Photographers snapped away as a nattily dressed crowd of theater players gathered to celebrate in the atrium of MCASD La Jolla. Cocktails flowed as an a capella group serenaded the crowds in one corner.
The night's big winner was The Old Globe’s "August: Osage County," which won a slew of awards, including outstanding dramatic production. The crackling three-hour drama about a dysfunctional mid-western family also won an outstanding acting award for its ensemble cast. When the play opened last year, director Sam Gold said, "August: Osage County" is like catnip for actors. It’s 13 great parts."
Gold won for his direction and 82-year-old Lois Markle won for her powerhouse performance as the family matriarch.
The Old Globe also won top awards in the musical category, winning best resident musical for its production of "Emma." San Diego REP, Cygnet, ion, and Moonlight Theaters split most of the remaining awards in the musical categories.
A total of 27 awards were given out in front of a crowd of close to 400. (see full list of awards below)
North County Times theater critic Pam Kragen is the president of the San Diego Theater Critics Circle, which sponsors the Craig Noel Awards. "What we do is criticize. You know we spend our whole year talking about what is good and sometimes bad about theater. And our giving this award is our way of saying thank you to the theater community for the work they do."
A new award was added to the list this year, one honoring the work of small theaters. San Diego's ion theater won the Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Work at a Small Theater for its production of Tony Kushner’s two-part “Angels in America.” The award was launched to honor Don Braunagel, a longtime theater critic, who passed away in June 2011 at the age of 72. The annual cash prize of $600 will be reserved for theaters with fewer than 200 seats.
Recipients of the 2011 Craig Noel Awards:
Outstanding Dramatic Production
“August: Osage County,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Sam Gold, “August: Osage County,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Ensemble
“August: Osage County,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male
Manny Fernandes, “Of Mice and Men,” New Village Arts Theatre
Robert Foxworth, “Superior Donuts,” San Diego REPertory Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Female
Lois Markle, “August: Osage County,” The Old Globe
Rosina Reynolds, “The Glass Menagerie,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Female
Catalina Maynard, “Angels in America,” ion theatre
Diana Reasonover, “Stick Fly,” Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Male
David Ellenstein, “My Name is Asher Lev,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Touring Production
“Jesus Christ Superstar,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding New Play
Kirsten Greenidge, “Milk Like Sugar,” La Jolla Playhouse
Actor of the Year
Brian Mackey
Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Work at a Small Theater
ion theatre for “Angels in America”
Outstanding Resident Musical
“Jane Austen's Emma,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Sean Murray, “Cabaret,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female
Linda Libby, “Gypsy: A Musical Fable,” ion Theatre
Karson St. John, “Cabaret,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Male
B. Slade, “The Who’s Tommy,” San Diego REPertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male
Randall Hickman, “Hairspray,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
Katie Whalley, “Gypsy: A Musical Fable,” ion Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction
Steve Gunderson, “The Who’s Tommy,” San Diego REPertory Theatre
Outstanding Choreography
David Brannen, “Cabaret,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Music for a Play
Shaun Davey, “The Tempest,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Sound Design
Melanie Chen, “Angels in America,” ion Theatre
Deborah Gilmour Smyth, “The Book of the Dun Cow,” Lamb's Players Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Jennifer Brawn Gittings, “In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” San Diego REPertory Theatre
Jeanne Reith, “The Servant of Two Masters,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
Michael Gilliam, “Jane Austen's Emma,” The Old Globe
Karen Filijan, “Angels in America,” ion Theatre
Outstanding Set Design
Tobin Ost, “Jane Austen's Emma,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Young Artist/Sandra Ellis-Troy Scholarship
Lucia Vecchio, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Onstage Playhouse
Outstanding Special Event
“Susurrus,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Projection Design
Peter Nigrini, “Sleeping Beauty Wakes,” La Jolla Playhouse
