32nd Carbonell Award Winners Announced at Broward Center for the Performing Arts

On April 7th, 2008, the Broward Center played host to the 32nd Annual Carbonell Award Ceremony. Theatres from all over South Florida gathered to celebrate a year of exceptional productions. Below is a list of winners.

COMBINED (Plays & Musicals)

Best New Work (Play or Musical, Award To Author): Michael McKeever, Melt, New Theatre.

Best Ensemble Production (Play or Musical): Glengarry Glen Ross, Mosaic Theatre.

PLAYS

Best Production of a Play: The Lieutenant of Inishmore, GableStage

Best Director/Play: Joseph Adler, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, GableStage

Best Actor/Play: Paul Tei, Talk Radio, Mosaic Theatre

Best Actress/Play: Lela Elam, In the Continuum, GableStage

Best Supporting Actor/Play: Paul Tei, Glengarry Glen Ross, Mosaic Theatre

Best Supporting Actress/Play: Kim Morgan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, GableStage.

MUSICALS

Best Production of a Musical: Man of La Mancha, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Director/Musical: Peter Flynn, Man of La Mancha, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Actor/Musical: Gary Marachek, La Cage aux Folles, Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

Best Actress/Musical: Irene Adjan, Funny Girl, New Vista Theatre Company

Best Supporting Actor/Musical: Jim Ballard, Urinetown, Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

Best Supporting Actress/Musical: Rachel Jones, Urinetown, Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

Musical Direction/Musical: David Nagy, Urinetown, Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

Choreography/Musical: Denis Jones, The Boy Friend, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

DESIGN (Plays and Musicals)

Best Scenic Design: Dan Kuchar, The Boy Friend, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Lighting Design: Donald Edmund Thomas, Man of La Mancha, Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

Best Costume Design: Jose M. Rivera, The Boy Friend, Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Best Sound Design: Matt Corey, Talk Radio, Mosaic Theatre

Stock/Road Show Awards (Touring, Independent Productions, Plays and Musicals Combined)

Best Production: Monty Python's Spamalot, Broadway Across America

Best Director: Mike Nichols, Monty Python's Spamalot, Broadway Across America.

Choreography/Musical: Graciela Daniele, Chita Rivera - The Dancer's Life, Broadway Across America.

Best Actor: Michael Siberry, Monty Python's Spamalot (in the role of Arthur), Broadway Across America.

Best Actress: Rachel York, Camelot (in the role of Guinevere), Broadway Across America.

Best Supporting Actor: Tim Jerome, My Fair Lady (in the role of Alfred P. Doolittle), Broadway Across America.

Best Supporting Actress: Sally Ann Howes, My Fair Lady (in the role of Mrs. Higgins), Broadway Across America.

Best Scenic Design: Anthony Ward, My Fair Lady, Broadway Across America

Best Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone, Monty Python's Spamalot, Broadway Across America.

Best Costume Design: Anthony Ward, My Fair Lady, Broadway Across America.

SPECIAL AWARDS

The George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts, awarded for significant contributions to the artistic and cultural development of the region- Jack Zink

The Howard Kleinberg Award, given in special recognition for contributions to the health and development of the arts in South Florida: Theatre League of South Florida

The Ruth Foreman Award: Michael Hall

The Bill Hindman Award, recognizing significant long-term contributions to the region's cultural life: Rafael de Acha

Congratulations to all winners and a thank you for keeping the Theatre atmosphere in South Florida thriving.

Kravis Center Introduces “Kravis On Broadway” For the 2008-2009 Season Including a South Florida Premier

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts has announced it’s own season of Broadway productions called “Kravis on Broadway”. Consisting of five different shows, Kravis has put together an amazing season full of well-known musicals including a South Florida premier.

Starting off the season, from November 25^th to 30^th, will be the 2004 Tony award winning musical, Avenue Q. Set in New York City, this show tells the story about people with big dreams and small bank accounts. Based around a young man named Princeton and his neighbors as they try to find jobs, dates and their purpose in life. Through cute and witty songs, adult audiences are sure to have a great night after seeing this Broadway blockbuster.

To start the 2009 Year off, audiences will be transported back to the 1920’s in the Tony winning musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. Winning the most awards of any musical on Broadway in one year, this show revolves around a man who is a fan of a musical entitled, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Once the record plays, the audience and "the man in the chair" are transported into the year 1928 and experience the show itself. Originally starring Sutton Foster, this upbeat and whimsical show will leave audiences soaring and wanting more.

Like, Omigod!, for the mid-season show, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be host to the South Florida premier of Legally Blonde, The Musical. Based on the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this musical tells the story of Elle Woods, a determined blonde who goes above and beyond normal means to prove that she is not a product of the blonde stereotype. After hitting Broadway and MTV, Legally Blonde comes to West Palm Beach. Don’t miss this winning production from March 17^th to March 22^nd.

Next, take a trip to Anatevka with Tevye and his family as Fiddler on the Roof dances it’s way to Palm Beach from April 14^th to April 19^th. Being one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history and featuring music that is included in Broadway songbooks worldwide, Fiddler is sure to bring joy and happiness to all audiences. This tour is starring Topol, the man who brought Tevye to life on film. Audiences will leave singing and dancing to the classic Fiddler hits, such as “Sunrise, Sunset”, “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker."

Finishing the season, the Kravis Center will be caught in a twister and transported to the land of Oz in The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy and her friends as she battles the Wicked Witch of the West and tries to get home. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, this musical features all of the popular music from the Academy Award winning movie, such as “Over the Rainbow” and “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead”. Skip down the yellow brick road to the Kravis Center and see The Wizard of Oz from May 12th to May 17th.

For ticket information, contact Kravis Center at 561-832-7469 or www.kravis.org/broadway. For more information on upcoming Broadway performances, please visit www.5minstocurtain.com

Broadway Across America Announces It's 2008-2009 Season in Ft. Lauderdale

Broadway Across America has announced it’s 2008-2009 season for Ft. Lauderdale at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. This season will feature six feature performances, including three Tony Award winners, an Olivier nominated musical, and a musical being made into a summer movie.

Starting off the season, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will fly into the Broward Center from November 18^th to the 30^th. The three time Olivier nominated show is based on the 1968 movie by James Bond creator, Ian Fleming and starring Dick Van Dyke. The musical tells the story of a magical car and the adventure it takes a struggling family on. Through well-known songs, such as “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Toot Sweets”, this show will bring families to their feet and smiles to their faces.

Arriving next will be the Tony Award winning comedy, Avenue Q. This adult-themed puppet musical tells the story of Princeton and his neighbors as they try to find jobs, dates, and their purpose in life. Entertainment Weekly has called it “one of the funniest shows you will ever see.” Just because this is a puppet-oriented show, don’t expect this to be a family musical; Parental guidance is extremely advised. Avenue Q will be in your neighborhood from December 30^th to January 11^th.

Next, audiences will meet a “Dancing Queen” when Mamma Mia dances it’s way into Ft. Lauderdale from January 20^th to February 1^st. Featuring music by ABBA, Mamma Mia is the story of a young girl named Sophie, who is getting married but doesn’t know who her father is. As a plan, she invites all three possible men and the chaos ensues. Audiences who have seen the show before will not want to miss the movie, which opens this summer starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.

Enter behind the scenes of a production when the 9 time Tony winner, A Chorus Line moves it’s way into audience’s hearts from February 17^th to March 1^st. Debuting on Broadway on July 25^th, 1975, A Chorus Line is the longest running American musical in history. Featuring hits such as, “One”, “Dance Ten; Looks Three”, and “What I Did For Love”, theatre lovers old and new will fall in love with this classical musical.

Taking a break from musicals, the most popular woman in the world will be visiting South Florida when Dame Edna brings her First Last Tour to Parker Playhouse from March 10^th to March 29^th. Her famous comedy routines have earned her a Tony in 2000 with her Royal Tour and a nomination in 2004 with her “Back With a Vengeance” show. Be sure to catch this hysterical performance that will leave you wanting more.

Closing the curtains for the 2008-2009 Season will be the 2006 Tony award winner for Best Musical, Jersey Boys. This top-grossing musical tells the story of four boys who sang their way to #1 and on the charts and became Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Jersey Boys features hits such as “Sherie”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, and “You’re Just Too Good To Be True.” Be sure to catch this seat-filling show when it hits Broward Center from April 8^th to May 3^rd.

For more information or to buy tickets visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or call 954-462-0222. For further information about upcoming productions, visit www.5minstocurtain.com.

12 Angry Men Makes Audiences Very Happy and Teaches Us That "Prejudice Obscures the Truth"

Critics Rating- 3.5 out of 5 spotlights

12 Angry Men, the classic play, written in 1954 as a teleplay, arrived at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts last Tuesday to a small but appreciative audience. Currently starring Richard Thomas, this production, written by Reginald Rose and presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company is sure to deliver an emotional piece of acting.

12 Angry Men tells the story of a jury deliberation in 1945. 12 jurors are sent into a jury room to decide if a 16 year old is guilty of murdering his aggressive father. At the first vote, the decision is 11-1 in favor of guilty and it is up to one juror to convince 11 other members that he is not guilty. Throughout the performance, personal prejudices are exposed and people are revealed as to who they really are.

Richard Thomas, best known for his role in The Waltons, plays Juror #8, the role most known as being played by Henry Fonda in the 1957 classic movie. Even though Thomas did not fully fulfill his obligation of being persuasive, the full cast pulled him through and made the performance a very enjoyable night. Thomas seemed to be smiling the entire show and even though his demeanor did not fit a courthouse, he delivered his case.

The other 11 jurors were absolutely amazing. Specific recognition belongs to Juror #3, played by Julian Gamble. #3 is the most stubborn juror in the play and Mr. Gamble plays the role perfectly. Through constant yelling and a rude demeanor, Juror #3 is the character in the play that the audiences are attracted to hate. Also, Juror #7, played by Mark Morettini, is another character that shows the prejudices of man. In the beginning of the play, the audience learns that this juror has tickets to a baseball game that night. He cares more about the game then he does the outcome of the trial.

Through five main testimonies and physical evidence, the case and the truth of all jurors are revealed. Audiences will be mesmerized as to the final outcome of the show and will be sure to give a standing ovation at the curtain call.

The Roundabout Theatre Company and Stanford’s Broadway Across America present 12 Angry Men. This longest running play at the Roundabout Theatre Company played for 260 performances and was nominated for three Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play. Currently playing through May 4^th, this show is the last production for the 2007-2008 Broadway Across America Fort Lauderdale season.

For further information about The Roundabout Theatre Company, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org. For further information about the 2008-2009 Broadway Across America Ft. Lauderdale season, visit www.5minstocurtain.com or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

New play gets reading at Naked Stage

By Kevin Johnson

When Andie Arthur was still in her hometown of Chicago, she noticed her friends and their relationships crumbling around her. “A lot of hearts were broken during time when the last Harry Potter book came out,” she said, “Seems like it was time to talk about it.” This was the arc that fleshed out A Girls Guide to Saving the Universe, Arthur’s new work that will have a reading this Monday.

Girl’s Guide focuses on a student named Penny, whose boyfriend is the savior of a country located under a Chicago El train station. Penny’s beau has disappeared and she is trying to find him; what she finds is that her man is not the person she thought he was. “It’s a story about a young woman figuring out that she can stand on her own,” says Arthur, “Penny finds out what happens to him and realizes that this wasn’t the person she knew.”

With her BFA degree in playwriting, this DePaul graduate migrated from the Windy City to reside in South Florida. “It was too cold; besides my family lives here, so it made sense to move.” Her transition has given her good dividends: Arthur has been appointed as Executive Director of the Theatre League of South Florida, a network organization of theatre artists and companies in this specific region.

Along with her duties as an administrator, Arthur has been looking for connections to hone her craft as a writer. She seems to have found it with the Naked Stage, a company that will present Girls’ Guide on Monday. This will be the second time Arthur has collaborated with the Naked Stage: she contributed a short piece for their 24-Hour Theatre project late October. “I felt that (Naked Stage)’s mission to stretch boundaries of theatre related to what was going on back in my hometown, so that’s what drew me to them.”

But just because her piece is getting a public read doesn’t mean that her work is complete; Arthur is still busy rewriting and probably will be tooling afterwards: “I come from the Chicago style of writing” Arthur explains, “Part of the process of creating a great play is keep at it until you get it right.”

Maybe that’s why Tracy Letts brought the Pulitzer back to the Second City with his acclaimed work, August: Osage County. “It’s an exciting time for Chicago writers”, says Arthur, “With Steppenwolf and House Theatre of Chicago providing places for local writers to branch out, it makes me feel good about where I’m from.”

Now Andie Arthur will bring that spirit here and put it to good use. The reading of Girls’ Guide will be presented on Monday, April 21^st, 7:30pm at the Pelican Theatre on the campus of Barry University in Miami Shores. For more information, please call 954-261-1785 or visit our website at www.5minstocurtain.com.

Camelot had “Camelittle”

Critics Rating- 2.5 out of 5 Spotlights

Camelot, currently playing at the Kravis Center, is being presented by Broadway Across America through April 20^th. Currently starring Lou Diamond Phillips, this production was sure to bring the classic Lerner and Loewe’s musical back to life and to the stage. Unfortunately, if Phillips pulled Excalibur from the stone to become Arthur, he should put it back in.

Being a Tony nominated actor for his portrayal in The King and I, Phillips did not have a note in this show that could be called worthy of an excellent performance. I have heard previous recordings of Camelot and know it to be a fact that Arthur’s role is a lot of speaking during songs instead of singing, but I really can’t recall a time when Phillips sang a memorable note by himself.

Alongside Lou Diamond Phillips, Matt Bogart plays the French knight, Sir Lancelot, who along with Guenevere, become the downfall of Camelot. The general performance of Bogart was very well done, including his performance of "C'est Moi". His swordplay was beautifully choreographed and his connections with the other two actors were right on target. The only downfall that I had with Lancelot was his musical performance of “If Ever I Would Leave You” which is his signature piece in the show.

The saving grace of the show was Rachel de Benedet who played Lady Guenevere. A golden voice matched a beautiful presentation of a woman torn between two men and a country kingdom. Her many musical numbers were really something to look forward to and never disappointed this critic.

Additional recognition goes to Christian Whelan for his portrayal of Sir Lionel and to an excellent performance from Time Winters for his dual roles of Merlyn and Pellinore.

Besides the performance, the stage was beautifully decorated, and the costumes were well designed, especially the white ceremonial outfits worn by Arthur and Guenevere.

Musical performances were unfortunately way too loud. They continuously drowned out what little voice Phillips had and during “If Ever I Would Leave You”, overplayed the vocals of Matt Bogart. Throughout the performance, the music was the only thing that was heard in every song since the vocals were very difficult.

Camelot will be playing from April 15^th to the 20^th at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, please visit www.kravis.org or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. For information on future shows please visit www.5minstocurtain.com

Winokur Tells the Judges, "You Can't Stop My Beat"

On week 2, Marissa danced the jive with her partner, Tony, to Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend". After the dance, Lance said it was "a little bit careful." Carrie told Marissa that it was "boring" and Bruno said that the dance was like she was in a rehearsal. For their score, Marissa and Tony received a 19 out of 30. The audience did not agree and kept her in for another week. Dancing With the Stars said goodbye to Steve Guttenburg.

For week 3, the pair danced the pasodoble. After a seemingly flawless performance, Lance proclaimed that "The true Marissa came out". Carrie, after calling last week, "boring", said that it was "fantastic" and she had been waiting for that. Bruno said that Marissa "let go of the safety net" and all three gave them an 8 for a total of 24 out of 30, which is the best score they have received. Adam Carolla was booted from the show for week 3.