Tuesday, August 28, 2018

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