Sparkle Recognition 2017 - 2018

As I See It ... Dennis Sparks Once again, I have accumulated what I believe are unique, artistic achievements for the Season (September 1st, 2017 to August 31st, 2018) and awarded each of them a Sparkle Recognition mention in the list of about 100+ shows I personally review in a Season.  But, as you will note, unlike other award lists, I do not pick a “winner,” nor is my list confined to necessarily “5 nominees” in each category.  My list contains as many, or as few, as I deem “special” or “unique” in some way(s). I do not believe you can compare, for instance, one actor’s performance in a play against another actor’s role in a totally different part and play.  Nor do I understand why there has to be only 5 nominees in category.  For example, I pick a person for a uniqueness that they seem to have, both as a creator and in the role/job they are performing.  That is not to say that there weren’t a wealth of fine artistic achievements done.  There were.  But these particular individuals and/or productions moved me in special, unforgettable ways.		Granted, this is my take alone on the shows this season and, I’m sure, you will note, doesn’t agree with most award lists of “nominees/winners.”  Also it doesn’t encompass all the fine theatres that exist in the Northwest.  All the theatres I do include, have invited me to review their shows.  And, being only one person, I can only review so many at a time. Also, I do not restrict in any way, the people/companies that I review or are included in my Sparkle list.  The list includes schools, professional theatres, semi-professional, community, et. al. in the Greater Portland area and as far South as OSF in Ashland, OR.  In my opinion a good performance/production is simply good, no matter its pedigree.	I unashamedly admit that I am a supporter of the Arts, having over 40 years myself in all aspects of it.  I attend a production expecting it to be good and, if it falls short, in my opinion, I try to be constructive in my criticism.  Also, you will note in my reviews, that I tend not to spend a lot of time describing the plot but, instead, try to give a flavor of the piece.  I, also, try to make comparisons to similar venues or historical, philosophical or personal histories of the times to, hopefully, enlighten the audience, as to what they may be seeing/experiencing. Some of the most unique productions for this period are:   Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Henry V and Manahatta, both totally captivating and thoroughly entertaining productions. Also note-worthy are OCT’s Young Professionals with Jasper in Deadland and NWCT’s Chitra, The Girl Prince both very provocative and inventive.  Also clever was Portland Playhouse’s original musical, Scarlet, which was dynamite. My personal favorites at Artists Rep. were Magellancia, a unique take on an important issue and the haunting, I And You.  Powerful issues of Youth dynamics were evident in PAC’s Good Kids and family dynamics in Lyon’s Of Good Stock.  The always very original B&B offered their take on Dickens writing A Christmas Carol and Crave tackled other ghostly happenings with Crossing…and many others are listed below.  In short , a very good year for the performing arts!
		(Some personal observations regarding recognizing the Arts:  The Media gives a lot of attention to current events, sports and weather, etc. but almost none that focuses on the Arts.  Likewise, many land/building owners seem to be following that lead in downgrading the Arts and raising prices that, I’m sure they realize, Art groups cannot afford with their extremely limited budgets.  Also parking is a problem in many parts of town where theatre spaces reside and it would behoove a business or religious institution to reach out and offer their parking lots when they are not in operation.  So, please, if you are one of these organizations or know one, go the extra mile and give this precious commodity, the Arts, a chance to survive!)	My blog now has over 300,000 views, which is not too shabby in the six+ years I have had my blog in existence and I have been asked to join the American Theatre Critics’ organization.   And other champions around the Arts are an unending gratitude to my electronic muse, Jennifer, for creating my blog and Dave for maintaining it.  A special “shout-out,” too, to Ronnie Lacroute and the WillaKenzie Estate, who may be the most priceless supporter local theatre has!  And when theatres/artists put links to my reviews on their sites, it only enhances the readership and, hopefully, your audiences.  In case you’d rather scan the list to find your own company, the theatres (right-hand column) are listed alphabetically (more or less).  So, without any further exposition, may we have the envelopes please . . .
Outstanding Productions -- Musical
Play	Theatre
Under the Influence	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Cinderella	NW Children’s Theater
Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
Peter Pan	NW Children’s Theatre
A Year with Frog & Toad	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Fun Home	Portland Center Stage
Scarlet	Portland Playhouse
Folk City	Stumptown Stages
Evita	Stumptown Stages
Jasper in Deadland	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Directors – Musical
Director	Play	Theatre
Sara Fay Goldman & Rusty Tennant	Under the Influence	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Lyn Cramer	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Rusty Tennant	Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Ron Daum	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Sarah Jane Hardy	Cinderella	NW Children’s Theater
Sarah Jane Hardy & Anita Menon	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
John Ellingson	Peter Pan	NW Children’s Theatre
Dani Baldwin	A Year with Frog & Toad	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Chris Coleman	Fun Home	Portland Center Stage
Brian Weaver & Jessica Wallenfels	Scarlet	Portland Playhouse
Kirk Mouser	Folk City	Stumptown Stages
Kirk Mouser	Evita	Stumptown Stages
Dani Baldwin	Jasper in Deadland	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Choreographers
Choreographer	Play	Theatre
Laura Hiszczynskyj	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Kate Mura	Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Lyn Cramer	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Sarah Jane Hardy	Cinderella	NW Children’s Theater
Sarah Jane Hardy & Anita Menon	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
Sara Mishler Martins	A Year with Frog & Toad	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Sarah Jane Hardy	Peter Pan	NW Children’s Theatre
Eric Zimmer	Evita	Stumptown Stages

Outstanding Musical Directors
Musical Director	Play	Theatre
Matt Insley	Under the Influence	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Alan D. Lytle	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Matt Insley	Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Beth Noelle	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Jeffrey Childs	A Year with Frog & Toad	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Abdul Hyamid Royal	Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill	Portland Center Stage
Eric Nordin	Scarlet	Portland Playhouse
Adam Young	Evita	Stumptown Stages

Outstanding Ensembles – Musical
Play	Theatre
Under the Influence	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
A Year with Frog & Toad	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Fun Home	Portland Center Stage
All Hands On Deck	Portland Musical Theater Company
The Sensational Sixties	Portland Musical Theater Company
Spring Awakening	Staged!
Folk City	Stumptown Stages
Evita	Stumptown Stages
Jasper in Deadland	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Male – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Joe Theissen	Nathan	Guys & Dolls	Broadway Rose
Kurt Raimer	Anatoly	Chess	Lakewood Theatre Company
Chuck Ketter	Emcee	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Ernie Lijoi	Emcee	Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Heath Hyun Houghton	Madan	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
Isaac Lamb	Rev. Dimsdale	Scarlet	Portland Playhouse

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Roll, Female – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Courtney Freed	Florence	Chess	Lakewood Theatre Company
Peggy Taphorn	Donna	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Emily Sahler	Adelaide	Guys & Dolls	Broadway Rose
Kelly Sina	Sally Bowles	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Gwendolyn Duffy	Sally Bowles	Cabaret	Fuse theatre Ensemble
Alisha Menon	Chitra	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
Deidrie Henry	Billie Holiday	Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill	Portland Center Stage
Rebecca Teran	Hester	Scarlet	Portland Playhouse
Laura McCulloch	Christine	Phantom	Stumptown Stages
Joann Coleman	Karen	Folk City	Stumptown Stages

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Male – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Ron Daum	Herr Schultz	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Glenn Williams	Herr Schultz	Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Darius Pierce	Roger	Scarlet	Portland Playhouse

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Female – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Maggie Chapin	Fraulein Schneider	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Lisamarie Harrison	Tanya	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Laura McCulloch	Rosie	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Dmae Roberts	Fraulein Schneider	Cabaret	Fuse Theatre Ensemble
Susannah Mars	Anne	Scarlet	Portland Playhouse
Elizabeth Hadley	Carlotta	Phantom	Stumptown Stages
Cassandra Pangelinan	Mistress, et. al.	Evita	Stumptown Stages

Outstanding Productions – Non-Musical
Play	Theatre
Magellancia	Artists Rep
I and You	Artists Rep
Crossing	Crave Theatre
Of Good Stock	Lyon Theatre
Three Sisters	NW Classical Theatre Collaborative
Henry V	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Manahatta	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Fences	Portland Playhouse
Good Kids	Portland Actors Conservatory
The Events	Third Rail Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Directors – Non-Musical
Director	Play	Theatre
Dámaso Rodriguez	Magellancia	Artists Rep
JoAnn Johnson	I and You	Artists Rep
Sarah Andrews	Crossing	Crave Theatre
Devon Lyon	Of Good Stock	Lyon Theatre
Patrick Walsh	Three Sisters	NW Classical Theatre Collaborative
Rosa Joshi	Henry V	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Mary Kathryn Nagle	Manahatta	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Lou Bellamy	Fences	Portland Playhouse
Beth Harper	Good Kids	Portland Actors Conservatory
Scott Yarbrough	The Events	Third Rail Repertory Theatre
Tobias Andersen	Antigone	Twilight Theater Company

Outstanding Ensembles – Non-Musical
Play	Theatre
Octoroon	Artists Rep
The Humans	Artists Rep
Magellancia	Artists Rep
Between Riverside and Crazy	Artists Rep
Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol	Bag & Baggage Theatre
Belfast Girls	Corrib Theatre
This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing	CoHo Productions
Human Noise	Imago Theatre
The Brothers Paranormal	MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora
The Mermaid Hour	Milagro
Three Sisters	NW Classical Theatre Collaborative
Manahatta	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Good Kids	Portland Actors Conservatory
Kodachrome	Portland Center Stage
The Secretaries	Profile Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream	Steep and Thorny Way to Heaven
Hand to God	Triangle Productions!
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)	Twilight Theater Company
It’s Only A Play	Twilight Theater Company

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Male – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Kevin Jones	“Pops”	Between Riverside and Crazy	Artists Rep
Matthew Kern	Oliver	The Pride	Defunkt Theatre
Ted Rooney	Jimmy	Quietly	Corrib Theatre
Kyle Delamarter	Bobby	Fallout	Imago Theatre
Morgan Lee	Micky	Adroit Maneuvers	Lighthouse Arts
Daniel José Molina	Henry V	Henry V	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Todd Van Voris	Scrooge	A Christmas Carol	Portland Playhouse
Lester Purry	Troy	Fences	Portland Playhouse
Norman Wilson	God	An Act of God	Triangle Productions!
Caleb Sohigian	Jason/Tyrone	Hand to God	Triangle Productions!
Jeff Gibberson	James	It’s Only a Play	Twilight Theater Company
Paul Roder	Birnam Wood	The Maltese Bodkin	Twilight Theater Company

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Female – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Agatha Day Olson	Chris	Feathers and Teeth	Artists Rep
Kymberli Colbourne	Scrooge	Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol	Bag & Baggage Productions
Sarah McGregor	Hermien	Crossing	Crave Theatre
Jessica Tidd	Sussie	Crossing	Crave theatre
Kylie Jenifer Rose	Ezmerelda	Crossing	Crave Theatre
Elizabeth Jackson	Lula	Dutchman	Defunkt Theatre
Claire Aldridge	Romeo	The Romeo & Juliet Project	Enso theatre Ensemble
Amelia Hillery	Juliet	The Romeo & Juliet Project	Enso Theatre Ensemble
Justine Davis	Lady Rose	La Belle	Imago Theatre
Stephanie Woods	Tater	To Fly Again	Imago Theatre
Diane Kondrat	Tilde	Adroit Maneuvers	Lighthouse Arts
Morgan Cox	Jess	Of Good Stock	Lyon Theatre
Jaime Langton	Celia	Of Good Stock	Lyon Theatre
Kailey Rhodes	Amy	Of Good Stock	Lyon Theatre
Christy Bigelow	Olga	Three Sisters	NW Classical…
Liz Jackson	Masha	Three Sisters	NW Classical…
Dainichia Noreault	Irina	Three Sisters	NW Classical…
Melissa Reeves	Chloe	Good Kids	Portland Actors Conservatory
Erika LaVonn	Rose	Fences	Portland Playhouse
Deone Jennings	Virginia	It’s Only a Play	Twilight Theater Co.

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Male – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Leif Norby	Hitler	Adroit maneuvers	Lighthouse Arts
Bobby Bermea	Gabriel	Fences	Portland Playhouse

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Female – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Kymberli Colbourne	Madame Arcati	Blithe Spirit	Bag & Baggage
Jessica Ko	Katherine, et. al.	Henry V	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Kimberly Scott	Pistol, et. al.	Henry V	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Sara Bruner	Mercutio	Romeo and Juliet	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Shelia Tousey	Mother	Manahatta	Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Male – Small Cast (one to three people)
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Gavin Hoffman	Merrick	…Watson Intelligence	CoHo Productions
Blake Stone	Anthony	I and You	Artists Rep
Nathan Dunkin	Gerardo	Death and the Maiden	Bag & Baggage Productions
Anthony Green	Dr. Miranda	Death and the Maiden	Bag & Baggage Productions
Eric Martin Reid	Watson	…Watson Intelligence	CoHo Productions
Todd Van Voris	“Visitor”	Title and Deed	Imago Theatre
Lawrence Howard	Storyteller	Polar Opposites…	Portland Story Theater
Leif Norby	“Truman Capote”	A Christmas Memory	Portland Center Stage
Joseph Gibson	The Boy	The Events	Third Rail Repertory Theatre
Gary Norman	Lady Bright	Madness of Lady Bright	Triangle Productions!
Matthew Sunderland	George/Christine	TRANS-formation	Triangle Productions!
Todd Van Voris	DeSantis, et. al.	The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey	Triangle Productions!

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Female – Small Cast (one to two people)
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Emily Eisele	Caroline	I and You	Artists Rep
Mandana Khoshnevisan	Paulina	Death and the Maiden	Bag & Baggage Productions
Siobhan O’Loughlin	“Siobhan”	Broken Bone Bathtub	B/B/B Productions
Sarah Ellis Smith	Eliza	…Watson Intelligence	CoHo Productions
Britt Harris	Beth	Lifeboat	Corrib Theatre
Kayla Lian	Bess	Lifeboat	Corrib Theatre
Vanessa Hopkins	Helen	Heaven or Helen	Late Bloomers Inc.
Courtney Freed	“Courtney”	Don’t Stop Me Now The Freddie Mercury Experience	Live On Stage
Nikki Weaver	Nikki	Weaving Women Together	Portland Playhouse
Allison Mickelson	Lisa	2.5 Minute Ride	Profile Theatre
Jessica Tidd	Storyteller	The Rape of Lucrece	Street Scenes
Maureen Porter	Claire	The Events	Third Rail Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Technical Designers – Scenic/Lighting/Sound
Designer	Play	Theatre
SETS
Megan Wilkerson (scenic)	The Humans	Artists Rep
Phil Johnson (sound)	The Humans	Artists Rep
Stephanie Kerley Schwartz (scenic)	Magellancia	Artists Rep
Carl Faber	Magellancia	Artists Rep
Tim Stapleton	I and You	Artists Rep
Jim Ricks-White (lighting)	Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol	Bag & Baggage
Tyler Buswell (set)	Blithe Spirit	Bag & Baggage
Bryan Boyd (set)	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Max Ward (scenic)	Crossing	Crave Theatre
John Gerth (scenic)	To Kill A Mockingbird	Lakewood Theatre Company
David Chandler, Kelly Rauer & Vanessa Hopkins (scenic/video projection design)	Heaven or Helen	Late Bloomers Inc.
Blanca Forzán (scenic design and painting)	Astucias Por Heredar	Milagro
John Ellingson (scenic/props)	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
Collette Pollard (scenic)	Sense and Sensibility	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Will Cotter (projection design)	Kodachrome	Portland Center Stage
Michael Schweikardt (scenic)	Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill	Portland Center Stage

Outstanding Designers – Costumes/Props/Make-up/Combat
Designer	Play	Theatre
Wanda Walden (costumes)	Octoroon	Artists Rep
Melissa Heller (costumes)	Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol	Bag & Baggage Productions
Allison Dawe (costumes)	Mamma Mia!	Broadway Rose
Ryan J. Moller (costumes)	Guys & Dolls	Broadway Rose
Grace O’Malley (costumes)	Cabaret	Lakewood Theatre Company
Mary Eggers (costumes)	Cinderella	NW Children’s Theater
Mary Eggers (costumes)	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theater
Kristen Mun (combat)	Chitra:  The Girl Prince	NW Children’s Theatre
Nancy Christy (costumes)	Peter Pan	NW Children’s Theatre
John Ellingson (puppets)	Peter Pan	NW Children’s Theatre
Sarah Gahagan (costumes)	A Year with Frog & Toad	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Fabio Toblini (costumes)	Sense and Sensibility	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Leah Piehl (costumes)	Romeo and Juliet	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Margaret Louise Chapman (costumes)	Phantom	Stumptown Stages
Combat/Fight Coordinator—Murri Lazaroff-Babin	Hand to God	Triangle Productions!

Special Recognition
The tap-dancing Chorus	Cinderella	NW Children’s Theatre
Ronni Lacroute	For her generous support of theatre in this area—you are special!	Willakenzie Estate!
Jennifer Larson-Cody	For having faith in me, thank you—you are my electronic muse!	My Blog Creator & Manager
David Hudkins	Good friend and current blog manager	Blog Manager