Last night marked an event that brought the Philadelphia theatre community together to recognize the accomplishments of these great artists – The Barrymore Awards. These awards recognize “artists for excellence and innovation while increasing public awareness of the richness and diversity of our city's thriving theatre community.” That being said, being in attendance last night was a huge reminder that Philadelphia has a thriving arts community that not only produces incredible theatre, but is also full of remarkably talented individuals who are creative and passionate and raise the bar for the arts in Philadelphia.
In general, what struck me about last night’s award ceremony is how everyone supported each other throughout the evening. In addition, the event not only celebrates this incredible Arts community, but it provides a wonderful venue to inform the public about all the diverse and important theatre that is being produced in Philadelphia. Lastly, it was a reminder that theatre is flourishing in Philadelphia, and that there is such important work being done here. The Barrymore Awards is a way the Philadelphia theatre community honors their accomplishments.
Full List of Barrymore Award Winners:
Outstanding Overall Production of a Play - The Whale (Theatre Exile)
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical - Into the Woods (Theatre Horizon)
Outstanding Direction of a Play - Matt Pfeiffer (The Whale, Theatre Exile)
Outstanding Direction of a Musical - Matthew Decker (Into the Woods, Theatre Horizon)
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play - Scott Greer (The Whale, Theatre Exile)
Charlotte Cushman Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play - Catharine Slusar (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Theatre Exile)
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical - Ben Dibble (Herringbone, Flashpoint Theatre Company)
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical - Liz Filios (Passion, Arden Theatre Company)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play - Dan Hodge (The Fair Maid of the West, Philadelphia Artists’ Collective)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play - Campbell O’Hare (Rapture, Blister, Burn, The Wilma Theater)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical - Michael Philip O’Brien (Field Hockey Hot, 11th Hour Theatre Company)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical - Leah Walton (Field Hockey Hot, 11th Hour Theatre Company)
Outstanding Scenic Design - Kristen Robinson (Rapture, Blister, Burn, The Wilma Theater)
Earl Girls Award for Outstanding Costume Design - Marla Jurglanis (Bach at Leipzig, People’s Light)
Outstanding Lighting Design - Russell H. Champa (brownsville song (b-side for tray), Philadelphia Theatre Company)
Clear Sound Award for Outstanding Sound Design - Christopher Colucci (The Whale, Theatre Exile)
Outstanding Original Music - ILL DOOTS (Hands Up: 6 Playwrights, 6 Testaments, Flashpoint Theatre Company)
Outstanding Choreography/Movement - Samantha Reading (Bach at Leipzig, People’s Light)
Outstanding Music Direction - Amanda Morton (Into the Woods, Theatre Horizon)
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play - Little Rock (Passage Theatre Company)
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical - Into the Woods (Theatre Horizon)
Independence Foundation Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical - Caught by Christopher Chen (InterAct Theatre Company)
F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist - Akeem Davis
Virginia Brown Martin Philadelphia Award - The Dangerous House of Pretty Mbane (InterAct Theatre Company)
June and Steve Wolfson Award for an Evolving Theatre Company - Philadelphia Artists’ Collective
Lifetime Achievement Award - Johnnie Hobbs, Jr.
Congratulations to all the Award recipients and a big round of applause for the entire Philadelphia Theatre community.
Kelli Curtin is editor and writer for theatresensation.com. In addition, she is a contributor for the online site broadwayworld.com. Kelli is excited to share her passion about theatre and the Arts with her readers. Kelli can be found on Twitter, Facebook and on Instagram