ZACH Theatre – An Austin Theatre Blog

Martin Burke in ZACH's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, photo by Kirk Tuck

The best and brightest in Austin arts critics presents the Austin Critics Table Awards each year. Now, in its 19th year, awards were presented last night by local arts critics to recognize the most exceptional achievements in dance, classical music, the visual arts and theatre — for a period covering May 2010 through April 2011.

This year’s committee was composed of the Austin American-Statesman’s Michael Barnes (arts), Cate Blouke (theatre), Claire Canavan (theatre), Luke Quinton (classical music/visual arts), Claire Spera (dance), and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin (arts) and The Austin Chronicle’s Elizabeth Cobbe (theatre), Jonelle Seitz (dance), Avimaan Syam (theatre) and the Chronicle’s Robert Faires (arts).

Barbara Chisholm as Molly Ivins in RED HOT PATRIOT: THE KICK-ASS WIT OF MOLLY IVINS, Photo by Kirk Tuck

ZACH Theatre and its actors were presented with several awards at the informal ceremony at Cap City Comedy Club last night, including:

• BEST COMEDY PRODUCTION – Becky’s New Car starring Lauren Lane
• BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION – The Drowsy Chaperone
• BEST ACTING IN A LEADING ROLE -
  Martin Burke in The Drowsy Chaperone,
  Barbara Chisholm in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins,
  Lauren Lane in Becky’s New Car and August: Osage County
• BEST ACTING IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -
  Joshua Denning – Rent
  Meredith McCall – The Drowsy Chaperone
• BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – Robin Lewis for The Drowsy Chaperone and Rent
• BEST COSTUME DESIGN – Susan Branch Towne for The Drowsy Chaperone
  

Thanks to all the casts and crewmembers who worked with the theatre to make this such an exciting season! We look forward to continue bringing quality theatre to Austin in the 2011-12 Season — which we’ve just announced!

Another exciting tidbit: If you missed Barbara Chisholm’s award-winning performance in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, ZACH will be remounting the play late this summer in-the-round on the intimate Whisenhunt Stage.

For a full list of winners, please check out today’s blog at Austin360.com.

Congrats to all!

ZACH Theatre is nominated for nine 2010 Austin Critics’ Table Awards, including 5 nods for Dave Steakley’s current production of OUR TOWN. The Austin Critics’ Table is an informal group of Austin arts community members composed of critics from The Austin American Statesman, The Austin Chronicle and might be good. This is the 18th year for these awards; ZACH nominations include:

• Musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Acting in a Supporting Role: Michael Amendola, Our Town
• Acting in a Supporting Role: Jordan McRae, Our Town
• Acting in a Supporting Role: Jose Villarreal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Ensemble Performance: Our Town
• Ensemble Performance: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Scenic Design: Michael Raiford, Rockin’ Christmas Party
• Lighting Design: Jason Amato, Our Town
• Sound Design: Craig Brock, Our Town

ZACH stars Martin Burke from the upcoming production of The Drowsy Chaperone, Meredith McCall, and Lauren Lane from Becky’s New Car were also nominated in the “Acting in a Leading Role” category for the original play House of Several Stories – which was also nominated for “David Mark Cohen New Play Award” for playwright A. John Boulanger.

Austin Critics Table members include the Austin American-Statesman’s Michael Barnes (arts), Claire Canavan (theatre), Clare Croft (dance), and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin (arts); … might be good’s Claire Ruud (visual arts); and the Chronicle’s Elizabeth Cobbe (theatre), Michael Kellerman (music), Jonelle Seitz (dance), Avimaan Syam (theatre), and Robert Faires (arts).

Awards will be announced in a ceremony on Monday, June 7th, at 7 p.m., at Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research. The event is free and open to the public.