Arts Spotlight: 2015 Theater Year in Review
1. One Arm, New Epic Theater
2. The Crucible, Guthrie Theater
3. Equus, Theatre Coup D’etat
4. The Jungle Book, Children’s Theatre Company
5. Jericho, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company
6. Juno and the Paycock, Guthrie Theater
7. Prep, Pillsbury House Theatre
8. Hairspray, Artistry
9. Choir Boy, Guthrie Theater
10. (3-way tie)
MR. BURNS: a post-electric play, Guthrie Theater
Hir, Mixed Blood Theatre
Emily/Eurydice, Transatlantic Love Affair, Illusion Theater
Prep. Photo by Rich Ryan.
Theater Artists of the Year
Lauren Anderson, Actress-Collaborator for Mad Max: Beyond Measledome, 50 Shades of Gravy, Junk from our Trunk, The Trump Who Stole Christmas, Brave New Workshop
Craig Johnson, Director: Civil War Homecoming, Fitzgerald Theater; Boeing Boeing, Torch Theater; The Matchmaker, Girl Friday Productions. Actor: Death and the Maiden, Torch Theater & Gremlin Theatre; One Arm, New Epic Theater
Best Director: Joe Dowling, The Crucible and Juno and the Paycock, Guthrie Theater
Best Dramatic Actor: Charles Numrich, Equus, Theatre Coup D’etat
Best Musical Actor: (tie) Rich Hamson & Jim Pounds, La Cage Aux Folles, Artistry
Best Comedic Actor: Dustin Bronson, Hir, Mixed Blood Theatre
Best Supporting Dramatic Actress: Miriam Schwarz, Jericho, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company
Choir Boy. Photo by Heidi Bohnenkamp.
Crème de la Crème Performances
Lauren Davis, Oliver!, Hennepin Theatre Trust-Theater Latte Da
Danny Binstock and Stacey Bono, The Music Man, Guthrie Theater
Johanna Easley, Akeelah and the Bee, Children’s Theatre Company
Kory LaQuess Pullam, Prep, Pillsbury House Theatre
Kevin Fanshaw, Equus, Theater Coup D’etat
Regina Marie Williams, Sister Act, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
John-Michael Lyles, Choir Boy, Guthrie Theater
Adam Whisner, A Bright New Boise, Loudmouth Collective and The Woodsman, Theatre Pro Rata
Erik Heger, The Crucible, Guthrie Theater
Shanan Custer and Charles Hubbell, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Casting Spells Productions
Jessica Lind Peterson, Next to Normal, Yellow Tree Theatre
Sam Bardwell, Things of Dry Hours, Frank Theatre
Torsten Johnson, One Arm, New Epic Theater
Sara Marsh, Extremities, Dark & Stormy Productions
Summer Hagen, God Girl, History Theatre
Thomasina Petrus, The Gospel of Lovingkindness, Pillsbury House Theatre
Ryan M. Lindberg, Jericho, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company
Anna Sundberg, For the Loyal, Illusion Theater
Best Choreography: Michael Matthew Ferrell, Hairspray, Artistry
Best Musical Direction: Anita Ruth, Hairspray, Artistry
Best Costumes: Immanuel Elliott, Vile Affections, Gadfly Productions
Best Set Design: Joe Stanley, The Jungle Book, Children’s Theatre Company
Best Sound Design: Peter Vitale, Henry IV, Part I, 10,000 Things Theater Company
Best Lighting: Nancy Schertler, The Jungle Book, Children’s Theatre Company
Best Stage Combat Direction: Annie Enneking, Extremities, Dark & Stormy Productions; Henry IV, Part I, 10,000 Things Theater; The Jungle Book, Children’s Theatre Company
Best New Playwriting: Kristine Holmgren, God Girl, History Theatre
Superior Achievement in Theater Music and Lyrics: Chan Poling, Glensheen, History Theatre
Superior Team Achievement in Theatrical Design Innovation: Katrina Benedict, David Cook, Ken Grosch, Lisa V. Kudas & Matt Kudas, Lemonade for the Lawnboy: The Musical, Minnetonka Theatre
Hairspray. Photo by Vicki Madsen
Superior Achievement in Artistic Leadership:
Philip Bither, Senior Curator of Performing Arts, Walker Art Center
Julie Voigt, Senior Program Officer, Walker Art Center
Tom Hoch, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hennepin Theatre Trust
Best Show From Out of Town: Pippin, national tour at Orpheum Theatre
Best Performances from Out of Town: Kyle Taylor Parker, Kinky Boots, national tour at Orpheum Theatre; Aaron Davidman, Wrestling Jerusalem, Guthrie Theater
Best Supporting Performance from Out of Town: Priscilla Lopez, Pippin, national tour at Orpheum Theatre
