Announcing: 2011 Ovation Award Winners

2011 LA STAGE ALLIANCE OVATION AWARDS PRESENTED
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011
AT THE HISTORIC ORPHEUM THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN LA

KUDOS FOR 2010-2011 SEASON
SHARED BY 20 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THEATRE COMPANIES

The LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2010-2011 season, were presented on Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Thirty-five awards were bestowed upon 20 different Southern California theatre companies. Leading the pack with five awards was The Troubadour Theater Company (A Withers Tale, Best Season), followed by Center Theatre Group with four (Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson Theatre, Venice at the Kirk Douglas Theatre), and Rogue Machine with three (Small Engine Repair).

Crooked Arrow Productions (Hello), Ebony Repertory Theatre (A Raisin in the Sun), Pasadena Playhouse (Twist), Reprise Theatre Company (Kiss Me, Kate) and Sacred Fools Theatre Company (Voice Lessons, Watson – The Last Great Tale of the Legendary Sherlock Holmes) took home two statuettes each.

LA STAGE Alliance CEO Terence McFarland commented, “Tonight’s recipients reflect the diverse and rich landscape of greater Los Angeles theatre. The Ovation Awards are a celebration of excellence and one way that LA STAGE Alliance shines a light on the fantastic work of our LA theatre artists. Theatres across the country should take note that these are the best of the best, stimulate the economy, and hire an Ovation Award-winning LA theatre artist today!”

For a complete list of winners, visit www.LASTAGEOvations.com.

Hosted by Carolyn Hennesy, presenters included Sally Struthers, Debbie Allen, Millicent Martin, Patrick Adams, Greg Watanabe, Francois Chau, Jason Alexander, Michele Lee, French Stewart, Malissa Feruzzi Shriver (Chair, California Arts Council), Craig Watson (Director, California Arts Council), Parvesh Cheena (Outsourced), Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad), Edi Gathegi (Superior Donuts), Vanessa Stewart (Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara), Alaman Diadhiou (Twist), Erika Sellin (Casting Director, Center Theatre Group), Larry Dean Harris (Dramatists Guild), Ann E. Wareham (Artistic Director, Laguna Playhouse), Dale Franzen (Director, Broad Stage), Steve Julian (KPCC Radio), Julio Martinez (KPFK Radio), Gail Eichenthal (KUSC Radio), Michael Donovan (independent casting director), Charles Berliner (United Scenic Artists), Laura
Zucker (Executive Director, LA County Arts Commission), Allan Miller (Director/Founder, Back Alley Theatre), Tom Moore (representing SDC and director of the original Broadway production of Grease), Lindsay Allbaugh (Producing Associate, Center Theatre Group), and Anthony Byrnes (KCRW Radio).

LA STAGE Alliance (LASA), a non-profit organization empowering artists and engaging audiences since 1975, is dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and support for the performing arts in Greater Los Angeles by strengthening the sector through community building, collaborative marketing, audience engagement, professional development, and advocacy. LASA serves over 900 arts organizations annually, including over 450 dues-paying member professional, educational, and community based producing and presenting performing
arts organizations in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. LASA’s constituents operate in intimate sized venues (99 seats or less), mid-sized venues (100-499 seats), and in large venues (500+ seats), and include independent producers, educational groups, and social service organizations that have a performing arts component. Additionally, LASA directly serves over 50,000 diverse local, regional, national, and international performing arts patrons and, indirectly, three million unique patron households by conducting research on their behavior and buying habits. Providing access to the performing arts for patrons and access to resources for organizations has been our focus for 35 years.

LA STAGE Alliance programs are sponsored, in part, by Actors Equity Association, The Angell Foundation, Arts Council for Long Beach, California Arts Council, California Community Foundation, City of Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA), City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division, City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Goldstar, the James Irvine Foundation,   Los Angeles County Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission, Los Angeles Times, MusiCares/Grammy Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, SDC, The Shubert Foundation, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

This year’s Ovation Awards were sponsored by Actors Equity Association, Wells Fargo, Goldstar Events, Green Hasson Janks, Go 2 Talent Agency, International Creative Management (ICM), La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and Pacific Coast Entertainment.

The Ovation Awards are tabulated by Green Hasson Janks.

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11-14-11

“Love Sick” Re-Opens at Elephant Stages/Theatre Asylum on Friday 11/18

ELEPHANT THEATRE COMPANY’S SMASH HIT PRODUCTION
LOVE SICK BY KRISTINA POE
RE-OPENS AT ELEPHANT STAGES/THEATRE ASYLUM
12 PERFORMANCES ONLY, NOVEMBER 18 – DECEMBER 17

Due to ongoing popular demand, the Elephant Theatre Company’s smash hit world premiere production of Love Sick by Kristina Poe, directed by David Fofi, will re-open at Elephant Stages/Theatre Asylum for 12 performances only, beginning Friday, November 18 at 8pm. Theatre Asylum is next door to the Elephant Space, where the show completed its original run on November 5.

Love Sick is a graphic tale which follows one woman’s dark and comic quest for revenge. When Emily’s happily ever after comes crashing down, she embarks on a journey of seduction, power, coercion and self-discovery which quickly descends into a riddled web of mysterious and alluring encounters. Playwright Kristina Poe wrote Love Sick, her first play, as a member of LAByrinth Theater Company in New York City.

The cast of Love Sick (in alphabetical order) is Robert John Brewer, Etienne Eckert, Michael Friedman, Christopher Game, Laura Harman, Alexandra Hoover, Kate Huffman, Melanie Jones, Nikki McCauley, Tara Norris, Charles Pacello, Dominic Rains, Kenny Suarez, Caryl West, and Salvator Xuereb. The set design is by Elephant Stageworks, lighting design is by Matt Richter, costume design is by Louis Douglas Jacobs, and sound design is by Joseph Slawinski. The stage manager is Rebecca Schoenberg, and Love Sick is produced for the Elephant by Lindsay Allbaugh, Cheryl Huggins, and Tara Norris.

The additional performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays, December 1 and 15 at 8pm; Fridays, November 18, December 2, 9, and 16 at 8pm; Saturdays, November 19 and 26, December 3, 10, and 17 (final performance) at 8pm; and Sunday, November 27 at 7pm. Tickets may be purchased by calling (877) 369-9112 or by reserving online at www.elephanttheatrecompany.com.

For more information, go to www.elephanttheatrecompany.com. Visit the Elephant on Facebook, and follow us on twitter @elephanttheatre. Elephant Stages/Theatre Asylum is located at 6320 Santa Monica Boulevard (one block west of Vine), in Hollywood, 90038. Street parking is available.

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11-9-11

Announcing: Carolyn Hennesy Will Now Host; Presenters Named for Ovation Awards Ceremony on Monday 11/14

2011 LA STAGE ALLIANCE OVATION AWARDS CEREMONY
SET FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
AT THE ORPHEUM THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN LA
NOW TO BE HOSTED BY CAROLYN HENNESY

SCHEDULED PRESENTERS INCLUDE
SALLY STRUTHERS, DEBBIE ALLEN, MILLICENT MARTIN,
PATRICK ADAMS, GREG WATANABE, FRANCOIS CHAU,
JASON ALEXANDER, LAURIE METCALF,
MICHELE LEE (REPRESENTING ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION)

Now to be hosted by Carolyn Hennesy, the LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards Ceremony for the 2011 theatre season will take place Monday, November 14, at 7:30pm at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Due to unexpected scheduling conflicts, French Stewart has regretfully withdrawn as host.

Said Hennesy, “I am beyond thrilled to be hosting this year’s Ovations … the preeminent Los Angeles theatre awards! Everyone who’s anyone will be there. And thank you, LA STAGE Alliance, for this golden opportunity to lose five pounds.” LA STAGE Alliance CEO Terence McFarland added, “We’re thrilled Carolyn is available to step into the role of host for this year’s Ovation Awards ceremony as we celebrate excellence in our theatrical community in all its various shapes and sizes.”

Presenters scheduled to participate (along with those listed above), include Malissa Shriver (Chair, California Arts Council), Craig Watson (Director, California Arts Council), Parvesh Cheena (Outsourced), Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad), Edi Gathegi (Superior Donuts), Vanessa Stewart (Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara), Alaman Diadhiou (Twist), Erika Sellin (Casting Director, Center Theatre Group), Larry Dean Harris (Dramatists Guild), Ann E. Wareham (Artistic Director, Laguna Playhouse), Dale Franzen (Director, Broad Stage), Steve Julian (KPCC Radio), Julio Martinez (KPFK Radio), Gail Eichenthal (KUSC Radio), Michael Donovan (independent casting director), Charles Berliner (United Scenic Artists), Laura Zucker (Executive Director, LA County Arts Commission), Allan Miller (Director/Founder, Back Alley Theatre), Tom Moore (representing SDC and director of the original Broadway production of Grease), Lindsay Allbaugh (Producing Associate, Center Theatre Group), and Anthony Byrnes (KCRW Radio).

Awards will be given in 35 competitive categories, and the recipients of the 2011 Sherwood Award and four 2011 Ovation Honors will be acknowledged. The Ovation Awards are tabulated by Green Hasson Janks.

This year’s Ovation Awards are sponsored by Actors Equity Association, Wells Fargo, Goldstar Events, Green Hasson Janks, Go 2 Talent Agency, International Creative Management (ICM), La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and Pacific Coast Entertainment.

LA STAGE Alliance (LASA), a non-profit organization empowering artists and engaging audiences since 1975, is dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and support for the performing arts in Greater Los Angeles by strengthening the sector through community building, collaborative marketing, audience engagement, professional development, and advocacy. LASA serves over 900 arts organizations annually, including over 450 dues-paying member professional, educational, and community based producing and presenting performing arts organizations in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. LASA’s constituents operate in intimate sized venues (99 seats or less), mid-sized venues (100-499 seats), and in large venues (500+ seats), and include independent producers, educational groups, and social service organizations that have a performing arts component. Additionally, LASA directly serves over 50,000 diverse local, regional, national, and international performing arts patrons and, indirectly, three million unique patron households by conducting research on their behavior and buying habits. Providing access to the performing arts for patrons and access to resources for organizations has been our focus for 35 years.

LA STAGE Alliance programs are sponsored, in part, by Actors Equity, The Angell Foundation, Arts Council for Long Beach, California Arts Council, California Community Foundation, City of Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA), City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Pasadena, City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division, City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Goldstar, the James Irvine Foundation, Los Angeles County Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission, Los Angeles Times, MusiCares/Grammy Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, SDC, The Shubert Foundation, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The 2011 Ovation Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Orpheum Theatre, 842 South Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the curtain goes up at 7:30pm. For information, visit www.LASTAGEOvations.com.

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11-3-11