The Pasadena Playhouse To Host This Year’s Drama Critics Circle Awards

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has begun the celebration of its 50th anniversary by announcing its nominations for the year 2018 (Dec. 1, 2017 – Nov. 30, 2018). The Awards will take place on Monday, April 8, 2019, at the historic Pasadena Playhouse, in Pasadena’s Playhouse District.

Although the Pasadena Playhouse will be hosting the LADCC Awards for the very first time, returning once again is onstage host Wenzel Jones of IMRU, the LGBTQI Radio News Magazine on KPFK 90.7, as well as local composer-conductor Christopher Raymond as musical director for his second consecutive year. The entire production will be in the hands of stage manager Heatherlynn Gonzalez, veteran of more than a decade’s worth of LADCC service.

One or more plaques will be presented in each of 18 categories and seven special awards will also be presented. Topping the nominations, the Antaeus Theatre Company has a total of 12 in various categories, including for the McCulloh Award for Revival (plays written between 1920 and 1993) for their productions of both “The Hothouse” and “The Little Foxes.”A Noise Within has 10 nominations, including for Production for “A Picture of Dorian Gray.” The Center Theatre Group has a total of nine nominations, including for Production of “Come From Away.” Both the South Coast Repertory and East WestPlayers have seven nominations each. And the Celebration Theatre and the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, each with seven and six nominations, respectively, are uniquely both up for the McCulloh Award for Revival for their individual productions of “Cabaret.”

Sergio Trujillo, is nominated for Choreography for both “Ain’t Too Proud,” Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre and “On Your Feet,” Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Allison Dillard, is nominated for her work in Costume Design for both “Bliss, Or Emily Post Is Dead,” Moving Arts and “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” Celebration Theatre. Set Designer John Iacovelli, a winner of multiple LADCC awards for Scene Design, is nominated for “The Little Foxes”, Antaeus Theatre Company.

The LADCC special award recipients are as follows:

• The Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in theatre will be awarded to Sacred Fools Theater Company.

• The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season in a small to mid-size theatre will be awarded to Echo Theater Company.

• The Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play goes to Lauren Yee for Cambodian Rock Band, originally produced by South Coast Repertory.

• The Kinetic Lighting Award for distinguished achievement in theatrical design goes to sound designer Robert Oriol.

• The Joel Hirschhorn Award for distinguished achievement in musical theatre goes to McCoy Rigby Entertainment.

• The Milton Katselas Award for distinguished achievement in direction goes to Cameron Watson.

• The Gordon Davidson Award for distinguished contribution to the Los Angeles theatrical community will be presented to Native Voices at the Autry.

More of the complete list of nominees for the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for theatrical excellence in 2018 is here.