The community theaters of the Morongo Basin have been recognized by the Desert Theatre League for more than 100 Desert Star Award nominations for the 2015/2016 theater season. The awards cover the entire Coachella Valley and include both the Hi- and Low-Desert theaters. Twentynine Palms’ Theatre 29, Joshua Trees’ Hi-Desert Playhouse, Yucca Valley’s St. Joseph’s Players and Morongo Valley’s Groves Cabin Theatre all garnered multiple nominations. Reporter Rebecca Havely shares the Theatre 29 nominees and Managing Editor Tami Roleff has the breakdown for other local productions…
Theatre 29 garnered a total of 26 Desert Theatre League nominations this season. Jared Phillips received a nomination for Lead Actor in a Drama for “Man From Earth.” “The Sunshine Boys” has two nominations for Best Director Eddie Tucker and for Best Actor in a Comedy, Kurt Schauppner. “Don’t Hug Me, I’m Pregnant” garnered three nods: Best Director of a Musical, Marty Neider; Best Musical Director Kathryn Ferguson; and the Best Supporting Actor in a Musical nomination went to Edward Pierce. The Addams Family received eight nominations including Best Production of a Musical. Kathryn Ferguson was nominated for both her artistic and musical direction. Derik Shopinski’s choreography and makeup design were nominated as well as best actor in a musical Charles Harvey, and Best Juvenile Amanda Mohn. Also nominated were Kathryn Ferguson and Derik Shopinski’s costume designs. “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” garnered a total of nine nominations including Best Production of a Musical, Best Director Gary Daigneault and Best Musical Director Ed Will. Jonathan Fries was the nominee for Supporting Actor “Don’t Hug Me, I’m Pregnant.” “Farndale Christmas Carol” had three nominations (Lead Actress – Comedy Kathryn Ferguson; Supporting Actor – Comedy Edward Pierce; and Director Marty Neider). And under special awards is Charles Harvey, who was nominated for the Sidney Harmon Award. Lead actress Char Childs and supporting actors Robin Wilson and Chris Fleischman were nominated, as well as Juvenile Actor Ethan Flores. Mandi Pushkar’s choreography and Ferguson’s costume design’s round out the impressive list of Theatre 29 nominees.
Managing editor Tami Roleff has the Desert Star nominations for the Hi-Desert Cultural Center, St. Joseph’s Players, and Grove’s Cabin.
Joshua Tree’s Hi-Desert Cultural Center received 54 Desert Star nominations from the Desert Theatre League. The center’s youth theater production, “The Lion King Jr.” won 10 nominations. The drama “Red” won seven nominations; “Auto Parts” received four. The musical “The Spitfire Grill” received eight. The comedy “An Actor’s Carol” received seven nominations, including the Bill Groves Award for Outstanding Original Writing. “Dog Logic” received one. The playhouse received 17 nominations for staged readings for “La Comedia,” “Other Desert Cities,” and “Motherhood Out Loud.”
The St. Joseph’s Players in Yucca Valley received five nominations for “Broadway Bound,” including a best director nomination for Z107.7’s Rebecca Havely.
The Groves Cabin Theatre in Morongo Valley received 17 nominations, including eight for “Driving Miss Daisy” and a best director nod for Rebecca Havely; four for “The Sea Horse,” including best actress for Rebecca Havely, and five for “Tea at Five.”
And finally, a shout-out to Scott Clinkscales of Twentynine Palms who received a nomination for supporting actor in the musical “Altar Boyz” at Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs.
A complete list of the local nominees:
YOUTH THEATRE:
Outstanding Production-Musical-Youth Theatre
The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Director-Youth Theatre
Howard Shangraw – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Actor-Musical-Youth Theatre
Aidan Bosworth – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Actress-Musical-Youth Theatre
Brooklyn Kettler – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Actor-Musical-Youth Theatre
Cooper Hopton – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Actress-Musical-Youth Theatre
Mackenzie Naylor – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
DRAMA
Outstanding Production of a Drama
Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Tea at Five – Groves Cabin Theatre
The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama
Abe Daniels – The Sea Horse – Groves Cabin Theatre
Wendy Cohen/Marge Doyle – Tea at Five – Groves Cabin Theatre
Rebecca Havely – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Steve Stajich – Auto Parts – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama – Professional
Howard Shangraw – Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
Scott Cuttler – The Sea Horse – Groves Cabin Theatre
Horace Miller – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Jared Phillips – Jerome Bixby’s Man from Earth – Theatre 29
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama – Professional
Howard Shangraw – Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Susan Brundage – Tea at Five – Groves Cabin Theatre
Joy Groves – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Rebecca Havely – The Sea Horse – Groves Cabin Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
David Jessup – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama – Professional
Trevor Anthony – Auto Parts – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Leo Mancini – Auto Parts – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Arthur Pembrook – Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama – Professional
Angela Stern – Auto Parts – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
MUSICAL/OPERA/PAGEANT
Outstanding Production Musical/Opera/Pageant
The Addams Family – Theatre 29
Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Director of a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Gary Daigneault – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Kathryn Ferguson – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
Marty Neider – Don’t Hug Me, I’m Pregnant – Theatre 29
Outstanding Director of a Musical/Opera/Pageant – Professional
Howard Shangraw – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Musical Director of a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Kathryn Ferguson – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
Kathryn Ferguson – Don’t Hug Me, I’m Pregnant – Theatre 29
Ed Will – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Outstanding Musical Director of a Musical/Opera/Pageant – Professional
Nelms McKelvain – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
The Michele Gaines Award for Outstanding Choreographer of a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Mandy Pushkar – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Derik Shopinski – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Jonathan Fries – Don’t Hug Me, I’m Pregnant – Theatre 29
Charles Harvey – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Char Childs – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Haley Kooyman – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Scott Clinkscales – Altar Boyz – Palm Canyon Theatre
Chris Fleischman – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Alexander Warren – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical/Opera/Pageant
Miri Hunter – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Analisa Pilecki – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Robin Wilson – Disney’s The Little Mermaid -Theatre 29
The Bill Groves Award for Outstanding Juvenile
Ethan Flores – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Amanda Mohn – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
COMEDY
Outstanding Production-Comedy
An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Director of a Comedy
Rebecca Havely – Broadway Bound – The St. Joseph’s Players
Marty Neider – A Farndale Avenue Christmas Carol – Theatre 29
Eddie Tucker – The Sunshine Boys – Theatre 29
Outstanding Director of a Comedy – Professional
Charles Evered – An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy
Doran Ray – Dog Logic – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Kurt Schauppner – The Sunshine Boys – Theatre 29
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Professional
Hal Linden – An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy
Kathryn Ferguson – A Farndale Avenue Christmas Carol – Theatre 29
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Bob Noble – Broadway Bound – The St. Joseph’s Players
Edward Pierce – A Farndale Avenue Christmas Carol – Theatre 29
Cyrus Short – Broadway Bound – The St. Joseph’s Players
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy – Professional
Ben Atkinson – An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Kirk Geiger – An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Noelle Geiger – An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
STAGED READING
Outstanding Production-Staged Reading
La Comedia – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Other Desert Cities – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Director of a Staged Reading
Andy Harmon – La Comedia – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Director of a Staged Reading – Professional
Suzanne Avalon – Other Desert Cities – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Howard Shangraw – Motherhood Out Loud – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Male Performer in a Staged Reading
Andy Harmon – La Comedia – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Male Performer in a Staged Reading – Professional
Barry Cutler – Shylock – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Howard Shangraw – Other Desert Cities – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Female Performer in a Staged Reading
Miri Hunter – Motherhood Out Loud – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Boel Larsson – La Comedia – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lead Female Performer in a Staged Reading – Professional
Suzanne Avalon – Other Desert Cities – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Jeanette Knight – Motherhood Out Loud – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Meg Wolf – Other Desert Cities – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Male Performer in a Staged Reading
Cody Hanford – Desert Stories IX – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Male Performer in a Staged Reading – Professional
Howard Shangraw – Motherhood Out Loud – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Supporting Female Performer in a Staged Reading
Analisa Pilecki – Motherhood Out Loud – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Bianca Stoker – Motherhood Out Loud – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
The Bill Groves Award for Outstanding Original Writing
Charles Evered – An Actor’s Carol – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Outstanding Set Design
Wendy Cohen/Marge Doyle – Tea at Five – Groves Cabin Theatre
Rebecca Havely/Sam Havely – Broadway Bound – The St. Joseph’s Players
Doran Ray – The Spitfire Grill – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Karl Weimer – The Sea Horse – Groves Cabin Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Kathryn Ferguson – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Theatre 29
Amy Angel/Patricia Kinney – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Costume Design – Professional
Kathryn Ferguson/Derik Shopinski – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
The Ron Hamm Award for Outstanding Hair and Makeup Design
Derik Shopinski – The Addams Family – Theatre 29
Linda Shrader/Echo Westover – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Outstanding Lighting Design
Matthew Garrett – Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Matthew Garrett/Jarrod Radnich – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Joah Schmid – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Outstanding Props and Special Effects
Matthew Garrett – Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Sue Kelly – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design
Wendy Cohen – Tea at Five – Groves Cabin Theatre
David Knutson – Broadway Bound – The St. Joseph’s Players
Matthew Garrett/Jarrod Radnich – The Lion King Jr. – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
Joah Schmid – Driving Miss Daisy – Groves Cabin Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design – Professional
Howard Shangraw – Red – Hi-Desert Cultural Center
SPECIAL AWARDS:
Sidney Harmon Award: Charles Harvey
