The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theater for 2011. Jason Graae and Lesli Margherita co-hosted the 43rd Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony on Monday, March 19 at A Noise Within in Pasadena.The Odyssey Theatre's "Margo Veil" and Ebony Repertory Theatre's production of "A Raisin in the Sun" led the winners with four awards each. Rogue Machine's "Small Engine Repair," winner of three Back Stage Garland Awards earlier this year, also took home three awards from the Ladcc.The 2011 voting members of the Ladcc included F. Kathleen Foley (L.A. Times), Shirle Gottlieb (Gazette Newspapers, StageHappenings.com), Hoyt Hilsman (Back Stage, The Huffington Post), Mayank Keshaviah (L.A. Weekly), Amy Lyons (Back Stage, L.A. Weekly), Dany Margolies (Back Stage), Terry Morgan (Variety), Steven Leigh Morris (L.A. Weekly), David C. Nichols (L.
- 3/20/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Lehman)
- backstage.com
In 1998, Back Stage for the first time honored Southern California’s best theater actors, directors, writers, and designers. Fourteen years later, the Los Angeles–area theater scene is the nation’s most prolific—and Back Stage continues its tradition of singling out the best of the best. Among the 15th annual Garland Award winners are artists who are well-known to theatergoers across the country and others who have just begun to make their mark on Southland stages. Back Stage is proud to present the full list of Garland recipients here and to introduce our readers to one winner who epitomizes everything that’s great about the world of 99-Seat theater in L.A.: actor-playwright John Pollono, whose play “Small Engine Repair” has earned three Garlands.This year’s recipients were chosen by our devoted L.A. theater critics—Jeff Favre, Hoyt Hilsman, Travis Michael Holder, Amy Lyons, Eric Marchese,...
- 3/1/2012
- by help@backstage.com ()
- backstage.com
Actor Len Lesser who appeared in over 150 film and television productions and who was known primarily for his role as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld has passed away from cancer related pneumonia at the age of 88, according to the BBC.
Lesser made fifteen appearances on Seinfeld which was comfortably the most popular American sitcom of the nineties. His Uncle Leo character was a loveable rogue who thought nothing to stealing from bookstores, making dodgy deals and had a recurring shtick where he was always bragging to Jerry about his cousin Jeffrey who worked in the parks department. Lesser brilliantly brought to life an old man who refused to act his age and was one of the most hilarious of the numerous recurring minor characters that featured on the show.
One particularly brilliant moment involving Uncle Leo was a dream sequence that parodied Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime remake Cape Fear which Jerry Seinfeld...
Lesser made fifteen appearances on Seinfeld which was comfortably the most popular American sitcom of the nineties. His Uncle Leo character was a loveable rogue who thought nothing to stealing from bookstores, making dodgy deals and had a recurring shtick where he was always bragging to Jerry about his cousin Jeffrey who worked in the parks department. Lesser brilliantly brought to life an old man who refused to act his age and was one of the most hilarious of the numerous recurring minor characters that featured on the show.
One particularly brilliant moment involving Uncle Leo was a dream sequence that parodied Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime remake Cape Fear which Jerry Seinfeld...
- 2/17/2011
- by Laurent Kelly
- Obsessed with Film
Shakespeare's "King Lear," featuring alternating star turns by Dakin Matthews and Harry Groener; Rogue Machine's searing family drama "Four Places"; and Fountain Theatre's powerful "The Ballad of Emmett Till" are among the most-honored productions in the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle's 42nd annual awards nominations, announced today. The annual citations salute excellence in L.A.-area theater productions during 2010. Winners will be announced during a ceremony at Burbank's Colony Theatre on March 14. Joining the aforementioned shows in contention for the coveted production award are the Fountain's "Opus," the Actors' Co-op's "Wit," and two world premiere offerings: Del Shores' "Yellow" (Coast Playhouse) and Tom Jacobson's "The Twentieth-Century Way" (Theatre @ Boston Court). Shores' "Yellow" has also been named as the recipient of the Ted Schmitt Award for outstanding world premiere script, accompanied by a $1,000 award from Samuel French, which also extends an offer to publish it.Among other special recipients...
- 1/25/2011
- backstage.com
Park, No RecreationThe logistics of working at smaller theatersActors who perform in L.A.-area theaters under the Actors' Equity Association 99-Seat Plan aren't going to get rich doing so. Yet, as they practice their craft, it's a happy occasion when there are certain comforts or amenities available along the way.But finding safe and convenient parking can be a challenge, particularly in areas like the North Hollywood theater district, where boulevard meters require payment up until 8 p.m. and side-street parking is scarce. Meters requiring money at night are now prevalent in other areas too, including many Hollywood neighborhoods. Some companies, such as Hollywood's Actors Co-op, the Sierra Madre Playhouse, and Pasadena's Theatre @ Boston Court provide free parking for audiences, actors, and other theater workers at or near the building. Macha Theatre in West Hollywood has limited free parking. Other situations vary widely. Yet, where there's a will, there's always a way.
- 11/24/2010
- backstage.com
The 41st annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, honoring distinguished achievements in theatre during 2009 in L.A. and vicinity, were handed out in a warm and entertaining ceremony at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, Calif., March 22, co-hosted by two very funny men: critic Wenzel Jones and actor-singer Jason Graae.Actors and other theater artists from many local companies—large and small—took home the coveted plaques. Rogue Artists Ensemble's offbeat "Gogol Project"—encompassing three works by Nikolai Gogol, using puppetry, masks, music, and digital projection—led the field with four awards. Earning three awards apiece were Roger Bean's hit jukebox musical "Life Could Be a Dream," the Matrix Theatre's premiere drama "Stick Fly," Pacific Resident Theatre's revival of "The Browning Version," and the Ahmanson Theatre's Broadway-bound musical "Minsky's."The Production award was shared by "Life Could Be a Dream," "Stick Fly," and the Mark Taper Forum/Donmar Warehouse staging...
- 3/23/2010
- backstage.com
Dearest Friends,We are thrilled to announce the 2010 Garland Awards, voted on by the Los Angeles theater critics of Back Stage. Who knew we had theater in Southern California, let alone a group of devoted theater critics? Our equally devoted readers of Back Stage, of course. Thank you for turning to the reviews pages in print and reading other of our reviews online. We know you're out there, treasuring the vibrant theater scene as much as we do.The critics who voted are Jeff Favre, Hoyt Hilsman, Travis Holder, Iris Mann, Eric Marchese, Dany Margolies, Dink O'Neal, Brad Schreiber, Melinda Schupmann, Madeleine Shaner, Les Spindle, Neal Weaver, and Jennie Webb. Under our voting system, each Garland winner was named on at least three critics' Best of 2009 lists. Each critic listed up to five nominees for each category except performance, up to 10 nominees for performance in musical productions and 10 for straight plays.
- 3/10/2010
- backstage.com
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, which consists of L.A.-area theater journalists in various media, has announced nominees and special awards for its 41st annual awards ceremony, to be held March 22 at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.Awards will be given in 20 categories, honoring excellence in theater over the past year. Eight special awards will include a special citation to actor Kirk Douglas for his lifetime contribution to Los Angeles theatre, as well as the new Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction, sponsored by Camelot Artists.The 2009 Special Awards include:– The Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play: Julie Marie Myatt for the bittersweet domestic drama "The Happy Ones," which premiered at South Coast Repertory. The award is accompanied by an offer to publish and a $1,000 check funded by Samuel French, Inc.– The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season...
- 1/25/2010
- backstage.com
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