I’m told there is some sort of theater awards event coming up in a couple of days—the Teenys? The Tinys? Something like that. But surely, what the world really is waiting for is the announcement of ProfMiller's Kudos Awards for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement for 2013-2014.
Well, the wait is over,
gentle reader. In the words of Stephen Schwartz: “There is magic to do!” So let’s begin.
For the record, the Kudos Awards encompass Broadway, Off Broadway, and
Off-Off Broadway productions and do not take into consideration length of run,
size or location of theater, or any life-after-New York touring
potential. What they do take into consideration are the personal biases
and judgments of one theatergoer, underpinned by more than a half century of
experience as a member of the audience. Do take it in that light.
And so, without further
ado, the envelopes, please.
Special
Award for Most Improved Theater Company
The first Kudos Award goes
to the Roundabout Theatre Company for its consistently strong productions this
past season, starting with a top-notch staging of THE WINSLOW BOY, followed by
an even better MACHINAL and a splendid VIOLET at the American Airlines Theatre,
plus CABARET at Studio 54, and BAD JEWS, DINNER WITH FRIENDS, and JUST JIM DALE
at the Laura Pels. Roundabout has overcome a variable reputation for the
quality of its productions. This year’s
feast demonstrates a sea change that deserves to be acknowledged and
supported. Kudos AND Bravo to
Roundabout!
Special
Award for Performing Shakespeare
It’s
been a very busy year for the Bard, well represented as he was by multiple
productions of KING LEAR, Julie Taymor’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, a
Halloween-inspired MACBETH at the Vivian Beaumont, the current muck-infused
staging of the same at the Park Avenue Armory, and the pairing of an oddball RICHARD
III with the memorable TWELFTH NIGHT on Broadway. But the Kudos Award bypasses
all of these and goes, instead, to the WorkShop Theater Company for its loving
and gimmick-free production of THE WINTER’S TALE, reminding us that
Shakespeare’s beautiful language triumphs over big production values.
Special
Award for Ensemble Acting
The
Kudos Award for Best Ensemble Acting goes to the company of THE
CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN. Much focus has been on Daniel Radcliffe, whose presence
is certainly an important draw for American audiences, but the entire cast
shines and coalesces beautifully, collectively capturing and delivering every
bit of off-kilter humor from Martin
McDonagh's play.
Individual
Acting Awards – Plays
For Best Actress in a Play, the
winner has to be Audra McDonald in LADY
DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL. What can
I say? Her performance is gaspably
perfect.
For Best Featured
Actress in a Play, we have a tie: Celia Keenan-Bolger (THE GLASS MENAGERIE) and Kathryn Hunter (A
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM). Celia Keenan-Bolger gave an exquisite performance as
Laura, glowingly alive in her extended scene with Brian J. Smith as the gentleman
caller, and then melting back into herself by play’s end. Kathryn Hunter was
outstanding as Puck in Julie Taymor’s dream-like production of Shakespeare’s fantastical comedy at the Theatre for a New Audience.
For Best Featured
Actor in a Play, the winner of the Kudos Award is John Glover as one of the witches in Jack O’Brien’s production
of MACBETH. Mr. Glover brought a real spark of otherworldly magic into every
scene in which he appeared.
For Best Lead Actor in a Play, the
winner is Jeff Goldblum for his performance
as the clueless, foot-in-his-mouth, idiotic stand-in for the likes of Eliot
Spitzer, Anthony Weiner, and the pre-rehabilitated Bill Clinton in Bruce
Norris’s DOMESTICATED.
Individual
Acting Awards – Musicals
For Best Featured Actress in a Musical,
the Kudos Award goes to Linda Emond
(CABARET). In a production in which pretty much everyone is called upon to play
a “type,” she turns Fräulein Schneider into a memorable character, one
with a very good singing voice to boot.
For Best Lead Actress in a Musical,
we have a tie: Sutton Foster (VIOLET) and Jessie
Mueller (BEAUTIFUL). Interestingly enough, they bring a similar country/rockabilly
quality to their singing—better suited to Sutton Foster’s character, as it
happens—but both are at the top of their game in their respective roles.
For Best Featured Actor in a Musical,
the winner is Joshua Henry (VIOLET). He brings grace and style to
the role of Flick, and his rendition of “Let It Sing” is truly a
showstopper.
For Best Lead Actor in a Musical, the
Kudos Award goes to Neil Patrick Harris,
who proves the charismatic equal to Hugh Jackman as the star of HEDWIG AND THE
ANGRY INCH.
Revivals
For Best Revival of a Play, the Kudos Award goes to Machinal, a wonderful expressionist
work which saw an outstanding production.
The
Kudos Award for Best Revival
of a Musical goes to the terrific Hedwig and the
Angry Inch.
Directing
Awards
Winning the Kudos Award
for Best Director of a Play is Tim Carroll (TWELFTH NIGHT). Every aspect of the production showed
intelligent and original planning and led to a crowd-pleasing experience.
For Best Director of a Musical, the
Kudos Award goes to Michael Mayer (HEDWIG
AND THE ANGRY INCH). As with TWELFTH
NIGHT, this is a production that shows exceptional planning—from the brilliant
concept behind the stage design to the lighting to the sound to the outstanding
performances.
Writing
Awards
For Best Writing of a Play,
the Kudos Award goes to Randy Neale
for THE FOOL’S LEAR, a funny and poignant comic drama that views the story of
King Lear through the eyes of his fool.
For Best Writing of a Musical, the
Kudos Award goes to Robert L. Freedman,
responsible for the very witty book and lyrics to THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE
AND MURDER.
Best Overall Production of a New Play
The Kudos Award for the Best Overall Production of a New Play goes to The City of Conversation. This is one that ProfMiller hopes will move to Broadway from its current home at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center. If it does, be looking for it as a strong contender for 2015 Tony nods (best play, best leading actress for Jan Maxwell).
Best Overall Production of a New Musical
The Kudos
Award for the Best Overall Production of a New Musical goes to the beautiful Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.
And that, folks, is a
wrap. No speeches or bizarre poetry readings. Cue the music and call it a
night! Now, if you like, feel free to watch that other awards event on
Sunday night.
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