The Desert Theatre League, who for the past 37 years has been recognizing local theatrical excellence with their Desert Star Awards, has announced their 2023 nominees.
In a field of over 87 productions performed during the 2022-23 theatre season in member organizations ranging from Indio to Twentynine Palms, Theatre 29 was recognized with 17 nominations for their productions, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with 7 nominations, PUFFS with 4, their Summer Youth production of DISNEY’S MOANA JR with 4 and PETER & THE STARCATCHER with 2.
Their nominees include:
Outstanding Production-Musical-Youth Theatre: Disney’s Moana Jr.
Outstanding Musical Director-Youth Theatre: Bianca Stoker – Disney’s Moana Jr.
Outstanding Lead Actress-Musical-Youth Theatre: Eva Tili – Disney’s Moana Jr.
Outstanding Supporting Actress-Musical-Youth Theatre: Larissa Rodney – Disney’s Moana Jr.
Outstanding Production-Comedy: Puffs, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Outstanding Director of a Comedy
- Ian Ferris – Peter and the Starcatcher
- Charles Harvey – Puffs
- Charlie E Parker – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy
- Andrew Catlin – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Andrew Perkins – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy
- Carly Bateman – Puffs
- Imelda Patu – Puffs
- Eliana Hicks – Peter and the Starcatcher
- Charlie E Parker – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Heather Clisby – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Outstanding Set Design
Kevin Maddrey – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Morongo Valley’s legendary Grove’s Cabin Theatre, ended their 40 year history with an impressive 10 nominations with their finale productions of DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH with 6 and MARRIAGE PLAY with 4
Their nominee list include:
Outstanding Production-One Acts
- Death of Bessie Smith
- Marriage Play
- Abe Daniels – Death of Bessie Smith
- Abe Daniels – Marriage Play
Outstanding Lead Performer – One Acts
- Graham Bennett – Death of Bessie Smith
- Grey LeFey – Marriage Play
- Shannon Mary Dixon – Death of Bessie Smith
- Kevin Hayles – Death of Bessie Smith
- Kurt Schauppner – Marriage Play
Outstanding Supporting Performer – One Acts
- Malcolm Stanley-Wolfe – Death of Bessie Smith
Joshua Tree based Thought Theatre garnered seven for their productions of TRUE WEST with 6 and THE THANKSGIVING PLAY with 1 .
Their nominees include:
- Outstanding Production of a Drama – Professional
- True West
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
- Kevin Hayles – True West
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama – Professional
- John Ferrare – True West
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama – Professional
- Dan Graff – True West
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Staged Reading – Professional
- Ann Van Haney – The Thanksgiving Play
- Outstanding Set Design
- Miri Hunter – True West
- Outstanding Sound Design
- Frances Wright – True West
Award winners will be announced at the Desert Stars Awards Dinner October 1th.
