One way to gauge San Diego's year in theater is to follow the Craig Noel Awards, which are given out annually by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, which is made up of local theater critics.
The group has announced this year's nominees in 29 categories, with more than 100 nominees from 12 different theaters throughout the county (see list of nominees below). The winners will be announced at a ceremony in La Jolla on January 10, 2011.
The two largest regional theaters, The Old Globe and the La Jolla Playhouse, received the most nominations at 23 and 25 respectively.
Cygnet Theater is strongly represented for their productions of "Sweeney Todd," "The Piano Lesson," and "Private Lives."
Some of the smaller theaters are also recognized, notably Ion Theater, whose production of "Hurlyburly" won 5 nominations including "Outstanding Dramatic Production," "Outstanding Ensemble," and "Outstanding Direction" for Glenn Paris.
This year's awards ceremony will honor three individuals who've made significant contributions to the local theater scene. The actual awards ceremony will be dedicated to its namesake, Craig Noel, who died in April at the age of 94, and Donald Shiley, a local philanthropist who, with his wife Darlene, had been a major supporter of San Diego theater and a sponsor of the Craig Noel Awards. Sandra Ellis-Troy, a local actress who died unexpectedly in November, will be honored through the establishment of a scholarship fund for youth actors.
Here is the list of nominees for the 2010 Craig Noel Awards:
Outstanding Resident Musical
“Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
“Title of Show,” Diversionary Theatre
“Hairspray,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
“MiXtape,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
“Miss Saigon,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Original Score
Duncan Sheik, “Whisper House,” The Old Globe
Christopher Curtis, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding New Musical
“Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
“Whisper House,” The Old Globe
“Robin and the 7 Hoods,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
James Vasquez, “Title of Show,” Diversionary Theatre
Sam Woodhouse, “ Hairspray,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Sean Murray & James Vasquez, “Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
Warren Carlyle & Michael Unger, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Casey Nicholaw, “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Musical Direction
Charlie Reuter, “Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
Eric Stern, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” La Jolla Playhouse
Jon Lorenz, “MiXtape,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Bryan Perri, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Mark Hummel, “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Music for a Play
Mark Bennett, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” La Jolla Playhouse
Scott Paulson, “The Man Who,” New Village Arts
Broken Chord, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female
Andrea Huber, “A Little Night Music,” Lyric Opera San Diego
Deborah Gilmour Smyth, “Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
Bethany Slomka, “Hairspray,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Ashley Brown, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Jennifer Paz, “Miss Saigon,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Male
Rob McClure, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Eric Schneider, “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” The Old Globe
Johann Michael Camat, “Miss Saigon,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male
Tom Zohar, “Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
Kurt Norby, “Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
Steve Gunderson, “Hairspray,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Matthew Scott, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Victor Morris, “Storyville,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
Holly Brook, “Whisper House,” The Old Globe
Kandis Chappell, “A Little Night Music,” Lyric Opera San Diego
Joy Yandell, “MiXtape,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Melissa Fernandes, “Into the Woods,” New Village Arts
Hannah Rose Kornfeld, “Into the Woods,” New Village Arts
Outstanding Choreography
Colleen Kollar Smith, “Ring Round the Moon,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Javier Velasco, “Hairspray,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Warren Carlyle, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Randy Duncan, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Casey Nicholaw, “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Glenn Paris, “Hurlyburly,” Ion Theatre
David Ellenstein, “Ghosts,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, “Eurydice,” Moxie Theatre
Adrian Noble, “The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
Seema Sueko, “Yellow Face, Mo’olelo Performing Arts
Liesl Tommy, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Sound Design
George Ye, “The Piano Lesson,” Cygnet Theatre
Christopher Walker, “The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
Matt Lescault-Wood, “Eurydice,” Moxie Theatre
Broken Chord, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Deborah Gilmour Smyth, “The Glory Man,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Deirdre Clancy, “The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
Jeanne Reith, “The Norman Conquests,” Cygnet Theatre
Linda Cho, “Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin,” La Jolla Playhouse
Gregg Barnes, “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” The Old Globe
Jeanne Reith, “Storyville,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
Matthew Richards, “Whisper House,” The Old Globe
Eric Lotze, “Sweeney Todd,” Cygnet Theatre
Eric Lotze, “Private Lives,” Cygnet Theatre
Alan Burrett, “The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
Lap Chi Chu, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Set Design
Michael Schweikardt, “Whisper House,” The Old Globe
Andrew Hull, “Private Lives,” Cygnet Theatre
Rachel Hauck, “Surf Report,” La Jolla Playhouse
Clint Ramos, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Ralph Funicello, “The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Ensemble
“Hurlyburly,” Ion Theatre
“King Lear,” The Old Globe
“The Piano Lesson,” Cygnet Theatre
“The Norman Conquests,” Cygnet Theatre
“Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Female
Karson St. John, “Hurlyburly,” Ion theatre
Miriam White, “Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue,” Ion Theatre
Aubrey Saverino, “King Lear,” The Old Globe
Carla Duren, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Zainab Jah, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Male
Avery Glymph, “The Whipping Man,” The Old Globe
Todd Blakesley, “Eurydice,” Moxie Theatre
Michael Stewart Allen, “King Lear,” The Old Globe
Mark Pinter, “Becky's New Car,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Brian Bielawski, “Yellow Face,” Mo’olelo Performing Arts
Jay Whitaker, Old Globe Shakespeare Festival body of work
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male
Francis Gercke, “Hurlyburly,” Ion theatre
Mark Christopher Lawrence, “The Piano Lesson,” Cygnet Theatre
Richard Baird, “Ghosts,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Miles Anderson, “The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
Greg Watanabe, “Yellow Face,” Mo’olelo Performing Arts
Sean Cox, “The Crucible,” Moxie Theatre & Intrepid Shakespeare Company
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Female
Rachael VanWormer, “Speech and Debate,” Diversionary Theatre
Rosina Reynolds, “Ghosts,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
DeAnna Driscoll, “Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” Ion Theatre
Shana Wride, “Private Lives,” Cygnet Theatre
Tonye Patano, “Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Touring Production
“Aurelia’s Oratorio,” La Jolla Playhouse
“Burn the Floor,” Broadway/San Diego
“Notes From Underground,” La Jolla Playhouse
“Culture Clash in AmeriCCa,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Dramatic Production
“Hurlyburly,” Ion Theatre
“Ghosts,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
“The Madness of George III,” The Old Globe
“Yellow Face,” Mo’olelo Performing Arts
“Ruined,” La Jolla Playhouse
Other awards to be announced on Jan. 10:
Outstanding New Play
Outstanding Performance in a Touring Production
Outstanding Young Artist
Producer of the Year
Actor of the Year
Des McAnuff New Visions Award
