Indie theatre productions score big in local theatre awards
They may be small, but the independent theatres were the big winners at this year's Betty Mitchell Awards.
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The Bettys, now in their 26th year, recognize excellence in Calgary's professional theatres.
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Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Makambe K. Simamba's solo show, produced by Toronto's Tarragon Theatre and presented in Calgary by Verb and Handsome Alice theatres – was the big winner. It was named outstanding production of a play, and won Simamba a Betty for outstanding lead performance in a drama, as well as a joint award with Shakeil Rollock for outstanding choreography.
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Handsome Alice was also the production company behind Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby, Sonia Deleo's solo show about an unwanted pregnancy. Deleo was awarded a Betty for her original composition for the show.
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Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre's production of Static: A Party Girl's Memoir earned a Betty for Jamie Cesar for outstanding performance in a comedy, while fledgling opera company Ammolite Opera saw Geoffrey Schellenberg take home the award for outstanding supporting performance in a musical.
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Sage Theatre's production of Mary Stuart saw Javier Vilalta named outstanding director of a drama, while Ghost River Theatre's production of Echoes of the Land won outstanding musical direction for Clarence Wolfleg, Skip Wolfleg, Eric Rose, Kris Demeanor, Jennie Esdale, Cedric Lightning, Alanna Bluechild, Kenna Burima, and Tauran.
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Legally Blonde, which is a joint production of Theatre Calgary and The Citadel Theatre, picked up Bettys for Kelsey Verzotti for lead performance, Patricia Zentilli for best supporting performance, as well as outstanding production of a musical.
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Theatre Calgary's production of Awoowaakii won Sable Sweetgrass the award for outstanding new script, as well as Bettys for Marshall Vielle as outstanding lead performance in a comedy, and for John Doucet for his design of the show.
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The Play that Goes Wrong, which was a joint production of Theatre Calgary, The Citadel and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, took home the Betty for outstanding performance by an ensemble.
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Alberta Theatre Projects won a Betty for Relamy Kneeshaw's costumes in Charlotte's Web, while its production of The Seafarer earned Christopher Hunt the Betty for outstanding supporting performance in a drama.
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Vertigo Theatre's The Da Vinci Code won a Betty for Andy Moro's video designs, and its production of The Woman in Black won Narda McCarroll a Betty for her lighting design.
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Article content They may be small, but the independent theatres were the big winners at this year's Betty Mitchell Awards. Article content The Bettys, now in their 26th year, recognize excellence in Calgary's professional theatres. Article content Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers – Makambe K. Simamba's solo show, produced by Toronto's Tarragon Theatre and presented in Calgary by Verb and Handsome Alice theatres – was the big winner. It was named outstanding production of a play, and won Simamba a Betty for outstanding lead performance in a drama, as well as a joint award with Shakeil Rollock for outstanding choreography. Article content Article content Handsome Alice was also the production company behind Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby, Sonia Deleo's solo show about an unwanted pregnancy. Deleo was awarded a Betty for her original composition for the show. Article content Article content Inside Out and Chromatic Theatre's production of Static: A Party Girl's Memoir earned a Betty for Jamie Cesar for outstanding performance in a comedy, while fledgling opera company Ammolite Opera saw Geoffrey Schellenberg take home the award for outstanding supporting performance in a musical. Article content Sage Theatre's production of Mary Stuart saw Javier Vilalta named outstanding director of a drama, while Ghost River Theatre's production of Echoes of the Land won outstanding musical direction for Clarence Wolfleg, Skip Wolfleg, Eric Rose, Kris Demeanor, Jennie Esdale, Cedric Lightning, Alanna Bluechild, Kenna Burima, and Tauran. Article content Article content Legally Blonde, which is a joint production of Theatre Calgary and The Citadel Theatre, picked up Bettys for Kelsey Verzotti for lead performance, Patricia Zentilli for best supporting performance, as well as outstanding production of a musical. Article content Theatre Calgary's production of Awoowaakii won Sable Sweetgrass the award for outstanding new script, as well as Bettys for Marshall Vielle as outstanding lead performance in a comedy, and for John Doucet for his design of the show. Article content Article content The Play that Goes Wrong, which was a joint production of Theatre Calgary, The Citadel and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, took home the Betty for outstanding performance by an ensemble. Article content Alberta Theatre Projects won a Betty for Relamy Kneeshaw's costumes in Charlotte's Web, while its production of The Seafarer earned Christopher Hunt the Betty for outstanding supporting performance in a drama. Article content Vertigo Theatre's The Da Vinci Code won a Betty for Andy Moro's video designs, and its production of The Woman in Black won Narda McCarroll a Betty for her lighting design.
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