Drama crix: ‘Wild,’ ‘Drowsy’

See Winners

The Blank Theater Company’s staging of John LaChiusa tuner “The Wild Party” tied the Ahmanson Theater’s preem of “The Drowsy Chaperone” for top honors at the 37th annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Awards.

“Party” and “Chaperone” nabbed five trophies each while Pasadena-based Boston Court’s “Pera Palas” took home four at ceremonies held Monday at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theater. The three shows all won top production awards.

Three trophies went to the Mark Taper Forum’s staging of Edward Albee’s “The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?,” the Fountain Theater Company’s production of Dael Orlandersmith’s “Yellowman” and Sacred Fools’ “Gorey Stories.” The only other multiple winner was West Coast Ensemble’s “Floyd Collins” with two.

Of the 31 awards presented for excellence in theater in Los Angeles and Orange counties, 21 awards were claimed by Equity 99-seat (formerly Equity Waiver) houses, 10 by large and midsize theaters.

And the winners are…

PRODUCTION
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” Center Theater Group, Ahmanson Theater
“The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?,” Center Theater Group, Mark Taper Forum
“Pera Palas,” The Theater @ Boston Court and the Antaeus Company, Boston Court
“The Wild Party,” Blank Theater Company, Hudson Mainstage Theater
“Yellowman,” Bennett Bradley, the Fountain Theater

T.H. McCULLOH AWARD FOR REVIVAL
“Happy End,” Pacific Resident Theater, Pacific Resident Theater
“Mother Courage and Her Children,” the Antaeus Company, NewPlace Warehouse Theater

DIRECTION
Michael Michetti, “Pera Palas,” the Theater @ Boston Court and the Antaeus Company at Boston Court
Casey Nicholaw, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Ahmanson Theater

MUSICAL DIRECTION
David O, “The Wild Party,” Blank Theater Company at Hudson Mainstage Theater

WRITING
Edward Albee, “The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?,” Mark Taper Forum

ADAPTATION/TRANSLATION KOAN
Ensemble, “Kafka Thing,” Odyssey Theater

MUSICAL SCORE
Michael John LaChiusa, “The Wild Party,” Blank Theater Company at Hudson Mainstage Theater

LEAD PERFORMANCE
Chris Butler, “Yellowman,” The Fountain Theater
Deidrie Henry, “Yellowman,” The Fountain Theater
Brian Kerwin, “The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?,” Mark Taper Forum
Bob Martin, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Ahmanson Theater

FEATURED PERFORMANCE
Frank Ashmore, “National Pastime,” Fremont Centre Theater
Nathan Lee Graham, “The Wild Party,” Blank Theater Company at Hudson Mainstage Theater
Daren A. Herbert, “The Wild Party,” Blank Theater Company at Hudson Mainstage Theater
Beth Leavel, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Ahmanson Theater
Bets Malone, “On the Town,” Reprise! Broadway’s Best at UCLA Freud Playhouse

ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
“Gorey Stories,” Sacred Fools Theater
“Pera Palas,” the Theater @ Boston Court and the Antaeus Company at Boston Court

SCENIC DESIGN
Evan A. Bartoletti, “Floyd Collins,” West Coast Ensemble
Tom Buderwitz, “Pera Palas,” the Theater @ Boston Court and the Antaeus Company at Boston Court
David Gallo, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Ahmanson Theater

LIGHTING DESIGN
Cricket Sloat, “Gorey Stories,” Sacred Fools Theater

HAIR, MAKEUP & COSTUME DESIGN
Ann Closs-Farley (costumes, hair, wigs & makeup), “Gorey Stories,” Sacred Fools Theater

SOUND DESIGN
Cricket Myers, “Floyd Collins,” West Coast Ensemble

CHOREOGRAPHY
Matthew Bourne and the company, “Play Without Words,” Ahmanson Theater

SPECIAL AWARDS:
The Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theater was awarded to Musical Theater Guild.
The Ted Schmitt Award for world premiere of an outstanding new play was awarded to Jon Robin Baitz for “The Paris Letter.”
The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design was awarded to Donna Marquet.
The Angstrom Award for career achievement in lighting design was awarded to Jeremy Pivnick.
The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season in a small to midsize theater was awarded to California Repertory Company.
The Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical Theater was awarded to Eric Anderson.
Special LADCC Theatrical Community Spirit Award was given to Jason Graae.