PEOPLE OF NOTE: AUDELCO: Looking Back and Moving Forward

      *The 37th Annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre kicked off on Monday, November 16th at Harlem Stages/Aaron Davis Hall with the theme “Looking Back, Moving Forward.”  This year's honorary co-chairs were award winning Tony nominated actress Starletta DuPois and Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, artistic director of Rebel Theatre and a four time AUDELCO award winner. Co-hosts for the evening were Guiding Light and One Life to Live actress Kim Brockington and Ted Lange who made the character 'Issac' a household name on the popular television show “Love Boat.” 

      After a rousing rendition of “Sing Harlem Sing,” from Vi Higginsen's “Sing Harlem Sing” play, and a few words from Grace L. Jones, AUDELCO's illustrious president, the lengthy evening was off and running.

Ruined swept the Awards winning 7 AUDELCO Awards in the categories of set design, costume design, playwright award, lead actress, supporting actor, supporting actress and Dramatic Production of the Year.

Matthew Frey won for his ingenious lighting in the play “Zooman and the Sign.”  Derek McLane's “Ruined”set was awarded.  The Judy Dearing Costume Design Award went to Paul Tazwell for “Ruined.” and C. Andrew Mayer won for sound design in “Pure Confidence.”

Marion McClinton won for Director/Dramatic Production for the play “Pure Confidence.”
Keith Lee Grant (The Wiz) won in the categories Director/Musical Production and the Katherine Dunham Award for his choreography in The Wiz.
 
Lynn Nottage won the August Wilson Playwright Award for penning Ruined.
Russell G. Jones won in the Supporting Actor category for “Ruined.”
Quincy Tyler Bernstine won for Supporting Actress – Ruined

Musical Production of the Year was awarded to the play Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe
Outstanding Musical Director for Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe went to Kelvyn Bell
Outstanding Male Performance in a Musial went to veteran actor Andre De Shields for his role in Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe. 
Outstanding Female Performance in a Musical -  Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe went to Kim Brockington.

Outstanding Ensemble Performance went to Kevin Carroll, Tracey Bonner and January Lavoy (Home Signature Theatre).

Kahill Ashanti won for best solo performance for his one-man-show, Basic Training.

Gavin Lawrence won in the Lead Actor category for “Pure Confidence.”

Saiddah Arika Aekulona won as best Lead Actress in Ruined.

Best Rival Award went to Zooman and the Sign (Signature Theatre Company)

Ruined won for Dramatic Production of the Year (Manhattan Theatre Club).

Pioneer Awards were awarded t New Federal Theatre Company Manager and director Patricia White, Director Playwright Ray Aranha, Kojo Ade, and choreographer Robin Williams.

Michael Green, Lazette McCants, Dwayne Trotman, Veona Thomas won Board of Director awards.

Young 14 year old guitarist, Solomon Hicks, won the Rising Star Award.
Van Dirk Fisher snared the Special Achievement Award (Riant Theatre).

      The evening performances consisted of Impact Repertory, John D. Thompson's rendition of Othello, an excerpt from King Lear by Trezana Beverley and Denise Dumaine and Michael Leonard James performed a dance tribute to Michael Jackson.  However, it was CP Lacey who brought the house down when he brought Michael Jackson back to life with his outstanding performance of the King of Pop.