, followed by a performance from the young ensemble cast of Mark Swinton's Ephraim's Song.
Ephraim's Song was also the night's biggest winner, receiving four awards in the local theatre category for Best Playwright (Swinton), Best Director (Swinton), Best Musical Director (Ron Hasley, Fernando Pullum, and Anthony Llorens), and Best Choreographer (Sandy Alvarez, Nicole Smith, Malesha Brown, and Terrica Banks). The enthusiastic youngsters gave audience members an entertaining taste of the show—which producers plan on reopening this summer, in case you missed it. Their upbeat and exciting number was reminiscent of scenes from the 1993 feature film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. The other big winner of the evening was Guys & Dolls in the Equity category, which took home a total of six awards, including Best Produced Play, Best Director—Musical, Best Musical Director, Best Performance Female, Best Supporting Male, and Best Choreography. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any performance snippet showcasing the show's excellence that evening.
But offering a memorable performance was the cast of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, which won the Best Ensemble award in the local theatre category for its interpretation and incorporation of the deaf and speaking communities. Originally a collection of stories told by seven women, this powerhouse revival was performed by a group of hearing and deaf actresses in tandem.
Special awards went to Sheryl Lee Ralph (Trailblazer Award), who provided the night's funniest moment with her remark upon receiving her award, "Where's the rest of the dinner?" referring to the plate of appetizers served at each table. Bernard and Shirley Kinsey received the Community Service Award for their expertise and leadership in the field of urban revitalization and economic development. Actor Art Evans, who received a theatre award in 2001 for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal in The Dreamers at the Inglewood Playhouse, was presented with the Spirit Award for his contributions to the film and theatre industry. Lifetime Achievement award winner Ben Vereen was obviously overwhelmed by his recognition for his enduring success. Said Vereen, "I'm honored and at the same time I'm at a loss for words. Receiving this award means a great deal more than they could ever imagine."
A complete list of "Best" winners follows:
Local—Supporting performance female: Karen Malina White, The Talented Tenth at Ron Richards Productions and BLE Productions at the 4305 Village Theatre; Supporting performance male: Sean Blakemore, Saturday Night at the Palace, Furious Theatre Company at the Armory West; Lighting: Christopher Akerlind, King Lear, the Center for New Theater at Calarts at the Brewery Arts Complex; Costumes: Victoria Miranda, The Lady's Not for Burning, the Road Theatre Company at the Lankershim Arts Center; Set design: Joel David, Blues for an Alabama Sky at Actors Circle Theatre; Choreography: Sandy Alvarez, Nicole Smith, Maiesha Brown, and Terrica Banks, Ephraim's Song, Stephen and Carrie Odell Theatre Arts Academy at Washington Preparatory High School; Music director: Ron Hasley, Fernando Pullum, and Anthony Llorens, Ephraim's Song; Director, musical: Mark Swinton, Ephraim's Song; Playwright: Mark Swinton, Ephraim's Song; Director: Damaso Rodriguez, Saturday Night at the Palace; Ensemble: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Amen Entertainment, in association with Sheree Devereaux, at the Globe Playhouse; Performance female: Fran Bennett, King Lear; Performance male: Wil Bowers, Insurrection; Produced play: Susan Solt and Carol Bixler, King Lear.
Equity—Supporting performance female: Carol Woods, The Full Monty, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre; Supporting performance male: H. Clent Bowers, Guys & Dolls, Broadway/L.A. at the Wilshire Theatre; Lighting: Brian MacDevitt, Into The Woods, Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre; Sound: Dan Moses Schreier, Into the Woods; Costumes: Lyn E. Talbert, Scott Julion, and Robert Morgan, Love Makes Things Happen, David E. Talbert Productions at the Wilshire Theatre; Set design: Dewayne Porter, Loves Makes Things Happen; Choreography: Ken Roberson, Guys & Dolls; Musical director: Danny Kosarin, Guys & Dolls; Playwright: Athol Fugard, Master Harold… and the boys, International City Theatre at the Center Theater in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center; Director: Athol Fugard, Sorrows and Rejoicings, Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum; Performance female: Alexandra Foucard, Guys & Dolls; Performance male: Cleavant Derricks, The Full Monty; Produced play: Richard Martini, Jonathan Reinis, Allen, Spivak, Adam Friedson, Albert Nocciolino, Guys & Dolls.