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From: LCP <LCP@wgn.net>
Reply-To: LCP@wgn.net
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 02:41:39 -0800
To: sandy@aldrichpr.com
Subject: OVATIONS AWARDS report tear sheet
On Monday, November 15th, the LA Stage Alliance presented the annual Ovation Awards, awarding the best in live theater performing in the Los Angeles area. The ceremony took place at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A.
Hector Elizondo and Garry Marshall, who recently appeared and directed respectly in the Falcon Theatre's Wrong Turn At Lungfish, opened the ceremony with the first presentation of awards that would cover the major aspects of stage theater in thirty-two separate categories that included performances in straight plays, stage musicals, directing, costume and set design, sound design and lighting, ensemble performances, and world premier productions of a play and a musical.
The James A Doolittle Award for Leadership in the Theater was presented to Paula Holt for her involvement in theater with her founding of the Tiffany Theatre, a stage showcase that was located along the "Sunset Strip" from 1985 to 2002, as well as her work in keeping a performing medium in a 'movie town' alive and active. The LA Stage Alliance Board of Governors Award for Career Achievement was given to actress Betty Garrett. From her acting work on the New York stage, later moving to Los Angeles working as a contract player for MGM, she became involved in theater with her founding of Theatre West in the early 1960's, a theater space that she is still involved with to present day. The Community Outreach Award was presented to the Cornerstone Theatre Company with its many productions that strived to bring live theater in portions of the community that would otherwise have no access to theater through the company's Bridge Shows.
Other special awards: The Ray Stricklyn Memorial Award for a Solo Performance went to Gigi Bermingham for Non-Vital Organs (redux) that played at the Odyssey Theatre in west Los Angeles, and the Franklin R. Levy Memorial Awards for Musical in a Smaller Theatre went to the Celebration Theatre in West Hollywood for the production of Hedwig And The Angry Inch.
Some of the notable presenters of the various awards were (among others), Beau Bridges, Lee Meriwether, Linda Ourl, Orson Bean, David Gaines, Paul Dooley, Grandville Van Dusen, Julia Sweeney, JoAnne Worley, Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels.
From the 378 productions that were eligible for an Ovation Award, the 50+ that were nominated, and the remaining number that actually won, this proves that Los Angeles has great theater playing in a town that will be forever known for its 'moving pictures' and TV programs that feed the nation and the entire world! The awards presented was just for the 2003-04 cycle. Just wait for the 2004-05 year--It will even be better than ever!
For a complete listing of nominations and award winners, visit the Ovations Award web site via http://www.AldrichPR.com
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ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE
(Vol. 9-No. 45-Week of November 15th, 2004)