Helen Hayes Awards Nominations Announced
It was a good year for the musical. Especially the Signature musical.
The 2009 Helen Hayes Awards nominations are out (D.C.'s local version of the Tony Awards), and leading the pack is Signature Theatre with a whopping 39 nominations in various categories.
It's not a surprise, really. The Arlington-based company is on a fabulous streak, finishing off a year that included a critically-acclaimed Kander & Ebb festival (including the haunting Chita Rivera vehicle The Visit, adventurous (if flawed) work such as the new musical Ace, and the triumphant regional production of Les Miserables.
Also well-recognized were two very different takes on Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare Theatre's all-male version and a silent production from perennial Helen Hayes (and DCist) favorite Synetic Theater.
The Teller take on Macbeth at Folger was well-represented, as was Arena's adventurous new work Next To Normal, MetroStage's invigorating Rooms: A Rock Romance and a variety of Shakespeare Theatre and Woolly Mammoth productions.
A big shoutout goes to Constellation Theatre, which will take home the special award for emerging new company; the group recently impressed us with its nimble farce, The Marriage of Figaro.
The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble tends to be our favorite category, as it's the best chance for smaller companies to get a nod. This year, both musicals and plays are recognized by separate categories. But 18 nominations total? Really? We're all for inclusiveness, but this takes it to a new level. That said, it's great to see companies like Forum Theatre and African Continuum get a chance to shine.
The complete nominations are available online. The Helen Hayes Awards, now in its 25th anniversary, will take place April 13.