Toronto’s theatre community shined bright at the 44th annual Dora Mavor Awards Monday night at the historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre.
Hosted by Canadian actor Ryan G. Hinds, the ceremony and award presentation saw the recipients of 43 award categories be recognized by members of the city’s vibrant performing arts scene.
The award show is named after Dora Mavor Moore (1888-1979), a beloved teacher and director, who held a pivotal role in establishing Canadian professional theatre in the 1930s and 1940s. The Doras reflect and honour the exceptional work of theatre creators, dance and opera productions across seven divisions.
Canadian actress and granddaughter of the iconic director, Charlotte Moore, shared the importance of the momentous event.
“The significance of tonight’s events has to do with the whole community, the Toronto theater community, and celebrating each other. It celebrates a sense of history, a sense of legacy and inclusion, and it’s so important to our community, it’s hard to describe,” she said in an interview with Now Toronto.
Without further ado, here are some of notable winners of the esteemed awards:
MUSICAL THEATRE
Presented by Crow’s Theatre and The Musical Stage Company, the record-breaking production of Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 won the award for musical theatre. In addition, the production also won in the categories of outstanding production, outstanding performance by an ensemble, outstanding creative direction and outstanding achievement in design.
The production follows a young girl named Natasha in Moscow who falls under the spell of society’s playboy, Anatole. As a result, her friend Pierre must help save her shattered reputation. For 16 weeks, the hit musical sold-out at Streetcar Crowsnest. Fortunately, for fans, the play is returning next summer at Royal Alexandra Theatre, as part of the 2024/25 Mirvish Main Subscription Season.
JON KAPLAN AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
The prestigious Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award which is sponsored by Now Toronto, honours the long-time theatre critic and is chosen by the public went to Woking Phoenix. The Theatre Passe Muraille and Silk Bath Collective co-production centers on the intergenerational Chinese story of three siblings, their mother, and their restaurant who seek acceptance and belonging in their small town in Ontario.
GENERAL THEATRE
After Chekhov’s, Three Sisters, walked away with three Doras for general theatre, outstanding production and outstanding performance by an ensemble. The play by Soulpepper and Obsidian Theatre Company, focuses on three sisters, Lolo, Nne Chukwu and Udo, who are struggling with the loss of their father, one year after his passing. While living in their small village of Owerri, Nigeria, the Biafran Civil War begins and changes the trajectory of their lives completely. The play is described as a take on “the devastation of colonialism and a fight for emancipation through the lens of a family and love.”
OPERA
Luigi Cherubini’s Medea, presented by the Canadian Opera Company in co-production with The Metropolitan Opera, Greek National Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago, dominated the opera division with a full sweep. The opera features world-renowned soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and director Sir David McVicar.
DANCE
When it comes to dance, “Young, Gifted & Jazz” (dance immersion and Holla Jazz, in association with Canadian Stage) took home the Dora for outstanding production and Citadel’s “Cymatix” and Compagnie’s “Spring Mix” program won the Caroline “Lady C” Fraser’s choreography and performance award.
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
In the theatre for young audiences division, Bad Hats Theatre’s Storybook Search secured two awards out of its five nominations, with outstanding production and outstanding performance by an ensemble.
Similarly, Kanika Ambrose’s Truth by Young People’s Theatre received two awards, one for outstanding new play and another for outstanding performance by an individual, thanks to its star Jasmine Case.
For the full list of DORA award winners, click here.
