'Perestroika','Cole','Into the Woods' top AriZonis
From Staff Reports
Get Out
Sept. 22, 2003
Actors Theatre's 'Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika' and Phoenix Theatre's 'Cole' and 'Into the Woods' were the big winners Monday night at the 13th annual AriZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix
'Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika,' the second half of Tony Kushner's 1993 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about political and social issues of the 1980s, won seven AriZonis, including recognition for overall contracted production, actor in a major role (Jon Gentry and Oliver Wadsworth), actress in a major role (Natalie Messersmith) and director (Matthew Wiener).
'Cole,' a musical revue featuring the songs of Cole Porter, won eight AriZonis, including contracted musical, actor in a musical (Jim Graft), actress in a musical (Kristin Drathman and Natalie Ellis), director of a musical (Robert L. Harper), musical direction (Alan Ruch) and choreography (Robert L. Harper).
'Into the Woods,' Stephen Sondheim’s fairy-tale musical for adults, also won eight awards, including contracted musical, actor in a musical (D. Scott Withers), supporting actress in a musical (Stephanie Likes) and musical direction (Ron Colvard).
Patti Hannon, star of the long-running 'Late Nite Catechism' at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, won a Special Award of Recognition. 'Late Nite' also was honored in the category of professional touring production.
Approximately half of the Valley's theaters nominate productions for the AriZonis committee, which sends a five-judge panel to each.
This year's awards cover plays and musicals performed July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2003.
This year's 140 AriZoni winners:
CONTRACTED THEATRE
Overall Production- Contracted Play (Not Original)
"Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika," Actors Theatre
"Old Wicked Songs," Arizona Jewish Theatre Company
"Amadeus," Phoenix Theatre
Overall Production - Original Contracted Play
"Eric and Elliot," Childsplay
Overall Production - Contracted Musical (Not Original)
"Cole," Phoenix Theatre
"Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
Overall Production - Original Contracted Musical
"The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Actress in a Major Role - Contracted Play
Katie McFadzen, "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse," Childsplay
Natalie Messersmith, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika," Actors Theatre
Actress in a Major Role - Contracted Musical
Kristin Drathman, "Cole," Phoenix Theatre
Natalie Ellis, "Cole," Phoenix Theatre
Actor in a Major Role - Contracted Play
Robert Grossman, "Old Wicked Songs," Arizona Jewish Theatre Company
Jon Gentry, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika," Actors Theatre
Oliver Wadsworth, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika," Actors Theatre
Actor in a Major Role - Contracted Musical
Jim Graft, "Cole," Phoenix Theatre
D. Scott Withers, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Contracted Play
Katie McFadzen, "Charlotte's Web," Childsplay
Terey Summers, "Rumors," Phoenix Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Contracted Musical
Stephanie Likes, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
April Umbrianna, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Actor in a Supporting Role - Contracted Play
James Ward, "Love's Labour's Lost," Southwest Shakespeare Company
Richard Trujillo, "Comedy of Errors," Southwest Shakespeare Company
Actor in a Supporting Role - Contracted Musical
Scott Schmelder, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Chris Vaglio, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Director - Contracted Play
Matthew Wiener, " Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika," Actors Theatre
Alan Prewitt, "Three Little Pigs," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Director - Contracted Musical
Robert L. Harper, "Cole," Phoenix Theatre
Michael Barnard, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Musical Direction - Contracted Theatre
Alan Ruch, "Cole," Phoenix Theatre
Ron Colvard, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
Choreography - Contracted Theatre
Robert L. Harper, "Cole," Phoenix Theatre
Michael Barnard, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Scenic Design - Contracted Theatre
Gregory Jaye, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
Geoffrey Eroe, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Costume Design - Contracted Theatre
Connie Furr-Soloman, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
Gail Wolfended-Steib, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Hair and Make-up Design - Contracted Theatre
Manuela Needhammer, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
Manuela Needhammer, " Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika" Actors Theatre
Lighting Design - Contracted Theatre
Michael Eddy, "The Quiltmaker's Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Paul A. Black, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika," Actors Theatre
Sound Design - Contracted Theatre
David Temby, "Into the Woods," Phoenix Theatre
David Temby, "Cole" Phoenix Theatre
NON-CONTRACTED THEATRE
Overall Production - Non-Contracted Play (Not Original)
"Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
"The Road To Mecca," Algonquin Theater Company
Overall Production - Original Non-Contracted Play
"Timbuktu or Bust," On The Spot Productions
"Places to Touch Him," Teatro Bravo!
Overall Production - Non-Contracted Musical (Not Original)
"A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
"Secret Green" Fountain Hills Community Theater
Actress in a Major Role - Non-Contracted Play
Rebecca A. Siegel, "The Lion in Winter," The Shakespeare Theatre
Jaqueline Gaston, "The Road to Mecca," Algonquin Theater Company
Heather Harper, "Wait Until Dark," Tempe Little Theatre
Actress in a Major Role - Non-Contracted Musical
Lana Shumway, "The Sound of Music," Gilbert Fine Arts Associations
Kathi Osborne, "Once Upon a Mattress," Fountain Hills Community Theater
Actor in a Major Role - Non-Contracted Play
Christian Miller, "The Life and Death of King Richard III," The Shakespeare Theatre
Gil Berry, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
Roy Hunt, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Theater
Jason Barth, "The Shape of Things," Nearly Naked Theater
Actor in a Major Role - Non-Contracted Musical
Jason Lee MacDonald, "Secret Garden," Fountain Hills Community Theater
Jere Van Patten, "Lucky Stiff," Mesa Community Colleges Act 1 Musical Productions
Actress in a Supporting Role - Non-Contracted Play
Athena Reiss, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
Martha Brooks, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
Actress in a Supporting Role - Non-Contracted Musical
Christyn Schroeder, "A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Margo Pyne, "A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Actor in a Supporting Role - Non-Contracted Play
Charles Sohn, "The Road to Mecca," Algonquin Theater Company
Terry Gadaire, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
Actor in a Supporting Role - Non-Contracted Musical
Tyler Chad Service, "Secret Garden," Fountain Hills Community Theater
Todd Carrie, "Secret Garden," Fountain Hills Community Theater
Guest Actor -Non-Contracted Play
Robyn Allen, "The Road to Mecca," Algonquin Theater Company
Guest Actor - Non-Contracted Musical
Daniel Irvine, "A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Director - Non-Contracted Play
Randy Messersmith, "The Road to Mecca," Algonquin Theater Company
Peter J. Hill, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
Director - Non-Contracted Musical
Graham Whitehead, "A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Gregory Jaye, "A Secret Garden," Fountain Hills Community Theater
Musical Direction - Non-Contracted Theatre
Flora Mogerman, "A Secret Garden," Fountain Hills Community Theater
William Reber, " A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Choreography - Non-Contracted Theatre
Jo Ann Yoeman, "A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Scenic Design - Non-Contracted Theatre
Paul Bridgeman, "Little Women," Grand Canyon University
T.J. Weltzien, "Plaza Suite," Tempe Little Theatre
Costume Design - Non-Contracted Theatre
Timothy Slope & T.J. Weltzien, "Camelot," Tempe Little Theatre
Nola Yergen-Jenninhs, "Little Women," Grand Canyon University
Lighting Design - Non-Contracted Theatre
Laura Troyan, "Camelot," Tempe Little Theatre
Paul Black, "A Chorus Line," ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Sound Design - Non-Contracted Theatre
Randy Messersmith, "The Road to Mecca," Algonquin Theater Company
Peter J. Hill, "Lend Me a Tenor," Copperstate Dinner Theater
CHILDREN'S THEATRE
Overall Production - Children's Play (Not Original)
"Swiss Family Robinson," East Valley Children's Theatre
"Honorable Urashima Taro & Shining Princess of Slender Bamboo," Vagabond Youth Theater
Overall Production - Original Children's Play
"Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Overall Production - Children's Musical (Not Original)
"Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
"The Wiz," Valley Youth Theatre
Overall Production - Original Children's Musical
"Hansel & Gretel; Runaways," Fountains Hills Youth Theater
"The Floating Princess," East Valley Children's Theatre
Actress in a Major Role - Children's Play
Brittany Johnson, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountains Hills Youth Theater
Cyndi Callejas, "Alice in Wonderland," Valley Youth Theatre
Actress in a Major Role - Children's Musical
Chelsea Cannon, "Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Erin Hines, "Bye Bye Birdie," Gilbert Fine Arts Association's
Jen Temen, "Guys and Dolls," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Amanda Glenn, "Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Actor in a Major Role - Children's Play
Matt Krause, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Matt Gerber, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountains Hills Youth Theater
Actor in a Major Role - Children's Musical
Tyler Smalley, "Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Tyler Smalley, "Guys and Dolls," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Children's Play
Emily Stone, "Alice in Wonderland," Valley Youth Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Children's Musical
Veronica Peters, "Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Kyla Druckman, "Hansel & Gretel; Runaways," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Actor in a Supporting Role - Children's's Play
Chad Gilbert, "Alice in Wonderland," Valley Youth Theatre
Brandon Wiley, "Alice in Wonderland," Valley Youth Theatre
Actor in a Supporting Role - Children's Musical
Ty Ziskis, "Guys and Dolls," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Anthony Jackson, "Honk!," Valley Youth Theatre
Guest Actor - Children's Musical
Ethan Lawrence, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Valley Youth Theatre
Director - Children's Play
Ross Collins, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Bruce Laks, "Swiss Family Robinson," East Valley Children's Theatre
Director - Children's Musical
Stephanie Likes, "Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
D. Scott Withers, "Snoopy!!!," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Musical Direction - Children's Theatre
Alan J. Plado, "Les Miserables," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Bryce Budge, "Rodgers and Hammerstein's, A Grand Night for Singing," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Choreography - Children's Theatre
Laurie Case, "Snoopy!!!," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
Robert L. Harper, "The Wiz," Valley Youth Theatre
Scenic Design - Children's Theatre
Jeff Blake, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Paul Bridgeman, "The Little Mermaid," Valley Youth Theatre
Costume Design - Children's Theatre
Cari S. Smith, "Honorable Urashima Taro & Shining Princess of Slendor Bamboo," Vagabond Youth Theater
Gail Oliphant, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Karol Cooper & Sandi Long, "The Wiz," Valley Youth Theatre
Hair and Make-up - Children's Theatre
Karol Cooper, "The Wiz," Valley Youth Theatre
Karol Cooper, "The Little Mermaid," Valley Youth Theatre
Lighting Design - Children's Theatre
Erik Michael, "Honorable Urashima Taro & Shining Princess of Slendor Bamboo," Vagabond Youth Theater
Michael Eddy, "Theb Wiz," Valley Youth Theatre
Sound Design - Children's Theatre
Ross Collins, Kyla Druckman & Denise Kelleher, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Scott Kirkorsky, "Guys and Dolls," Greasepaint Scottsdale Youtheatre
ORIGINAL WRITING
Original Script - Play
Ross Collins, "Whowhatwhenwhyhow," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Original Script - Musical
Alam Prewitt, "The Quiltmakers Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Ross Collins, "Hansel& Gretel; Runaways," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
Original Music Composition
Craig Bohmler & Stephen Kohn, "The Quiltmakers Gift," Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Miciah Dodge & Ross Collins, "Hasel & Gretel; Runaways," Fountain Hills Youth Theater
PROFESSIONAL TOURING PRODUCTIONS
Overall Production
"Late Nite Catechism," Scottsdale Center for the Arts
OTHER AWARDS
Outstanding Contribution Award
Val Stasik
Distinguished Service Award
Phoenix Arts Commission
Special Awards of Recognition
Patti Hannon, "Late Nite Catechism," Scottsdale Center for the Arts