The Desert Theatre League, an organization of 30 amateur and professional theater organizations in the hi- and low-desert areas, held its annual “Desert Stars Awards” Sunday night at a sold-out event in Palm Desert. Morongo Basin theaters were well represented, bringing home some of the top awards from hundreds of nominations. Among the highlights of the evening, Theatre 29 Board member, director, actor, and multi-media volunteer Charles Harvey was given the Sydney Harmon award, a special award given in recognition for efforts in the advancement of theatrical excellence, both on and off the stage.
Joshua Tree’s Hi-Desert Cultural Center made its mark on the evening with Outstanding Production-Staged Reading for its production of “La Comedia”. Analisa Pilecki won two artistic nods, as Outstanding Supporting Actress-Staged Reading, in “Motherhood Out Loud,” and Outstanding Supporting Actress-Musical in “The Spitfire Grill.” Howard Shangraw took home the Desert Star as Outstanding Director-Musical, Professional, for his work on “The Spitfire Grill.” Charles Evered won for Outstanding Original Writing for his “An Actor’s Carol.” The Youth Theatre Production “The Lion King Jr.” won three nods, Outstanding Youth Theatre-Musical, Linda Shrader and Echo Westover for Outstanding Hair and Make-up Design, and Amy Angel and Patricia Kinney, for Outstanding Costume Design. Matthew Garrett for Outstanding Sound Design for “An Actor’s Carol”, Meg Wolf for Outstanding Lead Female Performer-Staged Reading, Professional, in “Other Desert Cities,” and Barry Cutler for Outstanding Lead Male Performer-Staged Reading, Professional, for his performance in “Shylock.”
Twentynine Palms’ Theatre 29 showed well with Charles Harvey winning for Outstanding Lead Actor-Musical, for “The Addams Family;” Robin Wilson taking the trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actress-Musical in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid;” and Kathryn Ferguson for Outstanding Musical Director of “The Addams Family.”
Morongo Valley’s Groves Cabin Theater swept the field for their production of “Driving Miss Daisy,” with Rebecca Havely winning Outstanding Director-Drama, Joy Groves, Outstanding Lead Actress-Drama, and Horace Miller as Outstanding Lead Actor-Drama. Karl Weimer got the nod for Outstanding Set Design for “The Sea Horse.”
