Burnaby is once again making itself felt in the annual Ovation Awards.
The awards celebrate the best in musical theatre from the Greater Vancouver region, and nominees for the 2016 edition have just been announced.
Among the leaders is Align Entertainment, whose production of The Addams Family was a hit at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby last year.
The Addams Family is up for Outstanding Community Production – Large Theatre, and it’s also earned nominations for Outstanding Music Direction (Brent Hughes) and Outstanding Direction (Chad Matchette). Marilyn Rapanos and Julie White also took a nomination for Outstanding Costume Design, while Leah Cuff and Jan Ballard have earned a nomination in a special jury’s choice category for their makeup and wigs.
The Addams Family also earned nominations in some performance categories, including Outstanding Lead Male (Brennan Cuff as Gomez) and Outstanding Supporting Female (Laura Cowan Beattie as Morticia).
Two more performers from The Addams Family – Hannah Williams and Laura Geluch – earned nominations for Outstanding Newcomer – Female.
More Burnaby connections come from DramaNatrix Productions, a company co-founded and co-produced by Burnaby’s Nancy von Euw. The company’s production of The It Girl earned a nomination for Outstanding Community Production – Small Theatre, and its choreographer, Erika Babins, earned a nomination for Outstanding Choreography.
Burnaby actor Katie Purych, who starred in The It Girl, earned an Outstanding Lead Performance – Female nomination for her work in another show – Dogfight, by Awkward Stage Productions. Purych also earned an Outstanding Newcomer – Female nomination for her work on The It Girl, Dogfight, One + One and The Addams Family.
Burnaby’s Stefanie Stanley Dalton earned a nomination for Outstanding Chorus Member/Gypsy for her work in both The It Girl and The Addams Family.
Another Burnaby performer, Aubrey Joy Maddock, earned an Outstanding Performance – Youth nomination for her work as John the Baptist in Godspell, while Avery Johnson earned a nod in the same category for playing Puglsey in The Addams Family and Scut Farkus in the Arts Club’s A Christmas Story.
Winners in all categories will be announced at the 12th annual Ovation Awards gala on Sunday, Jan. 31. See www.applausemusicals.com for all the nominees.
(Did we miss anyone? If you know a Burnaby resident not listed here, email Julie, [email protected].)
