John Garcia’s The Column ranks best of Dallas-Fort Worth theater in 2010

by John Garcia of John Garcia's The Column

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The selections run all over the gamut!

The chilly winds blowing all over Dallas-Fort Worth and the overflow of Christmas decorations can only signal one thing. And that is we are approaching the end of another year. We've had our turkey for Thanksgiving, and now it's off to crowded malls, shopping, relatives, endless hearings of Christmas music, and the stress of these holidays. Then comes New Year's Eve!

But during this time an annual season also begins to kick off in the world of entertainment. What is that you say? That would be those annual lists of what various entertainment critics and writers consider what they felt was the "best" in film, television, music, books, and of course theater.

Yesterday the Golden Globe nominations were announced, and various film critic groups from major cities (New York, Los Angeles, etc.) announced their choices for what they considered was the best on celluloid in 2010.

As various local Theater critics from other publications start to list what they considered what was the best DFW Theater, so does The Column. Years ago The Column had one critic and one list. Almost 15 years later The Column has become a juggernaut publication that is nearing 19,000 subscribers worldwide.

The Column has a staff of 15 Theater Critics. With that said, my staff and I have seen and reviewed a STAGGERING amount of Theater within in the DFW metroplex. From equity to non-equity. But even with 15 critics, we did not see everything. This past year The Column lost two critics mid-season, but then brought on board three new ones towards the end.

This dedicated, hard working staff of Theater Critics tried to see as much theater as they (and I) could. But sadly, there were just some shows that slipped us by. I can state publicly that NO theater critic from ANY publication saw EVERY single production produced on a stage in the DFW area. Period. Impossible.

My staff of Associate Theater Critics and myself has been working on our picks for what we considered was the best in theater within the DFW area since October. I have heard from all of them saying, "This was the HARDEST thing I've had to do!" It was not easy for ANY of us in making our selections. We struggled and kept changing our lists over and over again. Re-read reviews that we ourselves wrote to refresh our memories. Do note that not all our critics participated in this issue, but the majority did.

As you can see below, the selections run all over the gamut! These selections below prove that everyone has a different take on what they consider is the "best." That's why I think it makes the choices made by this staff really special and unique. There was no group to meet and agree on just one. They had the freedom to pick and choose on what they felt was the BEST in "their" opinion!

But in making our selections we also chose from those productions that we did NOT review, but simply attended as theater patrons. This was by far not the easiest thing to do. I myself kept changing and changing my list over and over again SINCE October. Finally, it was time to nail down our picks.

So here it is! The Column's selections for the BEST in Theater within the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 2010:

These selections were made by John Garcia, Senior Chief Theatre Critic for The Column

2010 BEST PRODUCTIONS OF THE YEAR:

In making my decisions for what were the best in musicals and plays, I seriously thought of a long list of rules, factors, and theories within my mind in picking what I considered to be listed as the "best." After all I saw so many shows, both as a critic and as a simple theatergoer. First there could be no flaws in the acting whatsoever. In musicals the singing and dancing had to be perfection. The design elements of light, sound, costume and set all had to be superior. The direction had to be pristine and concise. I want theater to move me, to make me laugh, to make me cry, to make me think, and to FEEL what is pouring from the cast across the stage lights. I find that those productions are the ones that when I leave I can't stop talking about them on the way home. Plus as a critic, it is those productions that I tend to get a bit long winded in my writing. Why? Because I cannot stop praising the superior work that was done by those productions. So taking all that into effect, here are my selections as the Best productions for 2010:

FLAMING GUNS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (Theatre Too at Theatre Three) - A hysterical farce that would make even white trash rednecks howl in laughter. Directed with razor sharp comedic brilliance by Terry Dobson, this comedy of two best friends, a stranger, a dim witted lover, and a villain that just would not die created a rip roaring romp. There was blood, gore, body parts, country twangs, and an eye patch. But guess what? I loved every second of it!

GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center) - I was honestly shocked on how several other critics did not get this musical. It was by far one of the most exciting, hilarious, and fantastic world premiere musicals I've seen done locally in several seasons. The score was radiant, the book was overflowing with side splitting laughs, and the production design was chock full of dazzling eye popping fun. Dan Knechtges direction and choreography was exceptional and the entire cast was phenomenal. I stated in my original glowing rave review that it should go to Broadway. Well, it has inched one step closer as it will have an Off-Broadway production mounted in 2011!

INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company) - When all the elements of what I personally consider make a musical spectacular, that's when I cannot stop writing a glowing review. Plaza's version of this overly done Sondheim musical surpassed every past local production I've seen. From its design elements, to the sublime direction by G. Aaron Siler, to the magnificent performances of the full company, I was floored. This production also had the most glorious singing in a musical this season, not a weak voice in the bunch! Plaza’s INTO THE WOODS is the perfect example of what true musical theater artistry should be.

JEKYLL & HYDE (Greater Lewisville Community Theatre) - While I'm not a fan of the bland, unbalanced book of this Frank Wildhorn musical, the majority of the score is exquisite. I was completely blown away by how Director Sharon Veselic and her highly talented cast actually created a fantastic, thrilling, and visually exciting production. The trio of leads tore into the score with vocal finesse with a hard working ensemble cresting right along with them in commitment and talent. This production was one of the big shockers for me personally, because I really did not expect it to be that good and it WAY surpassed my expectations! Bravo GLCT!

LEND ME A TENOR (ICT Mainstage) - An excellent cast made this much produced comedy look & sound fresh, vibrant, and new. Normally this comedy has only a couple of performances that stand out, but thankfully in ICT's version the cast worked as a complete unit of comedy, resulting in an evening of loud laughs. Add to that a beautiful design of set, light, and costume and you have one of the best comedies of the season.

THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB (Pocket Sandwich Theatre) - Another big surprise for me this season. I knew nothing of the play. But having seen and admired the peerless, natural, and brilliant direction of Susan Sargeant, I knew I was going to see some outstanding theater. This comedy could easily fall into the pot holes of over acting, over pushing the comedy, or copying the ladies of STEEL MAGNOLIAS. Sargeant made sure her cast of tour de force ladies avoided those trappings at all costs. What resulted was an emotionally powerful piece that had me in tears by the final scene. The five actresses within this cast won my heart over with their honest, hilarious, and touching performances.

RECKLESS (Sideman Productions) - What a great way to close the 2010 season with yet again another delightful surprise. Again, a play I knew nothing about. Thanks to Director Taylor Bailey's most impressive direction, his splendid cast and standout design, this was a production loaded with great guffaws of laughter and resplendent acting done by the entire cast with muscular subtext interwoven within their performances. This is their second season and yet here they have already produced what I felt was one of the best plays in 2010!

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION:

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Onstage in Bedford)- I wanted to give this production a special recognition. While it did not pass all my guidelines that I listed above, I still wanted to highly commend Director Chris Robinson, his cast and Onstage for taking such an artistic risk with this production. Sure, it had its flaws, but for a small community theater to take on this very difficult piece (both in design and performance), I give them a standing ovation. I'd rather see theater companies take artistic risks and challenges like this than to sit through one of those old war horse musicals for the millionth time. That is why I felt Onstage's SUNDAY IN THE PARK deserves a special honorable mention in my picks for Best Productions of 2010.

BEST NATIONAL TOURS OF THE YEAR:

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (AT&T Performing Arts Center, Winspear Opera House)

DREAMGIRLS (Dallas Summer Musicals)

SPRING AWAKENING (AT&T Performing Arts Center, Winspear Opera House)

XANADU (Dallas Summer Musicals)

2010 BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR:

Many (and I mean MANY) talented actors this season displayed their acting craft all across the stage boards within this incredible talented theater community. I NEVER distinguish between equity and non-equity. I HATE that with a deep, rooted passion. Sorry, the only real difference between the two is one gets a weekly paycheck and has a bigger budget or physical theater to work with. But all the sweat, tears, long rehearsals, stress, and emotional toll that it takes to create magic on stage is all the same. I’ve seen good and bad work in both equity and non-equity.

So what makes a “breakthrough” performance? First and foremost I should state that since being a theater critic for close to 16 years in this area, I have seen many familiar faces over and over again. In that same line of thought I also have seen some exciting new talent!

For me a “breakthrough” performance is one in which I do not see whatsoever the common tics or the “usual” acting craft or tools that an actor has used before in previous performances. I sit in the dark watching an actor go so out of the box and way beyond in what I have seen them do before that it leaves me speechless. That’s a breakthrough performance in my book! I’m not only holding my playbill in my lap, but also my jaw because I was completely floored and mesmerized by their performance. When you see the same actors season after season, for me they need to step it up to the next level. To expand and challenge themselves. To display gusty, exciting, challenging work in the art of acting within themselves.

For both veteran performers and the new talents, I want them to show me that riveting subtext and complex layers within the dramatic roles. Show me blinding, grand, & NEW comedic timing, pace, and delivery if the role is comedic. For musical theater, it’s the vocals, the acting, the dancing, and the artistry to pull off all those elements within their performance.

This year has been EXTREMELY difficult as there has been SO MUCH outstanding talent within the DFW acting community. There is a wealth of talent in this acting pool that puts other states to shame.

Now after three months of me rewriting this section for about a million times and many hours of debating within myself. Here they are. After much debate, here are the actors and actresses who met all the criteria above. Each one of these individuals I felt met my definition of what is a breakthrough performance.

So without further ado, here is the class of 2010 for BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR:

Meredith Browning as "The Baker's wife" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

Chase Burnett as "Max" in LEND ME A TENOR (ICT Mainstage)

Hillard Cochran as "John Dickinson" in 1776 (The Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players)

Daron Cockerell as "Cinderella" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

Shoshana Cook as "Nikki Harris" in CURTAINS (Runway Theatre)

Jordan Desmarais as "Helena Landless" in DROOD (Denton Community Theatre)

Tyler Donahue as "Lawrence" in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS & "Nick Arnstein" in FUNNY GIRL (Both at Music Theatre of Denton)

Jeff Florence as "Daddy Warbucks" in ANNIE (Artisan Center Theater)

Michelle Foard as "Emma Carew" in JEKYLL & HYDE (Greater Lewisville Community Theatre)

Kevin Friemel as "George" in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Onstage in Bedford)

Evan Fuller as "Straight Dave" in CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

Stan Graner as "Sir Osgood Fiedling" in SUGAR (ICT Mainstage)

Justin Harmon as "Freddy" in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Music Theatre of Denton)

Brian Hathaway as "Aldolpho" in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Theatre Three)

Christa Hinckley as "Georgia Hendricks" in CURTAINS (Runway Theatre)

Curtis Holbrook as "Xander Lee" in GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

Julie Johnson as "Willa" in THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (Lyric Stage)

Ashlie Kirkpatrick as "Maria" in LEND ME A TENOR (ICT Mainstage)

Aaron Lett as "John Adams" in 1776 (The Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players)

Sara Shelby Martin as various roles in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY (Uptown Players)

Morgan McClure as "Pooty" in RECKLESS (Sideman Productions)

Liz Mikel as "Hetairai Johnson" in GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

Arianna Movassagh as "Janet Van De Graaff" in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Theatre Three)

Patty Murin as "Lysistrata Jones" in GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

Ben Phillips as "The Baker" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

Evan Ramos as "Lt. Joseph Cable" in SOUTH PACIFIC (Artisan Center Theater)

Andrew Rannells as "Michelangelo ‘Mick’ Jackson in GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

Zac Dacus Reynolds As "Laurie Laurence" in LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL (Grand Prairie Arts Council)

Caroline Rivera as "The Witch" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

Rachel Joy Robertson as "Fanny Brice" in FUNNY GIRL (Music Theatre of Denton)

Sheila D. Rose as "Vernaette" in THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB (Pocket Sandwich Theatre)

Noelle Salter as "Carmen Bernstein" in CURTAINS (Runway Theatre)

Coit Scharringhausen as "Lloyd" RECKLESS (Sideman Productions)

Morgana Shaw as "Billie Trix" in CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

Courtney Sikora as "Lucy Harris” in JEKYLL & HYDE (Greater Lewisville Community Theatre)

Sally Soldo as "Shirl" in FLAMING GUNS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (Theatre Too)

Brad Stephens as "Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde" in JEKYLL & HYDE (GLCT)

Lee Jamison-Wadley as “Shell Christian” in CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

Wendy Welch as various roles in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY (Uptown Players)

Phillip Cole White as "Mitch Mahoney" in 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Onstage in Bedford)

Amy Windle as "Rachel" in RECKLESS (Sideman Productions)

Clayton Younkin as "Mile End Lee" in CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT/RECOGNITION:

BEST MALE VOCAL DUET: JaceSon Barrus (Cinderella's Prince) & Kyle Adams (Rapunzel's Prince) with "Agony" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

BEST FEMALE VOCAL DUET: Michelle Foard (Emma) & Courtney Sikora (Lucy) with "In His Eyes" in JEKYLL & HYDE (GLCT)

BEST MALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Tom DeWester for his moving & perfect melancholy tone to his solo number, "I Miss the Music" in CURTAINS (Runway Theatre)

BEST FEMALE VOCAL PERFORMANCE: Courtney Sikora with "A New Life" in JEKYLL & HYDE (GLCT). A soaring pop ballad that has major transgressions composed within the song. Sikora belted, soared, and glided with extraordinary vocal beauty within this solo.

BEST SINGING/VOCALS PERFORMED BY AN ENTIRE CAST IN A MUSICAL: LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL (Grand Prairie Arts Council). The cast comprised of JD Vineyard, Lindsey Schmeltzer, Morgan Mabry Mason, Charlie Knight, Zak Dacus Reynolds, Erin Elliott, Shannon Walsh, Jerry Vaughn, Brandi Andrade, Linda Meyer, and Denise Rodigue.

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE: Jeremy Dumont for his high energy, show stopping tap solo in his big number "Cold Feet" (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Theatre Three)

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE: Kristin DiFrancesco for her dramatic & mournful dance solo in BRIGADOON (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST CAST OF THE YEAR: The ladies of THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB (Pocket Sandwich Theatre) - Robin Coulonge, Melissa Couture, Kristen Blevins James, Sheila D. Rose, & Lucia A. Welch.

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Dan Knechtges, GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION: Jeff Crouse for SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Onstage in Bedford)

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION: Scott A. Eckert for THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (Lyric Stage)

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION: Terry Dobson & Vonda Bowling, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Theatre Three)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Julie Moroney for CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Ben Stanton, GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Ken Davis, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Onstage in Bedford)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Tina Barrus for INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Philip Lamb for his eye popping Set/Production

design/Projection design for THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (Denton Community Theatre)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Beowulf Boritt, GIVE IT UP (Dallas Theater Center)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Jason Leyva, ANNIE & SOUTH PACIFIC (both at Artisan Center Theater)

BEST LIGHTING, SOUND, SCENIC DESIGN: G. Aaron Siler for INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

BEST SCENIC & LIGHTING DESIGN: Sharon Veselic, JaceSon & Cameron Barrus for JEKYLL & HYDE (Greater Lewisville Community Theatre)

OUTSTANDING YOUTH/TEENAGER PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR:

Emma Colewell as "Annie" in ANNIE (Artisan Center Theatre)

Taylor O'Toole as "Little Red Ridinghood" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

Auston McIntosh as "Jack" in INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

Zach Wooster as "Harry" in BRIGADOON (Artisan Center Theatre)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC CHRISTOPHER SODEN'S PICKS

BEST PLAY (A TIE!): The Pinter Trilogy (Upstart Productions) and The Dog Problem (Undermain Theatre)

BEST MUSICAL: Closer to Heaven (Uptown Players)

BEST DIRECTOR (Play): Bruce Coleman: Equus (Uptown Players)

BEST DIRECTOR: (Musical) Cheryl Denson: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players)

BEST ACTOR (Play): Jonathan Brooks in THE DOG PROBLEM (Undermain Theatre)

BEST ACTOR (Musical): Clayton Younkin in CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

BEST ACTRESS (Play): Cindee Mayfield in BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS (Contemporary Theatre of Dallas)

BEST ACTRESS (Musical): Lee Jamison-Wadley in CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Uptown Players)

BEST RENAISSANCE THESPIAN: Andi Allen

BEST LONG-RUNNING PERFORMANCE: Nye Cooper in THE SANTALAND DIARIES (Contemporary Theatre of Dallas)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC MARY CLARK'S PICKS

BEST PLAYS OF THE YEAR: 4.48 Psychosis (Sundown Collaborative Theatre),

Alice in Wonderland (White Rock Pollution), Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre), and Duck Hunter Shoots Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

BEST MUSICALS OF THE YEAR: Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre), The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center), and Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY:

Olivie Emile – 4.48 Psychosis (Sundown Collaborative Theatre)

Misty Venters – The Pitchfork Disney (Broken Gears Project Theatre)

Leah Spillman – Betrayal (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Danielle Pickard – Alice in Wonderland (White Rock Pollution)

Kristin Scott – First Day of School (Amphibian Stage Productions)

Desiree Fultz – First Day of School (Amphibian Stage Productions)

Whitney Holotik – Danny & the Deep Blue Sea (Broken Gears Project Theater)

Martha Harms – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Shelly Tharp-Payton – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Kara Torvik – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

Morgan Justiss – The Turquoise Pontiac (One Thirty Productions)

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY:

Clay Wheeler – The Pitchfork Disney (Broken Gears Project Theatre)

Allen Matthews – Inherit the Wind (OnStage in Bedford)

Bobby Banks – Inherit the Wind (OnStage in Bedford)

Cameron Cobb – Betrayal (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Clay Wheeler – Alice in Wonderland (White Rock Pollution)

Randy Pearlman – Alice in Wonderland (White Rock Pollution)

Marshall York – First Day of School (Amphibian Stage Productions)

Carter Frost – Duck Hunters Shoot Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

Robert Malone – Duck Hunters Shoot Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

Joey Folsom – Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (Broken Gears Project Theater)

Kyle Macy – Complete Works..William Shakespeare (Abridged) (GLCT)

Matt Ransdell, Jr. – Complete Works ..Shakespeare (Abridged) (GLCT)

Jerry Russell – Copenhagen (Stage West)

Chamblee Ferguson – Copenhagen (Stage West)

Joel McDonald – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

Josh Glover – Feeding the Moonfish (WingSpan Theatre Co.)

Elias Taylorson – The Turquoise Pontiac (One Thirty Productions)

Shane Beeson – The Turquoise Pontiac (One Thirty Productions)

Ivan Jones – Puss In Boots (Theatre Britain)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY:

Megan Rieves – Inherit the Wind (OnStage in Bedford)

Amber Devlin – Copenhagen (Stage West)

Maxey Whitehead – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY:

Van Quatro – Inherit the Wind (OnStage in Bedford)

Barry Nash – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

William Paul Williams – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Michael Speck – Duck Hunter Shoots Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

Barret Lewis – Rabbit Hole (Rover Dramawerks)

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL:

Misty Venters – A Broadway Christmas Carol (Theatre Arlington)

Britney Hudgins – Beehive (Theatre Three)

Natalie King – Beehive (Theatre Three)

Yolanda Williams – Beehive (Theatre Three)

Daron Cockerell – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Stolen Shakespeare Guild)

Amanda Stevens – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Company)

Heatherton Hardy Wilson – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

Kelsey Heine – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

Stephanie Hall – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Denise Lee – Bible Women (Echo Theatre)

Annie Benjamin – Bible Women (Echo Theatre)

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:

Chase Burnett – A Broadway Christmas Carol (Theatre Arlington)

B.J. Cleveland – A Broadway Christmas Carol (Theatre Arlington)

Ben Phillips – A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (Stolen Shakespeare Guild)

Clay White – A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (Stolen Shakespeare Guild)

Gary Moody – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

Burl Proctor – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL:

Lana K. Hoover – A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (Stolen Shakespeare Guild)

Danielle Beecham – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Co.)

Rebecca Siggers – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

Lauren Kane – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Samantha Padilla – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Jessica Dismuke – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Hannah Lumpkin - Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

Ryan Wheeler – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL:

Gary Payne – A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (Stolen Shakespeare Guild)

Caleb White – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Company)

Tyler Martin – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Company)

Michael Sylvester – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Company)

Jeff Walters – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

BEST TEEN /YOUTH ACTOR (MUSICAL): Michael Pandolfo – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST DIRECTOR (PLAY):

Tashina Richardson – 4.48 Psychosis (Sundown Collaborative Theatre)

Nancy Schaeffer – Miss Nelson is Missing (Dallas Children's Theater)

Tom Parr IV – Alice in Wonderland (White Rock Pollution)

John Tillman – Duck Hunter Shoots Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

Alan Hanna – Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare (Abridged) (GLCT)

Cameron Cobb – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Jeffrey Schmidt – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

Evan Mueller – First Day of School (Amphibian Stage Productions)

BEST DIRECTOR (MUSICAL):

JaceSon and Tina Barrus – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre

Company)

Chris Robinson – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

Jill Blalock Lord – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Pam Myers-Morgan – Bible Women (Echo Theatre)

B.J. Cleveland – A Broadway Christmas Carol (Theatre Arlington)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN (PLAY):

Cindy Ernst – The Pitchfork Disney (Broken Gears Project Theater)

Randel Wright – Miss Nelson is Missing (Dallas Children's Theater)

Bryan Wofford – Betrayal – Kitchen Dog Theater

Kathleen Culebro AND Alix Milne – First Day of School (Amphibian Stage

Productions)

Ellen Mizner – Duck Hunter Shoots Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

Clint Alan Ray – Rabbit Hole (Rover Dramawerks)

Robert Winn – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Jeffrey Schmidt – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

Lowell Sargeant – Feeding the Moonfish (WingSpan Theatre Co.)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN (MUSICAL):

Keith Glenn & Jason Morgan – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Stolen Shakespeare Guild)

Bill Newberry – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (PLAY):

Kristin Parr – Alice in Wonderland (White Rock Pollution)

Aaron Patrick Turner – First Day of School (Amphibian Stage Productions)

Bruce R. Coleman – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Nicole Goodwin – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

Marty Van Kleeck – The Turquoise Pontiac (One Thirty Productions)

Lyle Huchton – Miss Nelson is Missing (Dallas Children's Theater)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (MUSICAL):

Nicole Hull – A Broadway Christmas Carol (Theatre Arlington)

Bruce R. Coleman – Beehive (Theatre Three)

Tina Barrus – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Company)

Drenda Lewis – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

Nita Cadenhead – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN (PLAY):

Michael O'Brien – Copenhagen (Stage West)

Laura McMeley – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Melissa Cashion – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

BEST SOUND DESIGN (PLAY):

Jeff Mizner – Duck Hunter Shoots Angel (OnStage in Bedford)

John M. Flores – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

John M. Flores – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theater)

Lowell Sargeant – Feeding the Moonfish (Wing Span Theatre Co.)

BEST SOUND DESIGN (MUSICAL): David H.M. Lambert – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

BEST PROPS DESIGN (PLAY):

Jen Gilson-Gilliam and Judy Nivens – The Seagull (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Lydia Mackay – Lobster Alice (Second Thought Theatre)

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION:

Terry Dobson – Beehive (Theatre Three)

Scott Eckart – Bible Women (Echo Theatre)

James McQuillen – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Gary Taylor – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

Richard Gwozdz – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY:

Jill Baker – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Plaza Theatre Center)

Linda Leonard – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

Pamela Langton – The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

BEST STAGE MANAGER (PLAY): Jessica Maxey – The Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare (Abridged) (GLCT)

BEST BOOK FOR A MUSICAL: Gary Moody – Lone Star Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

BEST MUSICIANS:

The Tayor-Made Boys (Charles Crawford, Rick Norman, Gary Taylor) – Lone Star

Christmas Carol (Circle Theatre)

Kurtis Muller – trombone – Swing! (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST VIDEO DESIGN: Randel Wright AND Karl Schaeffer, Miss Nelson is Missing (Dallas Children's Theater)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC STEN-ERIK ARMITAGE'S PICKS

BEST MUSICAL: My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

BEST PLAY: Sherlock Holmes in the Crucifer of Blood (Theatre Three)

BEST DIRECTION (Play): Jeffrey Schmidt - Sherlock Holmes in the Crucifer of Blood (T3)

BEST DIRECTION (Musical): Len Pfluger, My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

BEST MUSICAL DIRCTION: Jay Dias, My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

BEST ACTOR (Play): Chuck Huber as "Sherlock Holmes" in Sherlock Holmes in the Crucifer of Blood (T3)

BEST ACTRESS (Play): Trich Zaitoon as "Emma Cristano: in Over the River and Through the Woods (Plaza Theatre Company)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Play): Gregory Lush as "Major Alistair Ross" in Sherlock Holmes in the Crucifer of Blood (Theatre Three)

BEST ACTOR (Musical): J. Brent Alford as "Professor Henry Higgins" in My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

BEST ACTRESS (Musical): Shelbie Mac as "Princess Winnifred" in Once Upon a Mattress (Runway Theatre)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Musical): Michael Fatica as "Lefou" in Beauty and the Beast at Winspear Opera House in Dallas (National Tour)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Musical): Rachel Robertson as "Lady Larkin" in Once Upon a Mattress (Runway Theatre)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Musical - Julie N. Moroney for My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

Play - Amanda West for Sherlock Holmes in the Crucifer of Blood (Theatre Three)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Play - Jeffrey Schmidt for Sherlock Holmes in the Crucifer of Blood (Theatre Three)

Musical - Kenneth Foy for My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

BEST COSTUMER: Drenda Lewis for My Fair Lady (Lyric Stage)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC LYLE HUCHTON'S PICKS

BEST PLAY OF THE YEAR: BOOM (Kitchen Dog Theater)

HONORABLE MENTION: RECKLESS (Sideman Productions)

For equal presentation of acting, design, and directing I would have to choose Kitchen Dog Theater's production of BOOM as the Best Play that I had a chance to see this year. Although Sideman Productions comes in with a very close second with RECKLESS. What Sideman lacks is a bit of polish. I am interested to see how they will progress in the coming year.

BEST MUSICAL OF THE YEAR: INTO THE WOODS (Plaza Theatre Company)

For overall presentation of all elements of design and delivering an almost perfect vocal rendition of an extremely difficult score, my choice for Best Musical would have to be Plaza Theater Company's Into The Woods. Husband and wife team, JaceSon and Tina Barrus, along with Aaron Siler have managed to carve out an impressive niche within the theater community in a very short amount of time.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING (Play or Musical):

JaceSon Barrus, Will Rogers Follies (Plaza Theater Co.)

Daron Cockrell, Into the Woods (Plaza Theater Company)

Drew Davis, Oklahoma (Artisan Center Theater)

Tyce Green, The Miser (Stage West)

Amanda Gupton, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Onstage in Bedford)

Sean Hennigan, A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center)

Ashlie Kirkpatrick, Lend Me A Tenor (ICT Mainstage)

Jenny Lendel, Boom (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Austin McIntosh, Into The Woods (Plaza Theater Company)

Taylor O'Toole, Into the Woods (Plaza Theater Company)

Karen Parrish, Boom (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Amber Quinn, Reckless (Sideman Productions)

Zak Dacus Reynolds, Little Women: The Musical (GPAC)

Caroline Rivera, Into the Woods (Plaza Theater Company)

Jerry Russell, The Miser (Stage West)

Coit Scharringhausen, Reckless (Sideman Productions)

Kristin Spires, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Onstage in Bedford)

Mary Tiner, Everything in the Garden (Rover Dramawerks)

Amy Windle, Reckless (Sideman Productions)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING (Play or Musical):

Christina Vela for Boom (Kitchen Dog Theater)

G. Aaron Siler for Into The Woods (Plaza Theater Company)

Taylor Bailey for Reckless (Sideman Productions)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN:

Kimberly Corbett, Set Design for Everything in the Garden (Rover Dramawerks)

Suzy Cranford, Costume Design for Everything in the Garden (Rover Dramawerks)

Dennis Canright & Jason Leyva, Set Design for Oklahoma (Artisan Center Theater)

Philip Lamb, Set and Projection Design for The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Denton Community Theatre)

Nathan Erwin, Costume Design for The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee (Onstage in Bedford)

Tina Barrus, Costume Design for Into the Woods (PTC)

Design Team for Boom (Kitchen Dog Theater) - Brian Wofford/Set; Linda Blase/Lighting; Korey Kent/Costume

Jim Covault, Set Design for The Miser (Stage West)

G. Aaron Siler, Set Design for Into The Woods (PTC)

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Beth Albright, Forbidden Broadway (Uptown Players)

Lon Barrera, The 25th Annual Putnam CountySpelling Bee (Onstage in Bedford)

Emma Colwell, Annie (Artisan Center Theater)

Ginger Goldman, Don't Dress for Dinner (ICT Mainstage)

Carleen Constance Kirksey, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Onstage in Bedford)

Eric Steele, Boom (Kitchen Dog Theater)

Halle Tomlinson, A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center)

Wendy Welch, Forbidden Broadway (Uptown Players)

Aaron White, Lend Me A Tenor (ICT Mainstage)

Phillip Cole White, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Onstage in Bedford)

The Orchestra for Ten Nights in a Bar Room (ICT Mainstage): Pam Holcomb-McLain/Piano, Randy Linberg/Percussion, and Christina Harpine/Violin

The Vocal Ensemble of Little Women: The Musical (Grand Prairie Arts Council)

The Design Team for Reckless (Sideman Productions): Clay Barron/Set, Cole McCarty/Costume, Les Deal/Lights

Ellen Mizner, Set Design for Lend Me A Tenor (ICT Mainstage)

Tory Padden, Costume Design for Lend Me A Tenor (ICT Mainstage)

Tripp Jackson, Music Direction for Little Woman: The Musical (Grand Prairie Arts Council)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC ASHLEA PALLADINO'S PICKS

BEST OF 2010 - PLAYS

Overall Production: A Christmas Carol (Plaza Theatre Company)

Direction: JaceSon Barrus – A Christmas Carol (Plaza Theatre Company)

Actor in a Leading Role (tie):

Steve Lindsay – A Christmas Carol (Plaza Theatre Company)

Scott Nixon – Lend Me a Tenor (ICT MainStage)

Actress in a Leading Role: Evelyn Davis – My Cousin Rachel (Garland Civic Theatre)

Actor in a Supporting Role (tie):

Greg Burton – A Christmas Carol (Plaza Theatre Company)

Gregory Phillips – My Cousin Rachel (Garland Civic Theatre)

Actress in a Supporting Role: Ashlie Kirkpatrick – Lend Me a Tenor (ICT MainStage)

Ensemble Cast: Noises Off (Garland Civic Theatre)

Scene Stealers:

Jon Morehouse – A Bollywood Lysistrata (Level Ground Arts)

Alexis Nabors – Santa Claus vs. the Martians (Level Ground Arts)

Set Design:

Kyle McClaran – My Cousin Rachel (Garland Civic Theatre, Non-Equity)

Bruce Coleman - Equus (Uptown Players, Equity)

Lighting Design:

Catherine Montgomery – My Cousin Rachel (Garland Civic Theatre, Non-Equity)

Jason Foster - Equus (Uptown Players, Equity)

Costume Design (tie): Kyle McClaran – My Cousin Rachel (Garland Civic Theatre) and Ryan Matthieu Smith – Bullshot Crummond (Onstage in Bedford)

BEST OF 2010 – MUSICALS (Equity)

Overall Production: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players)

Direction: Cheryl Denson – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players)

Actor in a Leading Role (tie): Rob McCollum – The Drowsy Chaperone (Theatre Three) and Jimmy Hays Nelson – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players)

Actress in a Leading Role (equity musical): Morgana Shaw - Closer to Heaven (Uptown Players)

Actor in a Supporting Role: Lon D. Barrera – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players)

Actress in a Supporting Role (tie): Marqui Maresca – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players) and Arianna Movassagh – The Drowsy Chaperone (Theatre Three)

Scene Stealers: David Coffee – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Casa Manana) and Brian Hathaway – The Drowsy Chaperone (Theatre Three)

Hardest-Working Ensemble: Mona's Girls and The Aggies, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Casa Manana)

Choreography: Josh Rhodes – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Casa Manana)

Costume Design: Tammy Spencer – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Casa Manana)

Set Design: Andy Redmon – Closer to Heaven (Uptown Players)

Lighting Design: Sam Rushen – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Casa Manana)

BEST OF 2010 – MUSICALS (Non-Equity)

Overall Production: Urinetown – Greater Lewisville Community Theatre

Direction: Larry M. Jansson - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Garland Civic Theatre)

Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Wells – Lippa's The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts Center)

Actress in a Leading Role (tie): Stephanie Hall– Lippa's The Wild Party (Ohlook Performing Arts) and Shelbie Mac – Once Upon a Mattress (Runway Theatre)

Actor in a Supporting Role: Blake Rodgers – Urinetown (Greater Lewisville Community Theater)

Actress in a Supporting Role: Courtney Sikora – All Shook Up (Plaza Theatre Company)

Scene Stealers: Alexandra K. Buchen - Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical (LGA) and Stan Graner – Sugar (ICT MainStage)

Hardest-Working Ensemble: Sweet Sue's Girls and Spats' Henchmen – Sugar (ICT Mainstage)

Youth Performance: Carolyn Baker – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (GCT)

Special Mention: To Bill Fountain & Andi Allen, and their long-suffering cast and crew of Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical (Level Ground Arts) for persevering through nine performances of this show given the inhumane conditions presented them by their former home theater. It was white hot in the audience, and I can't imagine performing in costumes and under lights without any air conditioning ... in Texas ... in June.

Costume Design: Ryan Matthieu Smith – Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (GCT)

Set Design (tie): Jim Cox – Funny Girl (Garland Civic Theatre) and Joseph Cummings – Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (GCT)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC MARK-BRIAN SONNA'S PICKS

So I am making my list and checking it twice. This year was chock full of great shows and performance that I felt most privileged to see. I am fortunate to be able in the DFW area. We truly have some amazing theatre. I could make a very long list of productions/actors/designers that could receive a multitude of accolades. This said, I will try and narrow my list to the best of the best. his was by far the hardest year for me to pick and choose because there was so many good, no make that GREAT shows this year.

10 - Best New Script: Carnival of Souls – Purgatorium - Bill Fountain penned a breathtakingly good adaptation for the stage of the cult film. His script captured the essence of the original and then added a layer of savvy political commentary. While the mounted production had some flaws, the evening nonetheless was compelling because of the words he put on paper. This play begs to be published and should become a classic for the Halloween season.

9 – Best Supporting Actress: Sue Loncar as Leona for The Blue Moon Dancing. The play overall was OK, and in need of a good editing. In my original review I commented that Ms. Loncar's character could be completely removed from the script because it was superfluous to the story line. This said, Loncar turned Leona into a scene-stealing-lioness and devouring presence that begged to be developed into another and different play. The accolades I praised on Ms. Loncar caused quite a stir because I was accused of being friends with her and that my review was some sort of suck-up to her. The truth is I barely knew her then, and I still don't know her very well. All I can say is that her ferocious performance still stays with me.

8 – Best Direction of a Musical: - Dallett Norris for Jesus Christ Superstar. Everything about this production was sublime. Ted Neely as Jesus was a wonder to behold. What has stuck with me the most was the staging and the direction. Dallet Norris took a nearly 30 year old musical and made it absolutely riveting and relevant to today's audiences. At times surreal, at other times explosively visual, and at other minimalist, Norris created a visual feast. He fused the music, the lights, the acting into a seamless and comprehensive whole that left the audiences stunned. I felt like I could barely breathe I was so taken with the masterful direction of this production. Brilliant!

7 - Best Acting Ensemble: The five women -- Robin Coulonge, Melissa Couture, Kristen Blevins, Sheila D. Rose, and Lucia A.Welch – who comprised the cast of the Dixie Swim Club at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre. They wove theatrical gold. Frequently in an ensemble piece one or two actors will outshine the others. In this production all five women complemented each other beautifully, yet each managed to have their own moment that made them shine.

6 - Best Supporting Actor: Stephen Costello appeared twice in the Dallas area: As Lord Percy in Anna Bolena and as Greenhorn in Moby Dick, both with the Dallas Opera. It could be argued that as Greenhorn he as co-lead with the character of Captain Ahab since the story is centered around his character, but in my estimation there was more emphasis on Ahab's role hence why I put him in the supporting category. If you don't know this yet, Stephen Costello is our new Pavarotti. And dare I say he might be even better? Dallas has been very fortunate to have this world class singer appear so frequently, and he seems to favor Dallas for he has come to perform here more then five times in the last three years. He doesn't just have a voice that is unlike anything you will ever hear; he is the most consummate actor.

5 – Best Featured Actor: Tom DeWester, CURTAINS (Runway Theatre) There was a show stopping moment that I keep replaying in my mind since I experienced it. When Tom DeWester sang "I Miss the Music," I fell apart. This beautifully crafted song received the most glorious underplaying I could have imagined. He encapsulated in three minutes true heartbreak and longing. It would be tempting to milk the song for all it's worth, but he chose the subtle route, and this was the correct decision. I can still close my eyes and hear his delivery. Oh, and he was also fantastic in the rest of the show too!

4 – Best Leading Actor: Tyler Donahue as Lawrence, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Music Theatre of Denton). Comic timing? Check. Fabulous singing voice? Check. Great acting? Check. The zany musical is a fun production, but it takes a true master at his craft to give a Broadway worthy performance at small local theatre. He knew exactly how far to push the character without it falling into shtick. Mr. Donahue's Lawrence was disarming and loveable, even though underneath he was a dirty rotten scoundrel.

3 – Best Direction of a Play: Carol Rice's direction of Rover Dramawerks' Morphic Resonance. As many people who read The Column know, I also direct theatre around town. This script at one point was presented to me for my opinion. I thought it was just OK. It didn't really appeal to me. I actually hinted it shouldn't be done. Am I ever surprised to put it on this list! But it deserves to be. Ms. Rice worked wonders with it. Her clever staging engaged me and she brought out performances from her actors that made me laugh, wince, ache, hate, love and cry. Her unusual circus concept took what was in my estimation too much of a melodrama and magically turned it into a subtly brilliant slice-of-life play. I could never have directed it this well. Kudos.

2 – Best Performance by a Leading Actor: Paulo Szot in Dallas Opera's Don Giovanni. Most people don't think of Opera as se*y. That's because they've never seen Paulo Szot play Don Giovanni, or realized that the Dallas Opera will push the envelope just as much as some of the local theatres in town that like doing riskier works. His Don Juan is the ultimate seducer and he not only seduces all the women in the opera but he seduces the audience too. Besides being a gifted singer, a super talented actor, he also has the looks of a movie star. To do the role right you have to have an actor that can effortlessly ooze sex, and Paulo did it in spades. It also requires him to be puckish, childlike, and at times murderous. This is one of the most difficult roles to get right, for though he does commit rape from time to time we still have to really like him. Not an easy thing to do! He redefined the role for another generation.

1 - Best Play of the Year: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Mesquite Community Theatre)

Adam Adolfo Izaguirre directed the most edgy show I've seen in ages. This visceral, violent, sexual, intense rendition of the classic play ranks as one of the most powerful pieces of theatre in my life. The entire cast was perfect. Lacy Lynch as Stella, Staci Cook as Blanche and R. Steven Blake redefined these well known roles and gave them unexpected portrayals. Even the smaller roles such as The Mexican Woman played by Taryn Daniels and Spance Cameron Young's role of The Young Man had a new edge to them. The pared down set was stunning in its grotesque simplicity. The costumes were truly an extension of the characters. The performances were gritty and as real as I have ever seen. This play still haunts me. I rank it in the top ten plays I've seen in my entire life. Truly extraordinary.

So those are my top 10 "moments" in the DFW theatre ... well, no. I must add one more While A Streetcar Named Desire ranks in the top 10 theatrical experiences in my life there is another production that I would rank in the top 3: Moby Dick by the Dallas Opera.

I must commend the Dallas Opera for really stepping it up this year and providing some top notch productions in the last twelve months. Moby Dick was a world premiere opera; something that doesn't happen with much frequently. Let's face it, many world premier operas bomb. The art form can be somewhat dated. But every now and then it gets re-invented. This is what happened this year with Moby Dick.

Visually it broke new ground by fusing computer generated animation and projections with a set that shifted, floated and opened up in ways unlike anything else I've ever witnessed. This fusion was seamless and there isn't another production that I could compare it to for it was so groundbreaking. Dallas Opera literally created a new form of stagecraft. But this isn't the only reason this Opera was so monumental.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to be in the audience the first time "Oklahoma" or "Rent" was performed? Or what it must felt like to be one of the first to hear Beethoven's 9th symphony? To hear Barbara Streisand sing for the first time? This experience happened this year in Dallas. All of us who were fortunate to attend Moby Dick witnessed a masterpiece being birthed and given to the world. Accolades came from all over the globe on this production and deservedly so. From the first note to last it was perfect. From the first computer generated visual to the emotionally devastating last line sung of the poetic libretto there was not a single false moment.

As future generations will enjoy this opera, I will always be able to tell people how fortunate I am to be able to say "yes, I was there."

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC LAURA WATSON'S PICKS

BEST NEW PLAY: DREAM CAFE by Alejandro de la Costa, produced by MBS Productions.

"The audience decides the order of the scenes each night, resulting in a brand new storyline... 720 options total!... Gay or straight, a prude or promiscuous, DREAM CAFÉ reaches inside every audience member and pulls out something very real and universal. It leaves the audience thinking about their own "love scenes" and how if they had happened exactly the same way, but in a different order, how very different our lives would be. I know I sat in my car for 20 minutes just thinking."- from my May 31 review for THE COLUMN.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST NEW PLAY: HALF EMPTY by Melanie Welch, produced by Fight Boy Theatre as part of the Feast of Plays, One Act Play festival.

BEST PLAY: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF produced by Artes de la Rosa

"Artes de la Rosa, under the direction of Adam Adolfo, had the cojones to take Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof-originally set on a plantation in Mississippi- and move it to Little Havanah in Florida and give it a Cuban flair. The test if a work of art is indeed a true classic is to take it out of time and place and determine if the story still resonates. Any reinterpretation of a work will also test the talent and resources of the theatre company, especially its director. Both Williams and Artes de la Rosa passed with flying colors." From my COLUMN review.

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR BEST PLAY: STEEL MAGNOLIAS produced by Plaza Theatre Company and BAREFOOT IN THE PARK produced by Contemporary Theatre of Dallas

BEST PLAY FESTIVAL: FEAST OF PLAYS produced by Fight Boy Theatre

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR BEST PLAY FESTIVAL: STAGE BLACK produced by Jiles R. King, II at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters

BEST MUSICAL: SWING (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY: Joshua Scott Hancock for THE FROG PRINCE as part of Feast of Plays by Fight Boy Theatre

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY: Adam Adolfo for CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Artes de la Rosa), Danielle Beacham for STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Plaza Theatre Company), and Dennis Canright for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Hannah Black as Narrator in THE FROG PRINCE and Valerie in HALF EMPTY in Feast of Plays (Fight Boy Theatre)

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY: Zach Leyva as Jem Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Artisan Center Theater)

"Zach Leyva played Jem to perfection, allowing himself to balance in that precarious place between childhood and manhood as he sought to understand his father." -from my October 4 review for THE COLUMN.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY: Mike Schraeder as Teach in AMERICAN BUFFALO (Broken Gears Project Theatre)

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Natalie Berry in SWING (Artisan Center Theater)

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Camille Shaw as June in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN (Plaza Theatre Company)

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Andrew Guzman as Dennis in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN (Plaza Theatre Company)

"Dennis, the boy twin, was sincerely and sweetly played by Andrew Guzman. Guzman is a tenor who sings like an angel… Guzman also had the most touching testimony about being a Marine in WWII… Guzman was not left out of the comedic bits, reenacting a number from his childhood with Denise and June called "The Royal Telephone" made all the more hilarious because they're adults." –from my September 18 review for THE COLUMN.

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST: STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Plaza Theatre Company)

"All six of these women came together to form a believable friendship and support system. I know these women, I just happen to know and love them by different names. Wherever a woman is in her life, there is a character in Plaza's STEEL MAGNOLIAS that will speak to them." –from my April 19 review for THE COLUMN

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST ENSEMBLE CAST: DREAM CAFÉ (MBS Productions)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Bruce R. Coleman for EQUUS (Uptown Players)

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Oliver Luke for CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Artes de la Rosa Theatre)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Linda Leonard for SWING (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A PLAY: Suzi Cranford for EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN (Rover Dramawerks)

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A PLAY: Aaron Patrick Turner for BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (Contemporary Theatre of Dallas), Justin Kailer for CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Artes de la Rosa Theatre), and Candace Cockerham for NO EXIT (Sundown Collaborative Theatre)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL: Robin Armstrong for LITTLE WOMEN (Collin Theatre Center)

HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL: Tina Barrus for CINDERELLA (Denton Community Theatre) and Nita Cadenhead for SWING (Artisan Center Theater)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Adam Livingston for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Artisan Center Theater)

"Light Designer Adam Livingston helped create the mood for the story, shifting from past to present, day to night, and appropriate lightning strikes during the storm." – from my October 4 review for THE COLUMN.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Jason Foster for EQUUS (Uptown Players)

BEST SOUND DESIGN: Un-credited for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Artisan Center Theater)

"Sound design was not credited, but Sound Techs Karen Woolley and Wendy Pandolfo, used fantastic music to underscore the touching moments and the dramatic climax well." –from my October 4 review for THE COLUMN

HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST SOUND DESIGN: Jason Rice for MORPHIC RESONANCE, (Rover Dramawerks)

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC CAROL ANNE GORDON'S PICKS

Best Performance by an actress in a drama: Maureen W. McDonald, THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, ICT Theatre on the Edge

Best redux of a cheesy old propaganda movie: REEFER MADNESS - THE MUSICAL, Ohlook Performing Arts Centre

Best set design: INTO THE WOODS, Plaza Theatre Company

Best re-creation of 80's chic costuming: DILEMMAS WITH DINNER, Rover Dramawerks

Best performance by an actor of a human pretzel: Beauen Bogner, DILEMMAS WITH DINNER, Rover Dramawerks

Best Comedy: BACH AT LEIPZEIG, Circle Theatre

Best re-working of a Holiday Classic: THE BEAUVILLE BAPTIST BOOK CLUB PRESENTS ... A BUR-LES-Q NUTCRACKER! (MBS Productions)

Creepiest performance by an actor of the Devil: Ivan Jones, LUCIFER DESCENDING, MBS Productions

Most inventive new play - DREAM CAFE, MBS Productions

Best Fantasy Sex Scene - Ginneh Thomas, HOME, Jubliee Theatre

Best casting of amazing Divas in the same production:

Jodi Wright & Denise Lee, BIBLE WOMEN, Echo Theatre, FIT 2010

Most imaginative use of props as scene changes: HOME, Jubilee Theatre

Best impression of dying from a terminal disease and best acting through dancing rather than through speaking: Amy Wells, MORPHIC RESONANCE, Rover Dramawerks

Best cast of four people portraying over 100 characters: Michael Corolla, Mark Shum, Lee Trull & Cheryl Lober, THE 39 STEPS (Stage West)

Best performance by an instrumentalist: Clark Griffith, 33 VARIATIONS, Theatre Three

Best revival of a nostalgic classic: THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Casa Mañana)

Best choreography (TIE): ANNIE (Artisan Center Theatre) and THE BEAUVILLE BAPTIST BOOK CLUB PRESENTS ... A BUR-LES-Q NUTCRACKER! (MBS Productions)

Best selling of a song and dance number: Bonnie Gentry, ANNIE, Artisan Center Theater

Best interpretation of the Gospel: GOD'S TROMBONES, Jubilee Theatre

Best vocal range: Malcolm Beaty, GOD'S TROMBONES, Jubilee Theatre

Best re-working of a classic: A BOLLYWOOD LYSISTRATA, Level Ground Arts

Best performance by an actress in a comedy: Andi Allen, A BOLLYWOOD LYSISTRATA, Level Ground Arts

Best performances without speaking a word: Anastasia `Tasia' Munoz, Lulu Ward, John M. Flores, Marayam Baig Lush & Newton Pittman, THE MUSE, The Drama Club, F.I.T. 2010

Best re-working of an iconic fictional character from a Victorian classic into the punk steam house genre: SHERLOCK HOLMES IN THE CRUCIFER OF BLOOD, Theatre Three

Best actors in a four-character musical: Chad Peterson, Alex Ross, Tricia Ponsford, Marianne T. Galloway, [title of show], Theatre Three

Best actors in a two-character play: Shauna McLean and Chuck Huber, TALLEY'S FOLLY, Theatre Three

Best actor in a one man show: Don Alan Croll, SONGS OF THE REDHEAD, THE MUSIC OF DANNY KAYE (Theatre Too)

Best peeling back of the chimera of how perfect the 60's were: EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN, Rover Dramawerks

ASSOCIATE THEATER CRITIC CLYDE BERRY'S PICKS

BEST MUSICALS OF THE YEAR: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players) and Urinetown (Greater Lewisville Community Theatre)

BEST PLAYS OF THE YEAR: SubUrbia (Upstart Productions), The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s (Theater Arlington), Charm (Kitchen Dog Theater), and Bright Ideas (Circle Theatre)

BEST ONE ACT PLAYS OF THE YEAR: No Child... - Rhianna Mack (Amphibian Productions) and Etiquette Unraveled - Lake Simons (Hip Pocket Theatre)

BEST HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION: White Christmas - Carroll Senior High

BEST ENSEMBLE: The Dixie Swim Club (Pocket Sandwich Theatre)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Jason Foster for Equus (Uptown Players) and Scott Payne for SubUrbia (Upstart Productions)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Vicki Squires, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players) and Eddie Floresca, Urinetown (Greater Lewisville Community Theater)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN: Clare Floyd Devries for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Uptown Players), Clare Floyd DeVries for Charm (Kitchen Dog Theater), Ellen Mizner for Of Mice and Men (ICT Mainstage), and Cindy Ernst & Zachary Broadhurst for Suburbia (Upstart Productions)

SCENIC PAINTERS OF THE YEAR: Michelle McElree (Multiple Productions at Artisan Center Theater and Plaza Theatre Company) and BJ Cleveland (Theatre Arlington)

COSTUMERS OF THE YEAR: Ryan Matthieu Smith - Multiple Productions Across DFW Metroplex and Tina Barrus for Plaza Theatre Company

BEST DANCERS OF THE YEAR: Brian Cluff - Multiple Productions Across DFW, Jeremy Dumont - Multiple Productions Across DFW, Emily Kate Hardy - Multiple Productions Across DFW, and Caleb Miller White - Multiple Productions Across DFW

BEST ACTOR: Joey Folsom for Suburbia (Upstart Productions) and A Streetcar Named Desire (Artes de la Rosa at the Rose Marine Theater)

BEST ACTRESS: Rhianna Mack for No Child... (Amphibian Productions)

STANDOUT HOMETOWN PERFORMERS: Tyler Donahue in multiple Productions for Music Theatre of Denton and Daron Cockerell in Multiple Productions for Plaza Theatre Company

BEST COLLEGE PERFORMANCE: Dalton Hutto in THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (TCU)

ARTISTIC INIATIVE IN PLAY SELECTION/PRODUCTION: American Classics Initiative - Rose Marine Theater

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