Boston, MA, February 26, 2018 – The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) today announced the nominees for the 22nd Annual IRNE Awards, which honor the best of the previous year’s actors, directors, choreographers, designers and companies across the full spectrum of large, mid-size and fringe theater companies. The Huntington Theatre led all companies with 35 nominations spread across six plays and one musical, Merrily We Roll Along, which received a dozen nominations. Ragtime, which was presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, also earned a dozen nominations among the Ogunquit total of 18.
The winners will be announced on Monday, April 23th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Holiday Inn Brookline/Boston, just outside Kenmore Square. As always, admission will be free, courtesy of the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE).
“With so many outstanding productions last year, it was a difficult process to pare down the list of deserving nominees,” said IRNE co-founder Beverly Creasey, of the Boston Arts Review. “And unlike recent years, there doesn’t appear to be any dominating productions, so it should be a very competitive voting process in most of the categories.”
Joining Merrily We Roll Along and Ragtime in the category of Best Musical/Large Theater was Bullets Over Broadway, The Musical (also Ogunquit); Showboat and 42nd St. (Reagle Music Theatre); and Evita (North Shore Music Theatre). In the Best Play category, Merrimack Repertory Theatre has a pair of contenders, Silent Sky and The Royale; the Huntington received two nominations for Ripcord and A Guide for the Homesick (which also garnered a nomination for Best New Play); while Trinity Repertory Company’s Death of a Salesman and the ART’s Night of the Iguana also earned nominations.
In the Mid-Size category, Speakeasy Stage Company earned 24 nominations dispersed among five productions (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Men in Boats, Hand to God, Grand Concourse, and The Bridges of Madison County, a musical), while Lyric Stage and Greater Boston Stage earned 14 apiece. In the Fringe category, Moonbox Productions earned 14 nominations, largely on the strength of the musical Barnum.
IRNE Nominations – Large Stage
Best New Play
A Guide for the Homesick–Ken Urban–Huntington Theatre Company
Trans Scripts Part 1: The Women–Paul Lucas–ART
My 80–Year–Old Boyfriend–Christian Duhamel and Edward Bell–Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Our American Hamlet – Jake Broder – Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Finish Line – Joey Frangieh and Lisa Rafferty – Boston Theater Company (in association with the Boch Center)
Best Set Design
William Boles–A Guide for the Homesick–Huntington Theatre Company
James J. Fenton–Silent Sky–Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Derek McLane – The Night of the Iguana – ART
Tobin Ost – Ripcord – Huntington Theatre Company
Alexander Dodge – Tartuffe –Huntington Theatre Company
Soutra Gilmour, Merrily We Roll Along–Huntington Theatre Company
Best Costume Design
Ryan J. Moller–Beauty and the Beast–North Shore Music Theatre
Anita Yavich–Tartuffe–Huntington Theatre Company
Soutra Gilmour–Merrily We Roll Along–Huntington Theatre Company
Neil Fortin – Romeo and Juliet – Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Robert Kirk – 42nd Street – North Shore Music Theatre
Catherine Zuber –The Night of the Iguana – ART
Best Lighting Design
Russell H. Champa–A Guide for the Homesick–Huntington Theatre Company
David Lander –The Night of the Iguana – ART
Jamie Roderick – Romeo & Juliet – Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Brian J, Lilienthal – Silent Sky – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Kevin Adams – WARHOLCAPOTE – ART
Best Sound Design
Kevin Heard–Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Lindsay Jones–A Guide for the Homesick–Huntington Theatre Company
Mark Bennett – Ripcord – Huntington Theatre Company
David Remedios – Romeo & Juliet – Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
John Gromada –The Night of the Iguana – ART
David Keeton– Silent Sky – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Best Projection Design
Lucy Mackinnon–Ripcord–Huntington Theatre Company
Darrel Maloney – WARHOLCAPOTE – American Repertory Theatre
Christopher Ash – From Here to Eternity – Ogunquit Playhouse
Elizabeth Dombek – Young Frankenstein – North Shore Music Theatre
Best Choreography
Jeff Whiting–Bullets Over Broadway The Musical –Ogunquit Playhouse
Jesse Robb–Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Eric Tucker – Sense & Sensibility – ART
Rachel Bertone – Showboat – Reagle Music Theatre
Diane Laurenson – The Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
Eileen Grace & Susan M. Chebookjian – 42nd Street – Reagle Music Theatre
Best Solo Performance
Will Lyman–Krapp’s Last Tape – Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Thaddeus Phillips–17 Border Crossings – Arts Emerson
Charissa Bertels–My 80–Year– Old Boyfriend – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Best Ensemble
Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Showboat–Reagle Music Theatre
Transcripts – ART
Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Silent Sky – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
42nd Street – Reagle Music Theatre
Best Supporting Actress–Musical
Aimee Doherty – Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Jennifer Ellis – Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Rachel York – 42nd St. – Reagle Music Theatre
Ellen Peterson – The Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
Cheryl McMahon – The Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
Sally Struthers – Bullets Over Broadway The Musical– Ogunquit Playhouse
Best Supporting Actor–Musical
Michel Bell–Show Boat–Reagle Music Theatre
John Cudia–Evita–North Shore Music Theatre
Julian Decker–Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Brian Padgett – Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
Jacob ben Widmar – 42nd St. – North Shore Music Theatre
Best Actress–Musical
Kirsten Scott–Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Sarah Oakes Muirhead–Showboat–Reagle Music Theatre
Eden Espinosa Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Briana Carlson-Goodman – EVITA – North Shore Music Theatre
Siri Howard – The Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
Best Actor–Musical
Constantine Maroulis–Evita–North Shore Music Theatre
Josh Young–Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Reed Campbell–Bullets Over Broadway The Musical–Ogunquit Playhouse
Darnell Abraham – Ragtime – Ogunquit Playhouse
Mark Umbers – Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Damien Humbley – Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Best Supporting Actress–Play
Phyllis Kay–Death of a Salesman–Trinity Repertory Company
Elizabeth Ashley–The Night of the Iguana–ART
Ramona Lisa Alexander–The Royale–Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Paula Plum – Tartuffe – Huntington Theatre Company
Jane Pfitsch – Tartuffe – Huntington Theatre Company
Julia Brothers – Silent Sky – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Best Supporting Actor–Play
Matt Lytle–Death of a Salesman–Trinity Repertory Company
Will Lyman–Our American Hamlet–Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Mark W. Soucy The Royale – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Eric T. Miller – Ripcord – Huntington Theatre Company
Rom Barkhordar – The Who & the What – Huntington Theatre Company
Best Actress–Play
Annie Golden–Ripcord–Huntington Theatre Company
Nancy E. Carroll–Ripcord–Huntington Theatre Company
Alexis Bronkovic–Silent Sky– Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Amanda Plummer – The Night of the Iguana – ART
Andrea Syglowski –A Doll’s House – Huntington Theatre Company
Best Actor–Play
Stephen Berenson–Death of a Salesman– Trinity Repertory Company
McKinley Belcher III–A Guide for the Homesick–Huntington Theatre Company
Thomas Silcott – The Royale – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Dan Butler – WARHOLCAPOTE – ART
Stephen Spinella – WARHOLCAPOTE – ART
Matthew J. Harris – Top Dog/Under Dog – Huntington Theatre Company
Best Music Director
Jeffrey Campos–Ragtime–Ogunquit Playhouse
Matthew Stern–Merrily We Roll Along–Huntington Theatre Company
Dan Rodriguez–Show Boat–Reagle Music Theatre
Milton Granger – Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
Mark Hartman – Evita – North Shore Music Theatre
Best Visiting Play
The Beauty Queen of Leenane – Arts Emerson
Bedlam’s Sense & Sensibility – ART
Reversible – The 7 Fingers – Arts Emerson
The Color Purple – Boch Center
The King & I – Broadway in Boston
Cabaret – Broadway in Boston
Best Visiting Actress
Adrianna Hicks – The Color Purple – Boch Center
Marie Mullen – The Beauty Queen of Leenane – ArtsEmerson
Eva Tavares–The Phantom of the Opera–Broadway in Boston
Aisling O’Sullivan – The Beauty Queen of Leenane–ArtsEmerson
Carla R. Stewart – Color Purple–Boch Center Shubert
Laura Michele Kelly – King & I – Broadway In Boston
Best Visiting Actor
Robert Petkoff–Fun Home–Broadway in Boston
Euan Morton–Hedwig and the Angry Inch–Boch Center
Randy Harrison–Cabaret–Broadway in Boston
Jay Doughtry – Color Purple–Boch Center Shubert
Marty Rea – The Beauty Queen of Leenane–ArtsEmerson
John Davidson – Finding Neverland – Broadway in Boston
Best Director–Musical
Seth Sklar-Heyn – Ragtime – Ogunquit Playhouse
Jeff Whiting–Bullets Over Broadway The Musical – Ogunquit Playhouse
Maria Friedman–Merrily We Roll Along–Huntington Theatre Company
Rachel Bertone – Show Boat – Reagle Music Theatre
Eileen Grace – 42nd Street – Reagle Music Theatre
Nick Kenkel – Evita – North Shore Music Theatre
Best Director–Play
Colman Domingo – A Guide for the Homesick – Huntington Theatre Company
Megan Sandberg-Zakian – The Royale – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Sean Daniels – Silent Sky – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
M. Bevin O’Gara – The Who and the What – Huntington Theatre Company
Jessica Stone – Ripcord – Huntington Theatre Company
Michael Mayer – WARHOLCAPOTE – ART
Best Musical
Ragtime – Ogunquit Playhouse
Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Bullets Over Broadway The Musical – Ogunquit Playhouse
42nd Street – Reagle Music Theatre
Showboat – Reagle Music Theatre
Evita – North Shore Music Theatre
Best Play
A Guide for the Homesick – Huntington Theatre Company
Death of a Salesman – Trinity Repertory Company
The Royale – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Silent Sky – Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Night of the Iguana – ART
Ripcord – Huntington Theatre Company
Most Promising Young Performer
Carly Gold/Jadyn Schwartz – Fun Home – Broadway in Boston
Tyler Wladis – Ragtime – Ogunquit Playhouse
Cameron Levesque and Brendan O’Brien – Merrily We Roll Along – Huntington Theatre Company
Ben Choi-Harris – The Music Man – North Shore Music Theatre
IRNE Nominations – Small Stage
Best New Play
Paradise – Laura Maria Censabella – Underground Railway Theater
Plank–John Greiner-Ferris–Alley Cat Theater
Lost Tempo – Cliff Odle – Boston Playwright’s Theatre
Sister Anonymous – Catherine O’Neil – Second Act Productions
Nurse Play – James Wilkinson – Exiled Theatre
Best Set Design
She Loves Me – Brynna Bloomfield – Greater Boston Stage Company
Sara Brown–Edward II–Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Danielle Fauteux Jacques–Three Sisters–Apollinaire Theatre
JiYoung Han – Plank – Alley Cat Theater
Christopher and Justin Swader – Curious Incident – SpeakEasy Stage
Best Costume Design
Marian Bertone–Barnum – Moonbox Productions
She Loves Me – Gail Astrid Buckley – Greater Boston Stage Company
Cotton Talbot Minkin – Princess & the Pea – imaginary beasts
Rachel Padula–Shufelt – Men in Boats – SpeakEasy Stage
Elizabeth Rocha–Three Sisters–Apollinaire Theatre
Best Lighting Design
Jeff Adelberg–Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night–SpeakEasy Stage
Barbara Craig–Plank–Alley Cat Theatre
Bridget K. Doyle—Ideation—New Rep/BCAP
Karen Perlow – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? – Lyric Stage
Russ Swift – Rainmaker – Gloucester Stage
Annie Wiegand – The Bridges of Madison County – SpeakEasy Stage
Best Projection Design
Johnathan Carr–Hold These Truths–Lyric Stage
Seaghan McKay–Golda’s Balcony–New Rep
Ari Herzig–The Bridges of Madison County–SpeakEasy Stage
Michael Griggs – The Effect – Gloucester Stage
Best Sound Design
David Remedios– Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night – SpeakEasy Stage
Andrew Duncan Will–Hand to God–SpeakEasy Stage
David Wilson–Edward II–Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Dewey Dellay – Constellations – Underground Railway Theater
Grant Furgiuele – Coyote on a Fence – Hub Theatre
Choreography
Rachel Bertone–Barnum–Moonbox Productions
Yo-EL Cassell–The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time–SpeakEasy Stage
Laurel Conrad–Billy Elliott–Wheelock Family Theatre
Ilyse Robbins – Dames at Sea – Greater Boston Stage Company
Best Solo Performance
Debra Wise–Homebody–Underground Railway Theater
Georgia Lyman–The Atheist–Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
Johnny Lee Davenport – Thurgood – New Rep
Bobbie Steinbach – Golda’s Balcony – New Rep
Michael Hisamoto – Hold These Truths – Lyric Stage
Kerri Jill Garbis – I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti – Greater Boston Stage
Ensemble
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – SpeakEasy Stage
Silent Sky – Flat Earth Theatre
39 Steps – Moonbox Productions
Exit Strategy – Zeitgeist Stage
Barnum – Moonbox
Jesus Hopped the A Train – Praxis Stage
Best Supporting Actress–Play–Fringe
Juliet Bowler–Silent Sky–Flat Earth Theatre
Maureen Adduci–Exit Strategy–Zeitgeist Stage
Aina Adler–The Little Dog Laughed–Take Your Pick Productions
Kristen Heider–Fat Pig–Flat Earth Theatre
Samantha Richert–Elemeno Pea–Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
Nancy Finn – A Bright Room Called Day – Flat Earth Theatre
Best Supporting Actor–Play–Fringe
Brooks Reeves–Three Sisters–Apollinaire Theatre
Steve Auger–Incident at Vichy–Praxis Stage
David Anderson–Faceless–Zeitgeist Stage
Robert Bonotto – Exit Strategy – Zeitgeist Stage
Matthew Fagerberg – The Little Dog Laughed – Take Your Pick Productions
Matthew Zahnzinger and Bob Mussett – 39 Steps – Moonbox Productions
Best Actress–Play–Fringe
Lindsay Eagle–Fat Pig–Flat Earth Theatre
Audrey Lynn Sylvia–The Little Dog Laughed–Take Your Pick Productions
Ashley Risteen–Faceless–Zeitgeist Stage Company
Erin Eva Butcher – Silent Sky – Flat Earth Theatre
Sarah Gazdowicz – The 39 Steps – Moonbox Productions
Susannah Wilson – Nurse Play– Exiled Theatre
Best Actor–Play–Fringe
Cody Sloan–Nurse Play–Exiled Theatre
Cameron Gosselin–Coyote on a Fence–Hub Theatre Company of Boston
Sam Terry –Desire– Zeitgeist Stage
Robert Orzalli & Gabriel Graetz–Waiting for Waiting for Godot–Hub Theatre
Kevin Cirone–The 39 Steps Moonbox Productions
Matthew Fagerberg – Exit Strategy – Zeitgeist Stage
Supporting Actress–Play–Midsize
Marianna Bassham–Julius Caesar–Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Laura Latreille–The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time–SpeakEasy Stage
Nancy Carroll – Precious Little – The Nora Theatre Company
Karoline Xu – Precious Little – The Nora Theatre Company
Christine Hamel – Ideation – New Rep/BCAP
Best Supporting Actor–Play–Midsize
Eddie Shields–Edward II–Actors Shakespeare Project
Craig Mathers–The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime – SpeakEasy Stage
Jake Murphy–Ideation – New Rep/BCAP
Thomas Derrah – Grand Concourse – SpeakEasy Stage
Dan Whelton – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? – Lyric
Lewis D. Wheeler – Ideation – New Rep/BCAP
Best Actress–Play–Midsize
Kippy Goldfarb–Really–Company One
Georgia Lyman–Gabriel–Greater Boston Stage
Paula Plum – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? – Lyric Stage
Olivia D’Ambrosio – Mrs. Packard – Bridge Rep/Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company
Melinda Lopez – Grand Concourse – SpeakEasy Stage
Marianna Bassham – Hand to God – SpeakEasy
Best Actor–Play–Midsize
Eliot Purcell–The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night–Time – SpeakEasy Stage
Maurice Emmanuel Parent–Edward II–Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Steve Barkhimer – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? – Lyric Stage
Nael Nacer – Constellations – Underground Railway Theater
Thomas Derrah – Gabriel – Greater Boston Stage
Lewis D. Wheeler – To Kill a Mockingbird – Gloucester Stage
Best Supporting Actress–Musical
Aimee Doherty–She Loves Me–Greater Boston Stage
Cheryl D. Singleton–Billy Elliott–Wheelock Family Theatre
Kerry Dowling – Bridge of Madison County – SpeakEasy
Shana Dirik – Dames at Sea – Greater Boston Stage
Jessica Kundla–Barnum – Moonbox Productions
Carla Martinez – Barnum – Moonbox Productions
Best Supporting Actor–Musical
Jared Troilo–She Loves Me–Greater Boston Stage
Christopher Chew–The Bridges of Madison County–SpeakEasy Stage
Diego Guevara–In the Heights–Wheelock Family Theatre
Steven Barkhimer – Gypsy – Lyric Stage
Taavon Gamble– Dames at Sea – Greater Boston Stage
Best Actress–Musical
Ute Gfrerer–Man of La Mancha–New Rep
Leigh Barrett–Gypsy–Lyric Stage Company
Jennifer Ellis – The Bridges of Madison County – SpeakEasy Stage
Shonna Cirone–Barnum–Moonbox Productions
Ephie Aardema–Dames at Sea–Greater Boston Stage
Best Actor – Musical
Christiaan Smith–The Bridges of Madison County–SpeakEasy Stage
Diego Klock–Perez –In The Heights –Wheelock Family Theatre
Sam Simahk – She Loves Me – Greater Boston Stage
Jared Troilo – Camelot – Lyric Stage
Todd Yard – Barnum – Moonbox Productions
Music Director
Matthew Stern–The Bridges of Madison County–SpeakEasy Stage
Dan Rodriguez— In the Heights – Wheelock Family Theatre
Jon Goldberg – Billy Elliott–Wheelock Family Theatre
Catherine Stornetta – Camelot – Lyric
Steven Ladd Jones – Dames at Sea – Greater Boston Stage
Best Director–Play–Fringe
Cassandra Lovering–The Little Dog Laughed – Take Your Pick Productions
David Miller–Faceless–Zeitgeist Stage
Dori A. Robinson–Silent Sky–Flat Earth Theatre
Daniel Bourque – Coyote on a Fence – Hub Theatre
Juliet Bowler – Fat Pig – Flat Earth
Allison Olivia Choat – 39 Steps – Moonbox Productions
Best Director–Play–Midsize
Emily Rinii – Mrs. Packard – Bridge Rep/Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company
David R. Gammons – Edward II – Actors Shakespeare Project
Paul Daigneault – Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time- Speakeasy Stage
Olivia D’Ambrosio – Intimate Exchanges – The Nora Theatre Company
Weylin Symes – Gabriel – Greater Boston Stage
Jim Petosa – Ideation – New Rep/BCAP
Visiting Production
American Moor–O.W.I. (Bureau of Theatre) and Phoenix Theatre Ensemble
You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!–Regent Theatre
Visiting Performer
Keith Hamilton Cobb–American Moor–O.W.I. (Bureau of Theatre) and Phoenix Theatre
Kerry Jill Garbis–I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti Greater Boston Stage
Annabelle Gurevitch and Jeff Kahn–You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!–Regent Theatre
Best Director–Musical
Susan Kosoff–Billy Elliot–Wheelock Family Theatre
M. Bevin O’Gara–The Bridges of Madison County–SpeakEasy Stage
Rachel Bertone– In The Heights – Wheelock Family Theatre
Spiro Veloudos – Camelot – Lyric Stage
Ilyse Robbins – She Loves Me – Greater Boston Stage
Best Musical
Billy Elliott–Wheelock Family Theatre
The Bridges of Madison County – SpeakEasy Stage Company
Gypsy–Lyric Stage
In the Heights – Wheelock Family Theatre
Dames at Sea – Greater Boston Stage
Barnum–Moonbox Productions
Play–Fringe
The Little Dog Laughed–Take Your Pick Productions
Faceless–Zeitgeist Stage
Silent Sky–Flat Earth Theatre
Exit Strategy – Zeitgeist Stage
The 39 Steps Moonbox Productions
Coyote on a Fence – Hub Theatre
Play–Midsize
Edward II–Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night – SpeakEasy
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? – Lyric Stage
Intimate Exchanges – The Nora Theatre Company
Gabriel – Greater Boston Stage
Ideation – New Rep/BCAP
Promising Young Performer
Marissa Simeqi–Gabriel–Greater Boston Stage
Brendan Callahan—She Loves Me–Greater Boston Stage
Shane Boucher and Seth Judice – Billy Elliott – Wheelock Family Theatre
Jalani Dutton Koye – Exit Strategy – Zeitgeist Stage
Carly Williams – To Kill A Mockingbird – Gloucester Stage
Cate Galante – Gypsy – Lyric Stage
My 80–Year–Old Boyfriend–Christian Duhamel and Edward Bell–Merrimack Repertory Theatre and Charissa Bertels were a match made in heaven for a creative, engaging script and the perfect leading lady!
My 80–Year–Old Boyfriend–Christian Duhamel and Edward Bell–Merrimack Repertory Theatre and Charissa Bertels were a match made in heaven for a creative, engaging script and the perfect leading lady!
Thanks to the IRNE committee for all the hard work that was done by everybody involved in a Zeitgeist Stage production and congratulations to all the nominees!
Brava! Brava, mi cara!
You know, you’re right; I haven’t seen enough plays recently to make my opinions about them relevant, so I’m no longer a voting member.
I guess it’s time; I’m not 84 after all and hunting&pecking with one eye (cataracts) and one hand & arm is a lot harder than I thought.
At this time I can only say, best of luck to everyone involved!
So, I guess I’ll see you all in April….
Love,
===Anon.
( aka That Fat O L D Man with The Cane )