Sparkle Recognition 2018 - 2019

As I See It ... Dennis Sparks Once again, I have accumulated what I believe are unique, artistic achievements for the Season (September 1st, 2018 to August 31st, 2019) 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 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. 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 Hairspray, totally captivating and thoroughly entertaining production. Also, note-worthy are OCT’s Young Professionals with Shiver and Good Kids, both very provocative and inventive.  And, very clever and powerful was Crave’s Red in presentation, direction, choreography and acting.  Another favorite was Experience Theater Project’s, The Picture of Dorian Gray in its direction, adaptation and especially actor in the title role.  And, finally, Twilight’s How I Learned To Drive in lead actors, and directing….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 400,000 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
Ordinary Days	Broadway Rose
Into the Woods	Broadway Rose
Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Hair	Staged!
Marat/Sade	Twilight Theater Company
Shiver	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Directors – Musical
Director	Play	Theatre
Isaac Lamb	Ordinary Days	Broadway Rose
Jessica Wallenfels	Into the Woods	Broadway Rose
Paul Angelo	Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Christopher Liam Moore	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
James Charles	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Katie McLoughlin	Hair	Staged!
Dorinda Toner	Marat/Sade	Twilight Theater Company
Matthew B. Zrebski	Shiver	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Choreographers
Choreographer	Play	Theatre
Jessica Wallenfels	Into the Woods	Broadway Rose
Rachael Singer	From the Ruby Lounge	Berk Theatre
Rachael Singer	Red (non-musical)	Crave Theatre
Jorie Jones	Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Jaclyn Miller	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Diana Schultz	Hair	Staged!
Christopher George Patterson	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages

Outstanding Musical Directors
Musical Director	Play	Theatre
Eric Nordin	Ordinary Days	Broadway Rose
Eric Nordin	Into the Woods	Broadway Rose
Andrew Bray	Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Gregg Coffin	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Andrew Bray	Hair	Staged!
Adam Young	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages

Outstanding Ensembles – Musical
Play	Theatre
Ordinary Days	Broadway Rose
From the Ruby Lounge	Berk Theatre
Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Not Another Christmas Letter!	Portland Musical Theater Company
There’s No Business Like Show Business	Portland Musical Theater Company
Hair	Staged!
Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Shiver	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Male – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Eric Michael Little	The Baker	Into the Woods	Broadway Rose
Danielle Valentine	Mr. Wormwood	Matinlda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Daniel T. Parker	Edna	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Morgan Mallory	Jesus	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Gabriel Lawson	Judas	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Jarvis Sam	Jimmy Early	Dreamgirls	Stumptown Stages
Gary Wayne Cash	Scrooge	A Christmas Carol	Stumptown Stages
Jeff Gibberson	Herald	Marat/Sade	Twilight Theater Co.
John Brunner	Dick	Whiskey Dixie…	Whiskey Dixie Musical

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Roll, Female – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Erin Tamblyn	The Witch	Into the Woods	Broadway Rose
Cora Craver	Matilda	Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Andy Lindberg	Miss Trunchbull	Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Katy Geraghty	Tracy	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Hannah Sapitan	Mary	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Julianne Johnson	Effie	Dreamgirls	Stumptown Stages
Amanda Richards	Whiskey	Whiskey Dixie…	Whiskey Dixie Musical

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Male – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
David Kelly	Wilbur	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Bruce R. Kyte	Pilate	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Steve Coker	Herod	Jesus Christ Superstar	Stumptown Stages
Collin Carver	Miss West Coast	Pageant	Triangle Productions!

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Female – Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Greta Oglesby	Motormouth	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Kelly Stewart	Ghost of Christmas Past	A Christmas Carol	Stumptown Stages
Brandie Sylfae	Trish	Whiskey Dixie…	Whiskey Dixie Musical

Outstanding Productions – Non-Musical
Play	Theatre
Speed-the-Plow	Asylum Theatre
Red	Crave Theatre
The Picture of Dorian Gray	Experience Theatre Project
Wolf at the Door	Milagro
Equus	Twilight Theater Company
How I Learned To Drive	Twilight Theater Company
Good Kids	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Directors – Non-Musical
Director	Play	Theatre
William (Bill) Earl Ray	Skeleton Crew	Artists Rep
Don Alder	Speed-the-Plow	Asylum Theatre
Sarah Andrews	Red	Crave Theatre
Alisa Stewart	The Picture of Dorian Gray	Experience Theatre Project
Rebecca Martinez	Wolf at the Door	Milagro
Tobias Andersen	Equus	Twilight Theater Company
Dorinda Toner	How I Learned To Drive	Twilight Theater Company

Outstanding Ensembles – Non-Musical
Play	Theatre
Small Mouth Sounds	Artists Rep
It’s a Wonderful Life	Artists Rep
Hurl	Corrib Theatre
Jesus Hopped the A Train	CoHo Productions
zoozoo	Imago Theatre
Leonard Cohen Is Dead	Imago Theatre
Pebble	Imago Theatre
Church and State	Lyon Theatre
Tiger Be Still	Lyon Theatre
¡alebrijes!...	Milagro
Wolf at the Door	Milagro
Crossing Mnisose	Portland Center Stage
Escaped Alone	Shaking-the-Tree
A Dark Night Full of Stars	Theatre Vertigo
Good Kids	Young Professionals Company (OCT)

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Male – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Darius Pierce	Ned	Small Mouth Sounds	Artists Rep
Michael Mendelson	“Everybody”	Everybody	Artists Rep
Christopher Imbrosciano	Richard	Teenage Dick	Artists Rep
Michael Mendelson	Torvald	A Doll’s House, Part 2	Artists Rep
Jason Maniccia	Gould	Speed-the-Plow	Asylum Theatre
Lawrence Siulagi	Sidney	Deathtrap	Bag & Baggage Productions
Andrew Beck	Clifford	Deathtrap	Bag & Baggage Productions
Phillip J. Berns	Peter	Peter/Wendy	Bag & Baggage Productions
Joshua J. Weinstein	Torch	Beirut	Beirut Theatre
Todd Van Voris	Grant	Pontypool	CoHo Productions
Katherine Grant-Suttie	Dorian Gray	The Picture of Dorian Gray	Experience Theatre Project
Allen Nause	Henry Drummond	Inherit the Wind	Lakewood Theatre Company
Todd Van Voris	Matthew Harrison Brady	Inherit the Wind	Lakewood Theatre Company
Gerry Birnbach	James	Dealing With Clair	Public Citizen Theatre
Nick Ferrucci	Young Man	Arlington	Third Rail
James Sharinghousen	Casey	The Legend of Georgia McBride	Triangle Productions!
Skye McLaren Walton	Alan	Equus	Twilight Theater Company
Michael J. Teufel	Uncle Peck	How I Learned To Drive	Twilight Theater Company

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Female – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Mamie Colombero	Blue	Beirut	Beirut Theatre
Alexandria Casteele	Jane	Four Last Things	Corrib Theatre
Dana Green	Sugar	Tiny Beautiful Things	Portland Center Stage
Megan Skye Hale	Ariel	The Tempest	Steep & Thorny Way to Heaven
Rebecca Lingfelter	Isla	Arlington	Third Rail
Adria Malcolm	Li’l Bit	How I Learned To Drive	Twilight Theater Company

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Male – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Danny Bruno	Fox	Speed-the-Plow	Asylum Theatre
Norman Wilson	Nick	Bell, Book & Candle	Bag & Baggage
Fredrick Williams-T’Kara	Miss Tracy/Bobby	The Legend of Georgia McBride	Triangle Productions!
Colin Kane	Rexy/Jason	The Legend of Georgia McBride	Triangle Productions!

Outstanding Performances in a Supporting Role, Female – Non-Musical
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Mandana Khoshnevisan	Helga	Deathtrap	Bag & Baggage
Kymberli Colbourne	Miss Holroyd	Bell, Book & Candle	Bag & Baggage
Vana O’Brien	Anne	A Doll’s House, Part 2	Artist Rep
Barbie Wu	Emmy	A Doll’s House, Part 2	Artists Rep
Lauren Modica	Mrs. Jennings	Sense & Sensibility	Portland Center Stage
Jane Bement Geesman	Judy	In the Wake	Profile Theatre
Jamie M. Rea	Amy	In the Wake	Profile Theatre
Kayla Hanson	Young Woman	Arlington	Third Rail

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Male – Small Cast (one to three people)
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Jon Gennari	Travis	Care of Trees	enso theatre ensemble
Heath Koerschgen	Josh, et. al.	Jason and the Argonauts	Oregon Children’s Theatre
James Sharinghousen	Andy, et. al.	Jason and the Argonauts	Oregon Children’s Theatre
Michael O’Connell	Guy	Wakey Wakey	Portland Playhouse

Outstanding Performances in a Leading Role, Female – Small Cast (one to two people)
Actor	Role	Play	Theatre
Merideth Kaye Clark	Em	Tonight Nothing	CoHo Productions
Katherine Murphy Lewis	Kaye	Tonight Nothing	CoHo Productions
Sara Hennessy	Sonya	How to Keep an Alien	Corrib Theatre
Amy Katrina Bryan	Stage Manager	How to Keep an Alien	Corrib Theatre
Maia McCarthy	Mark	Red	Crave Theatre
Kylie Jenifer Rose	Ken	Red	Crave Theatre
Megan Gotz	Georgia	Care of Trees	enso theatre ensemble
Helen Raptis	Sue	I’ll Eat You Last	Triangle Productions!
Margie Boule’	Gov. Ann Richards	Ann	Triangle Productions!
Daria Eliuk	Cindy Lou Who	Who’s Holiday!	Triangle Productions!

Outstanding Technical Designers – Scenic/Lighting/Sound/Music
Designer	Play	Theatre
SETS
Tyler Buswell (scenic)	Dial M for Murder	Bag & Baggage Productions
Tyler Buswell (scenic)	Deathtrap	Bag & Baggage Productions
Jim Ricks-White (scenic)	Peter/Wendy	Bag & Baggage Productions
Tyler Buswell (scenic) & Gabriel Costales (lighting)	Much Ado About Nothing	Bag & Baggage Productions
Sundance Wilson Henry (scenic)	The Diary of Anne Frank	Battle Ground Drama Club
Jennifer Lin (scenic)	Pontypool	CoHo Productions
Rusty Tennant (scenic)	Jesus Hopped the A Train	CoHo Productions
Tyler Buswell (set)	The Picture of Dorian Gray	Experience Theatre Project
Emily Wilken (scenic design)	Wolf at the Door	Milagro
Palmer Hefferan (music composer)	As You Like It	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
John McDermott (scenic)	Sense & Sensibility	Portland Center Stage

Outstanding Designers – Costumes/Props/Make-up/Combat, et. al.
Designer	Play	Theatre
Portrait by Raziah Roushan	The Picture of Dorian Gray	Experience Theatre Project
Carol Triffle & Jerry Mouawad  (costumes/masks)	Zoozoo	Imago Theatre
Children Chorus/Dancers	Matilda	Lakewood Theatre Company
Mindy Escobar-Leanse (puppets)	¡alebrijes!...	Milagro
Susan Tsu (costumes)	Hairspray	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Helen Q. Huang (costumes)	Alice in Wonderland	Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Margaret Louise Chapman (costumes)	A Christmas Carol	Stumptown Stages
Costumes—Donald Horn	The Legend of Georgia McBride	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