Nominations — Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Award 2013
I always tell people, and many from outside the Delaware Valley are surprised to hear, that theater in Philadelphia can compete with productions anywhere in the world, even New York and London. In the last 40 years, I have seen Philadelphia change from being primarily a tryout town, where shows were tested in front of audiences, to a production center than boasts more than 50 companies and at least a dozen the quality of which can be guaranteed.
Each year since 1971, I have given the Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Award. Please notice that “critic” and its possessive are singular. I am the lone judge, and alas, only shows I’ve seen qualify. So a brilliant performance I missed can be overlooked. By tradition, the Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Award in given annually at the end of December, which is mid-season. (The Zoren Award, which encompasses any show I see anywhere in the world, is bestowed in July.)
I do this because I like awards, and I like to remember and pay tribute to the performances that reminded of why I love the theater. This year’s lists are based om 92 plays, seen throughout 2013 in the Philadelphia area.
Today, I present the nominees. On January 1, I will announce the recipients of the Philadelphia Theater Critic’s Award and the Top20. I will tell you now, 15 places did not always cover the excellence I saw during this past year.
(And yes, of course I realize this is a bit much, but I enjoy it. So……)
THE NOMINEES:
For BEST PRODUCTION
THE CONVERT — Wilma Theatre
EVERYMAN — Villanova Theatre
GOOD PEOPLE — Walnut Street Theatre
INTO THE WOODS — McCarter Theatre
PARADE — Arden Theatre
For BEST ACTOR
STANLEY BAHOREK — Nerds, Philadelphia Theatre Company
CHARLIE DelMARCELLE, I Am My Own Wife, Theatre Horizon
CHRISTOPHER PETERSON, La Cage Aux Folles, Clear Stage
CHRISTOPHER SUTTON, Elf, Walnut Street Theatre
STUART WARD, Once, National Tour, Academy of Music
For BEST ACTRESS
KRISTEN BUSH, Proof, McCarter Theatre
JULIE CZARNECKI, Good People, Walnut Street Theatre
MARSHA MASON, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Bucks County Playhouse
NANCY MORICETTE, The Convert, Wilma Theatre
JENNI PUTNEY, Venus in Fur, Philadelphia Theatre Company
For BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
JEFFREY COON, Parade, Arden Theatre (and two others)
PATRICK DUNN, The Pirates of Penzance, Bristol Riverside Theatre
CHRISTOPHER PATRICK MULLEN, Cinderella: A Musical Panto, People’s Light & Theatre Company
U.R., Stick Fly, Arden Theatre
BEN STEINFELD, Into the Woods, McCarter Theatre
For BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
JESSIE AUSTRIAN, Into the Woods, McCarter Theatre
MARILU HENNER, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Bucks County Playhouse
ZAINAB JAH, The Convert, Wilma Theatre
EMILY JON MITCHELL, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Bucks County Playhouse
KIM ZIMMER, Wicked, National Tour, Academy of Music
For BEST DIRECTOR
NOAH BRODY and BEN STEINFELD, Into the Woods, McCarter Theatre
REV. DAVID CREGAN, Everyman, Villanova Theatre
BERNARD HAVARD, Good People, Walnut Street Theatre
EMILY MANN, Proof, McCarter Theatre
TERRENCE J. NOLEN, Parade, Arden Theatre
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