The quality of community theater in Alexandria was evident again this year as the metropolitan area-wide Washington Area Theatre Community Honors program announced the nominations for its 2002 WATCH awards.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria earned no fewer than 42 nominations in 24 different categories, including productions competing in categories like Outstanding Musical, with The Little Theatre’s production of “The Cocoanuts.”
“Cocoanuts” garnered 15 nominations, including Outstanding Musical, a nomination to Christopher Dykston for Outstanding Direction of a Musical and nominations for four performances, for Allison Gendusa Kennedy and Linda Ray in the featured actress category, and for Duane Monahan and Tony Simione as featured actors.
LTA’s production of “I Hate Hamlet” earned 14 nominations including Outstanding Play, Outstanding Direction of a Play for Frank D. Shutts II and both Bill Brock and Marshall Henderson as featured and lead actor.
The category Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical found Jill Vohr nominated for her performance as Norma in “Victor/Victoria.”
“Sylvia” at LTA had five nominations including Outstanding Play, Outstanding Direction of a Play for C. Evans Kirk, and an Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Play nomination for Amy Miharu Hough, for her portrayal of the title character, a dog who captures the heart of her master.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play was a category that saw a lot of Little Theatre of Alexandria performances nominated. In addition to Hough, Nicole Mestres McDonald was nominated for her performance as Maria Callas in “Master Class” and Karen Jadlos Shotts for her work in “The Heiress.” These three compete in a five-person field with nominees from Maryland companies.
Don Neal, nominated for his performance in “Death of a Salesman” in Arlington, also earned a nomination for his portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the Reston Community Players’ production of “1776,” reprising his much-praised performance from the Little Theatre production of the musical in 1999.
Where & When
Winners of the WATCH Awards will be announced at a gala banquet and awards ceremony at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria, at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 2.
The award program began just three years ago but in that short time the evening has become the major social event for the area’s community theater participants.
Tickets can be purchased for $12.50 at the Birchmere Box office or, with a service charge, by calling Ticketmaster at 703-573-SEAT. More information is available online at www.washingtontheater.org.