Advertisement

Culture Theatre

Critics’ picks

A post-apocalyptic play inspired by an animated TV series, a musical based on a popular anthology of poems about residents of a fictional small town and a vivid staging of a Spanish drama are among the big winners of this years Toronto Theatre Critics Awards.

The awards, now in their fifth year, recognize the best shows that played in Toronto from roughly June 2014 to May 2015. Theyre decided among a group of critics (disclosure: Im one), from The Globe And Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, NOW Magazine and Torontoist.

Tying for best production of a play are two radically different shows: the indie hit Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, produced by Outside the March in association with Starvox Entertainment and Crows Theatre, and Arcadia, a witty play by Tom Stoppard that was remounted by Mirvish after its sold-out run at the Shaw Festival.

Mr. Burns, a three-act show that spans nearly a century and, because of its post-apocalyptic feel, is performed without traditional lighting, also won best design, acknowledging the work of Nick Blais (lighting), Ken Mackenzie (sets), Lindsay Junkin (costumes), Sam Sholdice (sound) and Marcus Jamin (puppets, which include a giant replica of the eponymous Simpsons characters bony fingers.

In the play categories, David Ferry won best actor for his searing performance in Blackbird as a man who meets the woman he abused when she was 12. And Fiona Reid won best actress for her revelatory turn as a disgruntled sister in a family of comic misfits in Vanya And Sonia And Masha And Spike.

Best new international play went to Bob Kills Theatres production of Stephen Adly Gurgiss edgy The Motherfucker With The Hat. Juan Chiorans precise, nuanced turn as the loyal relative of one of the shows protagonists earned him the TTCA for supporting actor.

Soheil Parsas imaginative staging of Federico Garcia Lorcas lyrical melodrama Blood Wedding earned him the best director prize. And Beatriz Pizano was named best supporting actress for her imperious portrayal of the proud mother of a son about to be married. The show was a fitting marriage of two indie companies, Modern Times Theatre, where Parsa’s artistic director, and Aluna Theatre, where Pizano is A.D.

Best new Canadian play went to Michel Marc Bouchards slice of Quebec gothic, Tom At The Farm (translated by Linda Gaboriau), which was produced at Buddies in Bad Times and was earlier made into a film directed by Xavier Dolan.

In the musical categories, two shows came away with double wins. Soulpeppers adaptation of Edgar Lee Masterss anthology Spoon River, won for best production of a musical, and Albert Schultz won for his dynamic directing the heartfelt show.

The Wild Party, a highly energetic collaboration between Acting Up Stage Company and Obsidian Theatre, took home awards for best actor in a musical (Daren A. Herbert), and best supporting actress (Susan Gilmour).

Trish Lindstrom won the award for best actress in a musical for her achingly good performance as Girl in the Irish musical Once. And Jacob MacInnis got the critics vote for best supporting actor for his scene-stealing performance as an earthworm in Young Peoples Theatres production of James And The Giant Peach.

Of the winners, two shows are currently still running: Mr. Burns, which closes June 7, and Once, which continues at least until the end of June.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony on June 8, hosted by Marcello Cabezas at the Spoke Club, one of Torontos arts and media hubs.

For the first time in the awards history, 14 spots for the general public are available to attend. Please email ttcarsvp@gmail.com to RSVP. First come, first served.

****

Best Production of a Play (TIE)

Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play (Outside the March, in association with Starvox Entertainment and Crow’s Theatre)

and

Arcadia (Mirvish/Shaw Festival)

Best New Canadian Play:

Tom At The Farm, by Michel Marc Bouchard, translated by Linda Gaboriau (Buddies in Bad Times)

Best New International Play:

The Motherfucker With The Hat, by Stephen Adly Guirgis (Bob Kills Theatre Production)

Best Director of a Play:

Soheil Parsa, Blood Wedding (Modern Times Stage Company/Aluna Theatre)

Best Actor in a Play:

David Ferry, Blackbird (FilmBooth Productions)

Best Actress in a Play:

Fiona Reid, Vanya And Sonia And Masha And Spike (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre)

Best Supporting Actor in a Play:

Juan Chioran, The Motherfucker With The Hat (Bob Kills Theatre Production)

Best Supporting Actress in a Play:

Beatriz Pizano, Blood Wedding (Modern Times Stage Company/Aluna Theatre)

Best Design in a Play or Musical:

Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play (Outside the March, in association with Starvox Entertainment and Crow’s Theatre): Nick Blais (lighting designer), Ken Mackenzie (set designer), Lindsay Junkin (costume designer), Sam Sholdice (sound design), Marcus Jamin (puppet designer)

Best Production of a Musical:

Spoon River (Soulpepper)

Best Director of a Musical:

Albert Schultz, Spoon River (Soulpepper)

Best Actress in a Musical:

Trish Lindstrom, Once (Mirvish)

Best Actor in a Musical:

Daren A. Herbert, The Wild Party (Acting Up Stage Company in association with Obsidian Theatre)

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical:

Susan Gilmour, The Wild Party (Acting Up Stage Company in association with Obsidian Theatre)

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical:

Jacob MacInnis, James And The Giant Peach (Young People’s Theatre)

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted