2005 L.A. Ovation Awards Presented at Orpheum Theatre

The Los Angeles theatre community poured into the majestic Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A. on Monday, November 14 for the annual Ovation Awards, the city’s only peer-judged theater honors ceremony, produced by the L.A. Stage Alliance. The awards were spread among dozens of L.A.-area shows. The West Coast premiere of Tracy Letts harrowing dark comedy Killer Joe and the Fullerton Civic Light Opera staging of the musical Miss Saigon led the pack with four awards each, followed by the Rubicon Theatre production of Jason Robert Brown’s musical Songs For a New World, which aced three categories.

Jon Robin Baitz’s The Paris Letter, which had its world premiere run at the Kirk Douglas Theatre last December prior to its Off-Broadway debut, nabbed the coveted World Premiere Play award, while the spoof Blake..Da Musical!, inspired by actor Robert Blake’s tabloid scandals, received the World Premiere Musical nod. Edward Albee’s The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? was cited as the best Play in a Large Theatre for its Southern California bow at the Mark Taper Forum. The Musical in an Intimate Theatre Award went to Jim Brochu and Steve Scalchlin’s autobiographical show about their careers and relationship, The Big Voice. Among the acting award winners were Robert Mandan for The Caretaker, Chris Butler and Deidrie Henry for Yellowman, and Anika Noni Rose for Caroline, or Change.

Director Mark Seldis helmed a tasteful presentation, favoring straightforward announcement of awards over the usual parade of musical segments and other special features. Ann Magnuson, who received rave notices for her work in the Blank Theatre’s still-running comedy The Book of Liz, was a droll and sophisticated hostess, joined by such distinguished presenters as composer Jerry Herman; actors Sally Kellerman, Joe Mantegna, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Sandra Tsing Loh; producer-director Robert Egan; and the Center Theatre Group’s new artistic director, Michael Ritchie.

Tom Troupe and his ever-audacious wife, Carole Cooke, cracked up the crowd while presenting the special Board of Governors Award for Career Achievement to veteran director David Galligan. Actor-director-playwright Luis Alfaro brought some of his students onstage to impart eloquent words of wisdom as he accepted the James A. Doolittle Award for Leadership in the Theatre. Shakespeare Festival/LA founder Ben Donenberg likewise made stirring comments in accepting the Community Outreach Award for his highly respected 20-year old organization. The producers wisely included a tribute to the late playwright August Wilson, who frequently collaborated with Center Theatre Group in the development of his works. Gordon Davidson, who recently retired as CTG’s artistic director, delivered the heart-rending salute.

For a complete list of the nominees and winners, click here.