Winners of 2012 Column Awards announced

by Staff of John Garcia's The Column

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The gala this past Monday broke attendance records.

Daylon Walton/Random Photography

Chita Rivera and John Garcia at the 13th Annual Column Awards

Monday, February 27 became one of the greatest nights ever for the Dallas-Fort Worth Theatre community and THE COLUMN AWARDS (TCA) organization. TCA honors excellence in theater within the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater community, which held its 13th annual gala this past Monday. TCA holds the esteemed honor of being the only awards organization in the United States that donates all money (after expenses) to BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS. A charity they have been associated since its inception. To date, THE COLUMN AWARDS have donated close to $70.000.00 to BC/EFA.

What made this year so very special was due to the incredible guest star they had as their Co-host, two time Tony Award winner, Kennedy Honor recipient, Broadway legend Chita Rivera. Her past Broadway credits include West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Chicago, The Rink, Nine, and The Dancer’s Life. She returns to Broadway this fall in the revival of DROOD at the Roundabout.

Ms. Rivera co-hosted the gala with the organization’s founder/director/producer, John Garcia. This was a personal dream come true for him as Rivera is his inspiration and idol.

“We have been so very lucky, honored, and blessed to have major stars of Broadway, film, and television who accept our invitation to be our special guest stars. Each of them have brought their own special fantastic talents to our gala. They all have helped us in becoming the success we are today, and for that we are so, so grateful,” Garcia stated.

“But Chita is a whole other level. The surreal level. As a Latino musical theater actor I thought we could never play those roles that were written for others. I thought as a child and teen that we Latinos were regulated to the chorus or roles that had us as immigrants, maids, migrant workers, or that we could not speak English. Then as a teen I saw Sweet Charity the film-and there she was! Chita Rivera. Not playing a role that boxed her in. I devoured everything I could about her. I was floored and amazed by her career. She was the light at the end of the tunnel. She was my beacon of hope. Latin actors could play any role.”

Garcia went on to say, “So fast forward several years later and here I was about to interview her when she was in Dallas for CASPER THE MUSICAL. We had a private conversation about Latinos, musical theater, and the struggle of fighting non-traditional casting. She gave me great insight, advice and inspiration that I carry to this day. We bonded at that interview. She gave me a long hug that almost had me in tears. She told me that if I was in New York to come see her! So I did. I visited her backstage when she was on Broadway in the revival of NINE and then later in THE DANCER’S LIFE. Each time we laughed, hugged, kissed, and had wonderful, personal conversations. She truly is the person who saved my life. She made me believe Latino actors can do musical theater in leading roles. I owe her so, so, so much. Both personally and professionally.”

The gala broke attendance records in having both the highest volume of audience attendance and the sale of VIP tickets (where guests can pay a higher ticket price to meet & greet the celebrity) in its 13 year history.

This year’s theme was RAZZLE DAZZLE with the opening number becoming a combination mix of “All that Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle”.

The nominees for Best Musical (equity and non-equity) performed at the gala, they were: Next to Normal (Uptown Players); How To Succeed…(ICT Mainstage); Cats (Garland Summer Musicals); Joseph…Dreamcoat (Plaza Theatre Company); Pippin (Theatre Three); Spring Awakening (Watertower Theatre); The Scarlet Pimpernel (Plaza Theatre Company); Joseph…Dreamcoat (Artisan Center Theater); Great American Trailer Park Musical (Greater Lewisville Community Theatre); and Xanadu (Level Ground Arts).

“It takes a full year of planning to put this mammoth show on its feet and make it run smoothly. But thankfully I have the hardest working, most dedicated board of directors to make this event come alive. I cannot thank enough Garland Summer Musicals Executive Director Patty Granville and the GSM guild for co-sponsoring the gala this year. Also we must give a standing ovation to the army of volunteers, backstage crew, Production Stage Manager, the designers, musical director, choreographer, dancers, performers, presenters, and the orchestra. Just so many to thank. I am deeply humbled by their support each year.” Garcia said.

The winners are voted by the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Theater community who are subscribers to THE COLUMN (over 22,000).

Link to the winners page:

Here is the official list of 2012 COLUMN AWARD WINNERS for 2012:

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