Last Straw Awards 2017

 

By Joe Straw

I saw some incredible plays last year with equally incredible performances.  Just when you thought you couldn’t see any better, along comes another one.

And maybe a sad note, this may be it for the Last Straw Awards.  But, time will tell.

Art should never be a competition and it’s not here.  So, I’d like to recognize the writers, directors, and actor who put their best foot forward on the night I attended. It’s all about the craft, baby.

All right that said, I’d still like to give the credos where the credos are due. It doesn't matter if you are a lead or supporting player, if I though the work was excellent, then a mention was due.

First, the writers for without them there would be no play.

Writers:

Stephen Adly Guirgis -  The Motherf**ker with the Hat

Steven G. Simon & Howard Teichman - Fugu

Jordan Tannahill - Late Company

Ray Richmnod - Transition

Jonathan Ceniceroz – The Cruise

David Lindsay-Abaire – Rabbit Hole

Clare Coss – Dr. Dubois and Miss Ovington

Giovanni Adams –Love is a Dirty Word

John Pollono – Rules of Seconds

María Irene Fornés – The Conduct of Life

Lin-Manuel Miranda – Hamilton
Josefina Lopez - Enemy of the Pueblo

Actors:

The Motherfu*cker with the Hat By Stephen Adly Guirgis -  Lyric Hyperion Theatre– Directed by Tony Gatto

Jorge-Luis Pallo

Fayna Sanchez

Nelson Delrosario

Libby Ewing

Eddie Martinez

Aladdin – Book by Jim Luigs, José Cruz Gonzáles, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice

Omar Mata

Fugu by Steven G. Simon & Howard Teichman – Pico Playhouse – Directed by Howard Teichman

Scott Keiji Takeda

Late Company by Jordan Tannahill – Theatre 40 – Directed by Bruce Gray

Ann Hearn

The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer – The Chromolume Theatre – Directed by Marilyn McIntyre

Carole Weyer

Transition by Ray Richmond - Lounge Theatre- directed by Lee Costello

Harry S. Murphy

Joshua Wolf Coleman

The Cruise by Jonathan Ceniceroz – Latino Theatre Company – directed by Health Cullens

Rick Salinas

Kenneth Lopez

Dr. Du Bois and Miss Ovington by Clare Coss – Robey Theatre Company – Directed by Ben Guillory

Ben Guillory

Melanie Cruz

The Awful Grace of God by Michael Harney – The Other Space – Directed by Mark Kemble

Tim DeZarn – Surrender

Janine Venable – Surrender

Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire – The Lounge Theatre – Directed by Eric Hunnicutt

Jordana Oberman

Toni Christopher

Michael Yurchak

Darcy Shean

Rocky Collins

The Foreigner by Larry Shue – Miles Memorial Playhouse – Directed by Sarah Gurfield

Julianna Robinson

Mike Niedzwiechi

The Sweetheart Deal by Diane Rodriguez – Latino Theatre Company – Directed by Diane Rodriguez

Ruth Livier

Separate Tables by Terrance Rattigan – Theatre 40 – Directed byJules Aaron

Susan Priver

Michele Schultz

The Conduct of Life by María Irene Fornés – Hero Theatre – Directed by José Luis Valenzuela

Elisa Bocanegra

Nicky by Boni B. Alvarez – Coeurage Theatre Company – Directed by Beth Lopes

Ted Barton

Love is A Dirty Word by Giovanni Adams Vs. Theatre – Directed by Becca Wolff

Giovanni Adams 

Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez – Mark Taper Forum – Directed by LuisValdez

Brain Abraham

Matias Ponce

Demian Bircher

Daniel Valdez

Stephanie Candelaria

Emilie:  La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson – Greenway Court – directed by Julianne Donelle

Kiri Lee Cartwright

Kim Reed

Blackbird by David Harrower – Met Theatre –Directed by Don Bloomfield

Michael Conners

Cali Fleming

Frida Stroke of Passion Odalys Nanin – Macha Theatre – Directed by Odalys Nanin and Co-Director Nancy De Los Santos-Reza

David Lavid

Ebony Perry

Marilyn Sanabria

Exit Strategy by Ike Holter – The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural ArtsCenter –Directed by Deena Selenow

Adam Silver

Darrett Sanders

R. Remy Ortiz

The Dreamer Examines His Pillow by John Patrick Shanley – Directed by Mark Blanchard

Sal Landi

Scott Thompson

The Daughters of the Kush by George Corbin – Stellar Adler Theatre – Directed by Veronica Thompson

Allisa Murray

Mack Miles

En Enemy of the Pueblo by Josefina López – Casa 0101 – Directed by Corky Dominguez

Zilah Mendoza

Sherlock Homes and the Case of the Jersey Lily by Katie Forgette – Theatre 40 – Directed by Jules Aaron

Melissa Collins

Rules of Seconds by John Pollono – Latino Theatre Company – Directed by Jo Bonney

Joshua Bitton

Ron Bottitta

Amy Brenneman

Leandro Cano

Fedor Chin

Matthew Elkins

Jamie Harris

Josh Helman

Damu Malik

Jen Pollono

Beauty and the Beast – Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Aahman and Tim Rice – Casa 0101 – Directed by Rigo Tejeda

Jeremy Saje

Caleb Green

Allison Flanagan

Rosa Navarrete

Hamilton – Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda – Inspired by the book Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Mathenee Treco

Rubén J. Carbajal

Amber Iman

Rory O’Malley

Ryan Vasquez

Jordan Donica

Isaiah Johnson

The Little Mermaid – Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Book by Dough Wright - Directed by Dolores Aguanno

Sophia Martin-Straw as Ursula

Directors:

Tony Gatto - The Motherfu*cker with the Hat

Howard Teichman – Fugu

Eric Hunnicutt – The Cruise

José Luis Valenzuela – The Conduct of Life

Jo Bonney – Rules of Seconds

Becca Wolff – Lover is a Dirty Word

Luis Valdez – Zoot Suit

Thomas Kail – Hamilton

The Ortiz Award 2017 is given to the play that showcases an outstanding presentation of diversity and art in a theatrical presentation.  This award is named in honor of Vilma Ortiz, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at UCLA and a champion of diversity in the arts and in her academic field of study. This year there are three recipients.

Hamilton – The Pantages

Zoot Suit – The Mark Taper Forum

Enemy of the Pueblo – Casa 0101