Area Theatres represent with 2023 Desert Theatre League Desert Star Award nominations

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.