Le Chat Noir owner Barbara Motley and Theatre Person of the Year John Biguenet.
The outrageously quick-witted, tart and entertaining Bianca Del Rio (aka Roy Haylock) hosted the Big Easy Theatre Awards on Monday, March 24, at Harrah's Theatre. Over the course of the evening honoring achievements in drama in 2007, however, it was the richness of the local theater community that stole the show. Playwright John Biguenet was honored as the Big Easy's first Theatre Person of the Year and also won the award for best original play for Rising Water. He discussed the importance of New Orleans in creating his Pulitzer Prize-nominated play after some colleagues suggested he make the Katrina play more universal.
'Instead, I pushed it to be more local, not universal. Shakespeare wrote for Londoners. Euripides wrote for Athenians," he told the audience. 'I wanted to provide a stage for an issue cities need to discuss. How can the greatest nation on Earth abandon one of its cities to death and destruction?"
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Editor Clancy DuBos, Publisher Margo DuBos, Best Choreographer winner Kelly Fouchi and Business Recognition Award winner Marc Fouchi
On stage, the city's theater scene has dealt with tragedy in kind, with two original dramas about Katrina nominated for Best Original Play " and also with comedy. Becky Allen was honored for a lifetime in local theater. Having done everything from serious drama to musicals, comedy and cabaret, she encapsulated why she's stayed in the city. 'I'd rather work for New Orleans people than anyone else because they love me hard, hard, hard," she said.
The awards celebrated a rich year in theater " one which encompassed the testing of faith in Doubt, the legacy of racism in Purlie, the dark humor of The Lieutenant of Inishmore and the glitz of Sugar Babies. Doubt took home six awards including Best Drama, Best Director, Best Actor in a Drama and Best Actress in a Drama. The Lieutenant of Inishmore captured four honors, including Best Comedy, Best Director of a Comedy and Best Actor. Le Petit's Purlie won three awards including Best Actor, Actress and Supporting Actress in a Musical.
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Cammie West and presenter Sean Patterson
The evening also included a look forward; next year will see awards for cabaret performance. The Business Achievement Award went to Marc Fouchi for creating Stageclick.com, a Web site for theater community networking. It's been a useful tool locally and is growing in other cities with New Orleans as its central hub. The young theater company NOLA Project, which co-produced The Lieutenant of Inishmore, captured several awards. Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy winner James Bartelle shared his perspective on the future of local theater. 'We're in the middle of a renaissance," he said. 'Fill your life with art and your art with life and amazing things will happen."
The Big Easy Awards were sponsored by Gambit Weekly, Harrah's New Orleans Casino and Hotel, John Jay, and Coleman Adler & Sons. The event benefits the Foundation for Entertainment Development & Education.
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Best Actor in a Comedy nominee Tim Bellow and Best Actress in a Comedy Angela Papale
By José L, Garcia II
Broadway, TV and Madmen star Bryan Batt presented several awards.
2008 Big Easy Special Recognition Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Becky Allen
Photo by José L, Garcia II
The cast of Best Comedy The Lieutenant of Inishmore includes (l-r) A.J. Allegra, George Sanchez, director Noel Wilson, Kathlyn Tarwater, Andrew Larimer and James Bartelle
Best Actress in a Musical winner Idella Johnson with Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Dane Rhodes
Photo by José L, Garcia II
The cast of Best Drama winner Doubt includes (l-r) director Carl Walker, co-producer Carol Wright, Donna Duplantier, Jamie Wax, Southern Rep Artistic Director Aimee Hayes and co-producer Jacquee Carvin
2008 Big Easy Theatre Awards Winners
Best Musical
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Playwright Jim Fitzmorris, presenter Janet Shea and Best Director of a Comedy winner Noel Wilson Photo by Cheryl Gerber (Karen_Hebert ) The evening included a performance by Janet Hebert and Joan Spraggins from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Best Comedy
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
NOLA Project & Southern Repertory Theater
Best Drama
Doubt
All Kinds of Theater & Southern Repertory Theater
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
The evening included a performance by Janet Hebert and Joan Spraggins from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Best Director of a Musical
Gary Rucker
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Rivertown Repertory
Best Director of a Comedy
Noel Wilson
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Becky Allen received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Best Director of a Drama
Carl Walker
Doubt
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Joan C. Spraggins
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Maureen and John "Spud" McConnell presented several awards.
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Dane Rhodes
Purlie
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Best Actress in a Musical
Idella Johnson
Purlie
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Best Set Design nominee Chad Talkington, Best Choreographer nominee Karen Hebert and film producer Al Salzer
Best Actor in a Musical
Fenwick Broyard III
Purlie
Photo by José L. Garcia II
One Mo' Time creator Vernel Bagneris with Best Director of a Drama winner Carl Walker
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Cammie West
Valhalla
To Do Productions
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Le Petit Theatre Artistic Director Sonny Borey with Bob Edes Jr. (left), who performed in a scene from The Titanic Adventures of the Loveboat Poseidon
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy
James Bartelle
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Best Actress in a Musical winner Idella Johnson performed a song from Purlie.
Best Actress in a Comedy
Angela Papale
Prelude to a Kiss
Actor's Theater of New Orleans
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Bianca Del Rio (aka Roy Haylock) was the master of ceremonies.
Best Actor in a Comedy
Peter McElligott
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Photo by Cheryl Gerber
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bob Bruce, salon owner John Jay, Becky Allen and 2007 Entertainer of the Year Ricky Graham
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
Andrea Frankle
Doubt
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Southern Rep Artistic Director Aimee Hayes, Best Set Design winner David Raphel and Best Actor in a Drama Jamie Wax
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
Leon Contavesprie
The Pillowman
Dem Boys Productions and Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Photo by José L. Garcia II
Best Costume Design team and Sugar Babies dancers include (l-r) Nicole Eckrich, Cecile Casey Covert, Carolyn Barrois, Trina Beck, Regina Schlotzhauer, Linda Fried and Angela Papale.
Best Actress in a Drama
Claire Moncrief
Doubt
Best Actor in a Drama
Jamie Wax
Doubt
Best Original Play
Rising Water
John Biguenet
Best Musical Director
Jonne Dendinger
Tunes
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Best Choreography
Kelly Fouchi
The Pajama Game
Best Costume Design
R. Haylock, C. Casey-Covert, R. Schlotzhauer, C. Barrois and L. Fried
Sugar Babies
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Best Set Design
David Raphel
Doubt
Best Lighting Design
William Liotta
The Breach
Southern Repertory Theater
Best University Production
Dog Sees God
Gary Rucker, Director
Tulane University
Best Performance by a Child Andy LaRocca
Ordinary People
Actor's Theater of New Orleans
