The Desert Theatre League announced the nominees for their annual Star Awards yesterday, recognizing excellence for community theaters in both the hi- and low-desert. The four participating high desert theaters garnered a combined 83 nominations. Categories include outstanding comedies, dramas and musicals, one-act productions and staged readings, plus youth theater shows, and cabaret categories as well as technical design nominations. In a two-part story, Rebecca Havely shares the nominees. Part one today includes Theatre 29 and The Groves Cabin Theatre. Part two tomorrow, Hi-Desert Cultural Center and Thought Theatre…
The Groves Cabin Theatre of Morongo Valley received 17 nods. The drama “Annapurna” for outstanding production, direction by Eddie Tucker, both lead actors Kurt Schaupner and Wendy Cohen, and the play’s light and sound design. Phylicia Mason’s direction of the drama “My Old Lady” was acknowledged, as was the production itself, and lead actors Abe Daniels, Alden West and supporting actress Wendy Cohen. The production of the one-act “Cornered” and its lead actor Jericho McWilliams are on the list, plus the production of the one-act “Two Cats, No Dogs,” its director Abe Daniels, and its lead actors Kevin Hayles and Rebecca Havely are nominated as well.
Theatre 29 of Twentynine Palms received 10 nominations with three directors nominated: Katy Fleischman for the comedy “The Odd Couple;” Gary Daigneault for the musical “The Wizard of Oz;” and Rebecca Havely for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Also three musical directors garnered nominations: Analisa Pilecki for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat;” Kathryn Ferguson for “First Date, The Musical;” and Bill Barret for “The Wizard of Oz.” A nod for outstanding choreographer went to Dani Jara for “The Wizard of Oz” as well. The actors nominated for their portrayals are Kathryn Ferguson for supporting actress in the drama “Mousetrap;” Ben Bees gets a nod for best supporting actor in a musical for his role as the Pharaoh in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat;” and Chris Fleischman received a nomination as the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” for outstanding lead actor in a musical.
Finally, a special recognition “Bill Pullman Award” will be presented to multi award-winning director/actor Abe Daniels. Congratulations to all the nominees in both the hi- and low-desert theater community.
The Desert Theatre League’s annual Star Awards dinner, honoring all the nominees and awarding trophies to the winners will be held in Palm Desert this October. For tickets to the awards event and for the full list of nominees, visit Desert Theatre League’s website: https://deserttheatreleague.org/2018-nominees
