2019 - 2020 Sparkle Recognition

As I See It ... Dennis Sparks  Once again, I have accumulated what I believe are unique, artistic achievements for the Season (the empty space represent the theatres that would have been there had it not been for the recent crisis) and awarded each of them a Sparkle Recognition mention.  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 were not 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. And, 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 plays in the shortened 19/20 Season (Sept. 1st-Mar. 8th (plus one) were Frozen Jr. & Willy Wonka… from the Eastside Theater Co.; Blood Brothers from Triangle!; Jungle Book from NWCT; Hamlet from Speculative Drama; DNA from OCT’s Young Professionals Co.; Darius Pierce as James X from Corrib; Smell of the Kill from Twilight; Jekyll & Hyde from Experience Theatre; Clockwork Orange from Bag & Baggage; Tenderly at Portland Musical Theater Co., especially, Deanna Maio as Rosemary Clooney; and Maya Caulfield as The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus (a virtual performance in July) from OCT.
	(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 450,000 views, which is not too shabby in the seven+ years and over 700 reviews.  I have also 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
Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
The Rocky Horror Show	Lakewood Theatre Company
In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
West Side Story	Stumptown Stages
Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!
Me…Jane	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

 

Outstanding Directors – Musical
Director	Play	Theatre
Josh Johnson	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Liz Bertsch	Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
John Oules	The Rocky Horror Show	Lakewood Theatre Company
May Adrelas	In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
Patrick Nims	West Side Story	Stumptown Stages
Don Horn	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!

 

Outstanding Choreographers
Choreographer	Play	Theatre
	.
Sarah Rose	Frozen, jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Sarah Rose	Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
Kevin Paul Clark	The Rocky Horror Show	Lakewood Theatre Company
Anita Menon	The Jungle Book	NW Children’s Theatre
William Carlos Angulo	In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
Christopher George Patterson	West Side Story	Stumptown Stages
That Was No Lady	Sara Mishler Martins	Triangle Productions!

 

Outstanding Musical Directors
Musical Director	Play	Theatre
Kelsey Hoeffel	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Josh Johnson	Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
Darcy White	The Rocky Horror Show	Lakewood Theatre Company
Eugenio A. Vargas	In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
Adam Joseph Young	West Side Story	Stumptown Stages
Scott Bradner	That Was No Lady	Triangle Productions!

 

 

 

Outstanding Ensembles – Musical
Play	Theatre
Frozen, Jr.	Eastside theater Company
Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
The Rocky Horror Show	Lakewood Theatre Company
In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
The Bell Ringer	Symphont North
West Side Story	Stumptown Stages
That Was No Lady	Triangle Productions!
Scrooge In Rouge	Triangle Productions!
Me…Jane	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

 

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Male – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Simeon Johnson	Willy Wonka	Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
Noah Feldmann-Parks	Charlie	Willy Wonka	Eastside Theater Company
Sean Ryan Lamb	John McClane	Die Hard, the musical parody	Funhouse Lounge
Delphon “DJ” Curtis, Jr.	Hedwig	Hedwig and the Angry Inch	Portland Center Stage
Shawn Rogers	Narrator	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!
Tyler Hendrix	Mickey	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!
Richard Stone	Edward	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!

 

 

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Roll, Female – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Ana Grayce Krachinski	Elsa	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Ava Marie Horton	Anna	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside theater Company
Landy Lamb	Hans Gruber	Die Hard, the musical parody	Funhouse Lounge
Kate Faye Cummings	Holly Gennero	Die Hard, the musical parody	Funhouse Lounge
Gowri Ganesh	Mowgli	The Jungle Book	NW Children’s Theatre
Margie Boule’	Donna	Mamma Mia!	Stumptown Stages
Caitlin Brooke	Mrs. Johnstone	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!
Lisamarie Harrison	Mrs. Lyons	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions

 

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Male – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Alex Hugo	Weselton	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company

 

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Female – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Claire Horton	Young Anna	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Dancers	Animals	The Jungle Book	NW Children’s Theatre
Allison Parker	Anybodys	West Side Story	Stumptown Stages
Lisamarie Harrison	Tanya	Mamma Mia!	Stumptown Stages
Elizabeth Hadley	Rosie	Mamma Mia!	Stumptown Stages
Hannah Wilson	Linda	Blood Brothers	Triangle Productions!

 

Outstanding Productions – Non-Musical
Play	Theatre
1984	Artists Rep
Indecent	Artistss Rep/Profile Theatre
A Clockwork Orange	Bag & Baggage
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde	Experience Theatre Project
Special K	Imago Theatre
The Journal of Ben Uchida:  Citizen 13559	Oregon Children’s Theatre
The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Peter and the Starcatcher	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Macbeth	Portland Center Stage
Sweat	Profile Theatre
Hamlet	Speculative Drama
The Miracle Worker	Twilight Theater Company
DNA	Young Professionals Co. (OCT)

 

Outstanding Directors – Non-Musical
Director	Play	Theatre
Damaso Rodriguez	1984	Artists Rep
Josh Hecht	Indecent	Artists Rep/Profile Theatre
Cassie Greer	A Clockwork Orange	Bag & Baggage
Alisa Stewart	Dr. Jekyll & Mr. hyde	Experience Theatre Project
Jerry Mouawad	Special K	Imago Theatre
Dmae Roberts	The Journal of Ben Uchida:  Citizen 13559	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Lavina Jadhwani	Peter and the Starcatcher	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Adriana Baer	Macbeth	Portland Center Stage
Christopher Acebo	Sweat	Profile Theatre
Myrrh Larsen	Hamlet	Speculative Drama
Doreen Lundberg	The Miracle Worker	Twilight Theater Company
Zoe Rudman	DNA	Young Professionals Company

 

 

Outstanding Ensembles – Non-Musical
Play	Theatre
1984	Artists Rep
Indecent	Artists Rep/Profile Theatre
School Girls…	Artists Rep & Portland Center Stage
A Clockwork Orange	Bag & Baggage
Eclipsed	Corrib Theatre
Smokefall	Defunkt Theatre
Bliss	Defunkt Theatre
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde	Experience Theatre Project
A View from the Bridge	Fuse Theatre
Special K	Imago Theatre
Amor Anejo	Milagro
The Journal of Ben Uchida:  Citizen  13559	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Peter and the Starcatcher	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
The Copper Children	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Pipeline	Portland Playhouse
Sweat	Profile Theatre
Soul’d	Vanport Mosaic
DNA	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

 

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Male – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Heath Koerschgen	Pale	Burn This	Asylum Theatre
Michael J. Teufel	Larry	Burn This	Asylum Theatre
Tom Mounsey	Norm	Found Dog Ribbon Dance	CoHo Productions
Darius Pierce	James	James X	Corrib Theatre
Paul Angelo	Roat	Wait Until Dark	Lakewood Theatre Company
James Ryen	Black Stache	Peter and the Starcatcher	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Daniel T. Parker	Bottom	A Midsummer Night’s Dream	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Isabella Buckner	Hamlet	Hamlet	Speculative Drama
Michael Mendelson	Scrooge	A Christmas Carol	Portland Playhouse
Joshua J. Weinstein	Third Man, et. al.	The Baltimore Waltz	Profile Theatre

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Female – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Briana Ratterman	Anna	Burn This	AsylumTheatre
Beth Thompson	Norma	Found Dog Ribbon Dance	CoHo Productions
Maya Caulfield	Girl, et. al.	The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Taylor Jean Grady	Susan	Wait Until Dark	Lakewood Theatre Company
Valerie Asbell	Annie	The Miracle Worker	Twilight Theater Company
Olivia Holmstedt	Helen	The Miracle Worker	Twilight Theater Company

 

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Male – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Jason Manioccia	Burton	Burn This	Asylum Theatre
Chris Porter	Colonel/Johnny	Smokefall	Defunkt Theatre
Mathew Kern	Footnote, et. al.	Smokefall	Defunkt Theatre
Myia Johnson	Laertes	Hamlet	Speculative Drama
Olivia Gray	Horatio	Hamlet	Speculative Drama

 

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Female – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Jessica Hillenbrand	Beauty	Smokefall	Defunkt Theatre
Megan Skye Hale	Ophelia	Hamlet	Speculative Drama

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Male – Small Cast (one to three people)
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Mace Archer	Doctor	Tenderly	Portland Musical Theater Company
Jay Randall Horenstein	Morty	Life…	Triang;e Productions!

 

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Female – Small Cast (one to two people)
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Lauren Bloom Hanover	Macbeth, et. al.	Macbeth	Portland Center Stage
Chantal DeGroat	Lady Macbeth, et. al.	Macbeth	Portland Center Stage
Dana Green	MacDuff, et. al.	Macbeth	Portland Center stage
Deanna Maio	Rosemary Clooney	Tenderly	Portland Musical Theater Company
Wendy Westerwelle	Ruth	Life…	Triangle Productions!
Deone Jennings	Nicky	The Smell of the Kill	Twilight Theater
Myhraliza Aala	Debra	The Smell of the Kill	Twilight Theater
Sydney Winbush	Molly	The Smell of the Kill	Twilight Theater

 

Outstanding Technical Designers – Scenic/Lighting/Sound/Music
Designer	Play	Theatre
SETS
Peter Ksander	Indecent	Artists Rep/Profile Theatre
Alex Meyer (set)	Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde	Experience Theatre Project
Kyra Sanford (scenic design)	Amor Anejo	Milagro
Mariana Sanchez (scenic design)	The Copper Children	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Tim Mackabee (scenic)	In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
Robert J. Aguilar (lighting)	In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
Daniel Meeker (Scenic & Lighting Design)	The Baltimore Waltz	Profile Theatre
Peter Ksander	Sweat	Profile Theatre

 

Outstanding Designers – Costumes/Props/Make-up/Combat, et. al.
Designer	Play	Theatre
Liz Bertsch, Tracey Hugo & Jeannette Van Orsow—costumes	Frozen, Jr.	Eastside Theater Company
Mary Eggers	The Jungle Book	NW Children’s Theatre
Maya Caulfield—props/set design	The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus	Oregon Children’s Theatre
David Israel Reynoso (costumes)	In the Heights	Portland Center Stage
Costumes—Jeff Hinshaw, Darcelle XV	That Was No Lady	Triangle Productions!
Don Horn—Costumes	Scrooge In Rouge	Triangle Productions!

 

 

Special Recognition
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