One thing became clear by the end of the 9th Annual Henry Awards: Playwright is the real deal.
Although the New York -based writer wasn’t in attendance, he was well represented at the ‘s annual gathering honoring the work of its member theaters.
The Curious Theatre Company’s production of his drama about the return of a Jewish slave-owning scion to his family’s Richmond, Va., estate where he and hold a passover seder, won the Henry for Outstanding Drama. Directors Kate Folkins and Chip Walton were given outstanding direction of play award.
And Lopez’s vivacious and tender comedy, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” which received a Denver Center Theatre Company world premiere in January, took outstanding new play honors.
“The Whipping Man” triumvirate of actors Carjardo Linsdey, Sean Scrutchins and Laurence Curry won the award for outstanding ensemble.
Lindsey also won outstanding male lead in a play for his turn as Simon, the elder of the two former slaves. It was a particularly notable victory: Lindsey came to the production quite late, after Russell Costen’s departure. Laurence Curry took the outstanding supporting actor honors. Lighting designer Shannon McKinney, sound designer Brian Freeland and scenic designer Markas Henry also prevailed.
With 18, the Denver Center Theater Company received the most nominations for a theater. It won five, including the top award for outstanding season.
The company’s got the nod for outstanding production of a musical. Director Bruce Sevy and supporting actress Christine Rowan received awards for their work on the Marx Brothers romp.
came out of the Denver Center’s increasingly muscular program. The play tells the story of a straight Florida man who becomes a female impersonator for economic reasons only to take to drag with the verve of an artist. When Lindsey was accepting his award, he said of Lopez’s other play, “It was the most fun I’d had a show, ever.”
Other Henry Awards winners include: Emma Messenger for her chilling portrayal of a disparaging mom (to put it nicely) in Edge Theatre’s ace production of Martin McDonagh’s
Karen Slack won outstanding lead actress in a play for her reprise of Frida Kahlo in the Aurora Fox’s production of local playwright Melissa Lucero McCarl’s “Painted Bread.”
Outstanding Actress in a musical went to Tari Kelly for her turn as Judy Garland in the Arvada Center’s bold musical undertaking about the icon’s final bid for a comeback.
Outstanding actor in a musical went to the towering T.J. Hogle for his turn in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” produced at the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre.
The Colorado Theatre Guild’s ceramic mask accolade is named for Denver theater champion The 88-year-old was in attendance. The only standing ovation to match Lowenstein’s in duration was that for Lifetime Achievement awardee, actress .
“When I heard I was getting this award, I wanted to cry,” said McBride, who’ll appear in starting July 31 in the with Lawrence Hecht.
“I couldn’t believe people think I’m that old.”
Full List of 9th Henry Award Winners:
Outstanding Direction of a Musical: Bruce Sevy for “Animal Crackers,” Denver Center Theatre Company
Outstanding Musical Direction: David Nehls for “Curtains,” the Arvada Center
Outstanding Direction of a Play: Kate Folkins and Chip Walton for “The Whipping Man.” Curious Theatre Company.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: T.J. Hogle for “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” Breckenridge Backstage Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Tari Kelly for “End of the Rainbow,” Arvada Center
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Cajardo Lindsey for “The Whipping Man,” Curious Theatre Company
Outstanding Actress in a Play: Karen Slack for “Painted Bread,” Aurora Fox Theatre.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical: Colin Alexander for “Curtains,” Arvada Center.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical: Christine Rowan for “Animal Crackers,” Denver Center Theatre Company.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play: Laurence Curry for “The Whipping Man,” Curious Theatre Company
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Emma Messenger for “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” Edge Theater Company
Outstanding Choreography: Kelly Van Oosbree for “Hairspray” – Performance Now Theatre Company
Outstanding Costume Design, Tier 1: Dane Laffrey” for “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Denver Center Theatre Company, Outstanding Costume Design, Tier 2: Rebecca Spafford for “Dangerous Liaisons,” OpenStage Theatre & Company
Outstanding Lighting Design, Tier 1: Shanon McKinney for “The Whipping Man,” Curious Theatre Company.
Outstanding Lighting Design, Tier 2: Shannon McKinney for “Painted Bread,” Aurora Fox
Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier 1: Markas Henry for “The Whipping Man,” Curious Theatre Company. Outstanding Scenic Design, Tier 2: Charles Dean Packard for “Metamorphoses,” Aurora Fox Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design, Tier 1: Brian Freeland for “The Whipping Man,” Curious Theatre Company.
Outstanding Sound Design, Tier 2: William Burns for “Metamorphoses,” Aurora Fox Theatre.
Outstanding New Play: “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Denver Center Theatre Company.
Outstanding Production of a Play, “The Whipping Man,” directors Kate Folkins and Chip Walton, Curious Theatre Company.
Outstanding Production of a Musical: “Animal Crackers,” director Bruc Sevy, musical director Gregg Coffin, Denver Center Theatre Company.
Outstanding Season for a Theatre Company: Denver Center Theatre Company
Outstanding Regional Theatre: Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, Grand Lake.
Excellence in Educational Theatre: Rosey Waters and Imagination Makers
Excellence in Educational Theatre
Lifetime Achievement in Theatre: Billie McBride
Outstanding Puppet Artistry: Cory Gilstrap
Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567, lkennedy@denverpost.com or twitter.com/bylisakennedy
