"The Power to the Word" was the fitting theme for the 26th Annual Vivian Robinson Audelco Awards ceremony which paid tribute to excellence in black theatre and three award-winning playwrights at the Marian Anderson Theatre in City College's Aaron Davis Hall on Mon., Nov. 16.
The acclaimed writer and poet Ntozake Shange hosted the evening's festivities. The Pioneer Awards were bestowed on three titans of the Black Arts Movement whose influence has spanned three decades: prolific playwright Ed Bullins ("In the Wine Time"), the multi-talented wordsmith Amiri Baraka ("Dutchman"), and dramatic trailblazer Melvin Van Peebles‹ known for his ground-breaking play, "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death."
The majority of Audelcos went to the long-distance runners among New York's black theatre companies, H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players and the 30-year old National Black Theatre, which each captured five awards.
"And to live this long and I don't mind saying it, 84 years," said Gertrude Jeanette, H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players founder and director, upon accepting the award for dramatic production of the year for "Bolt from the Blue." "I've been directing plays in the community since 1950. I want to thank Audelco for this night‹one that I'll never forget."
Audelco honors garnered by H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players included set design for Steve Walker's work on "Bolt from the Blue;" best supporting actress to Kimberly Purnell in "Glady's Dilemma;" outstanding director for a dramatic production for Jeanette, and best leading actress to Janice Jenkins for her standout performance in "Bolt from the Blue."
The National Black Theatre's long-running hit, "Satan Never Sleeps," took home the three Audelcos: director of a musical for the talented Ronald Wyche; musical direction to Jimmy Miller, and the coveted outstanding musical production of the year.
"I want to thank Ronald Wyche for writing such a wonderful play. He called my house looking for someone else and I went to the audition," confessed Jerome Shavers who literally hopped for joy when he accepted the annual recognition for best male performance in the title role. Christopher Pierre won the lighting design award for his excellent visual effects on NBT's "Nzinga's Children."
Actor-playwright Joe Edward could not stop saying and even singing "I am so grateful," when he received the Audelco for ensemble performance and then added with a touch of irony, "I guess nobody knows I wrote "Fly." But I know and I'm grateful." Produced by the American Place Theatre, this highly-acclaimed production which co-starred veteran actor Arthur French also beat out the competition for sound design by David Wright and outstanding ensemble direction by Wynn Handman.
Marcel Christian accepted the Judy Dearing Costume Design award for "Julius Caesar Set in Africa" produced by the Nuyorican Poets' Caf . He advised the audience, "Where there is no technicolor competition, there can be no multi-cultural progress."
George Faison won yet another honor for his excellence in choreography for the hit musical, "Dinah Was," still playing at the Gramercy Theatre. Michael Broughton was a surprise winner for outstanding solo performance in "Jim Beckwourth."
There was a tie between honorees for outstanding female performance in a musical between Adriane Lenox in "Dinah Was" and Sandra Reeves-Phillips in AMAS Repertory Theatre's "Rollin' on the T.O.B.A."
"My Husband Has Gone Mad Again," produced by the Africa Arts Theatre, walked away with two Audelcos. Fulton Hedges bested the competition for the supporting actor distinction and Gregor Manns took home the outstanding lead actor Audelco.
Playwright of the year went to Lillie Marie Redwood for "Imperfection Flawed," a Billie Holiday Theatre production. In a simple but moving homage to Audelco, Redwood closed her remarks saying, "I thank Audelco because they are the sunshine of black theatre."
"I want to see Audelco on prime time TV," said founding Audelco member, Renee Chenoweth, upon receiving this year's Board of Directors Award.