“The Ballad of Emmett Till” by ion theatre took top honors when the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle honored local theatre at the 16th annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence.
The ceremony at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation on Monday drew nearly 500 people, many of whom wore black clothes and/or white roses in solidarity with the #MeToo movement.
The evening’s most honored productions were “The Battle of Emmett Till” with four awards and “In the Heights” at Moonlight Stage Productions with three awards. Cygnet Theatre and ion theatre were big winners, with four awards each.
The actors of the year, recognized for multiple, wide-ranging performances during 2017, were Jennifer Paredes and Cortez L. Johnson.
The complete list of winners:
Outstanding Dramatic Production
“The Ballad of Emmett Till” — ion theatre
Outstanding Resident Musical
“In The Heights” — Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding New Musical
“Tarrytown” by Adam Wachter — Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Outstanding New Play & Performing Arts LIVE Prize
“Ballast” by Georgette Kelly — Diversionary Theatre
Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Small Theater
OnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista
Actor of the Year, Female
Jennifer Paredes
Actor of the Year, Male
Cortez L. Johnson
Outstanding Young Artist — Sandra Ellis-Troy Award
Scotty Atienza
Outstanding Special Event
“8 Songs for a Mad King,” Bodhi Tree Concerts, San Diego International Fringe Festival
Outstanding Touring Production
“An American in Paris” — Broadway San Diego
Outstanding Direction of a Play
- Yolanda Marie Franklin & Claudio Raygoza — “The Ballad of Emmett Till,” ion theatre
- Christy Yael-Cox – “Father Comes Home from the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3,” Intrepid Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
James Vasquez — “In the Heights,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Musical Direction
Elan McMahan — “In the Heights,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Choreography
Carlos Mendoza — “In the Heights,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Ensemble
“The Ballad of Emmett Till” — ion theatre
Outstanding Solo Performance
- James Lecesne — “The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey,” The Old Globe
- Shana Wride — “2.5 Minute Ride,” Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Male
Richard Bermudez — “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Welk Resort Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female
Minka Wiltz — “Black Pearl Sings,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
Cashae Monya — “Cabaret,” ion theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male
Randall Hickman — “The Little Mermaid,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Female
DeAnna Driscoll – “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male
Caleb Foote — “Hand to God,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Female
Annie Hinton — “Well,” Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Male
Tom Stephenson — “Father Comes Home from the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3,” Intrepid Theatre
Outstanding Scenic Design
Sean Fanning — “On the 20th Century,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design
Joanna Lynne Staub — “Wild Goose Dreams,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Costume Design
Shirley Pierson — “Shockheaded Peter,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
Conor Mulligan — “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds,” Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Projection Design
Michael McKeon — “Silent Sky,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Founded in 1983 and re-established in 2002, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is an independent, nonprofit organization of print and online theater critics dedicated to open and honest dialogue about theater in San Diego County and to honoring artistic excellence.