Special Awards in Theater 2013

Top Ten lists are a lot of work to compile, but worth the time. What I realized this year is that there are "bests" that simply don't fit into a list. So here are some kudos that I feel the need to give out in random categories....in no particular order.

Best film noir homage award goes to Adrift in Macao at TheatreWorks New Milford - I loved those black trench coats.

Best example of giving back - SYST Footlights Little Mermaid for their impromptu performance during a fire drill

Best use of recycled materials - WAMS Into the Woods for their Dunkin Donuts tray covered Rapunzel's tower

Best dancing - White Christmas at Westchester Broadway Theater for the win!

Best flying - Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan at the Palace

Funniest Four Guys - the four guys in Forever Plaid at the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre

Best quick change (onstage) - Dreamgirls at the Palace Theater

Slyest improvisation - Sister in Sister's Christmas Catechism at Long Wharf Theatre

"This is how you're getting to Heaven" Award to Daniel R. Willey, the only guy in Nuncrackers at the Phoenix Stage Company.

Best Double Play (as in appearing in two different shows) - R. Bruce Connelly in Say Goodnight, Gracie and The Price  at Seven Angels

Classiest set - Rumors by Landmark Community Theatre at the Thomaston Opera House designed by Mark Rees

Best Devil - Walter Cramer in Damn Yankees at the Nancy Marine

Best Wigs - 9 to 5 at Musicals at Richter

Best chemistry between the leads - Sydney Taylor Turner and Jeremy Sevelovitz in Miracle on 34th Street at Seven Angels. Runner up: They're Playing Our Song at TriArts Sharon Playhouse

Best puppetry - Disney's Finding Nemo: The Musical

Best Original Score - E. Karl Gallmeyer for ...Just Around the Bend

Best Thanksgiving Day Parade in a theater - Seven Angels Miracle on 34th Street

Best dancing on their knees - The ensemble elves in Elf at the Palace Theater

Best preshow/intermission entertainment - Brian (Preston Bogan) and Michelle (Kaylin Spaulding) in Alice Through the Internet at Naugatuck High School

Heaviest program - Amity's Sweeney Todd (all 92 8 1/2 by 11" pages of it!)

Best concessions hallway - Amity High School's Sweeney Todd

Best use of available space - Grease at Post University

Best Witch (in Into the Woods) -  WAMS' Emily Pierce 

Best tree - WAM'S' Waiting for Godot

Most effective use of youth ensemble - Oliver! at Westchester Broadway Theatre

Best costumes - White Christmas (again) Runner up: Hello, Dolly at Goodspeed Musicals

No Business Like Show Business Award to Naugatuck Teen Theatre's Annie Get Your Gun

Best Performance at a Master Class - Damon Branco with Linda Eder at the Warner Theatre

Best High School scenery - Newtown High School's How to Succeed in Business