The 17th Annual Craig Noel Awards, bestowed by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, were presented February 11 at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation. Among the big winners were The Old Globe’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and Lamb’s Players Theatre’s production of Once, with four each.
The Circle is comprised of nine professional critics who write for San Diego publications. This year’s awards ceremony was organized by event co-chairs Julie Sarno, Dea Hurton and Denise Bevers. Financial support was provided by donors: Lon and Denise Bevers; the Dr. Seuss Foundation; Larry Alldredge & Dawn Moore; Dea and Osborn Hurston; Stanley Cohen; Jay and Julie Sarno; Harvey and Sheryl White; Yolanda Braunagel; Bill & Judy Garrett; Wes Anson; Wendy Nash; Jerry Buckley; US Bank; Ralph Johnson; Arthur and Marilyn Neumann; Darlene Davies; Trina & Ted Kaplan; Bill Purves; Mike Napoli & Performing Arts Live; and the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation.
For information, visit sdcriticscircle.org. See the full list of winners below.
Outstanding Dramatic Production (tie)
A Doll's House, Part 2 - San Diego Repertory Theatre
A Thousand Splendid Suns - The Old Globe
Outstanding New Play / Performing Arts Live Prize
The Wanderers by Anna Ziegler - The Old Globe
Outstanding Resident Musical
Once - Lamb's Players Theatre
Director of the Year
David Ellenstein – Body of Work 2018
Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Small Theater
The Roustabouts Theatre Co.
Actors of the Year – Male and Female
· Kevin Hafso Koppman
· Nadia Guevara
Outstanding Young Artist/Sandra Ellis-Troy Scholarship
Noah Baird – Disney’s Newsies, Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Special Event
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 – Co-produced by San Diego Opera, Bodhi Tree Concerts and SACRA/PROFANA
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Carey Perloff - A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Old Globe
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Sam Woodhouse - Fun Home, San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction
G. Scott Lacy - Once, Lamb's Players Theatre
Outstanding Scenic Design
Ken MacDonald - A Thousand Splendid Sons, The Old Globe
Outstanding Sound Design (tie)
Melanie Chen Cole - Men on Boats, New Village Arts
Will Pickens - Uncle Vanya, The Old Globe
Outstanding Costume Design
Fabio Toblini - The Importance of Being Earnest, The Old Globe
Outstanding Lighting Design
Robert Wierzel - A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Old Globe
Outstanding Ensemble
Once, Lamb's Players Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male
James Sutorius - The Father, North Coast Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Female
Sofia Jean Gomez - A Doll's House, Part 2, San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Female
Joy Yvonne Jones - Voyeurs de Venus, Moxie Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Male
Wrekless Watson - Cardboard Piano, Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female
Caitie Grady - Once, Lamb's Players Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Male
Zackary Scot Wolfe - Avenue Q, New Village Arts
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
Eboni Muse - Hairspray, San Diego Musical Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male
Bryan Banville - Monty Python's Spamalot, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Choreography
Jill Gorrie - Hairspray, San Diego Musical Theatre
