The Last Straw Awards 2015

-->

By Joe Straw

I remember shows for years.  Not every infinitesimal detail but the general outline of the show, what worked, what didn’t, the moments that made the audience gasp in surprise, or in horror.  But mostly I remember the moments that propelled the actors onto the stage, and those moments when actors proudly came off stage – supremely satisfied by what they had done.

Meeting an actor after a successful performance is extremely fulfilling and I wish there were many more meet-and-greets after shows.  Because, that’s what this business is all about, being seen. 

In any case, these are the actors, writers, and directors whose work I considered exceptional.

Actors:

Proof By David Auburn - Moth Theatre

Amanda Brooks - Catherine

Felicity Price – Claire

Hellman v. McCarthy by Brian Richard Mori – Theatre 40

Dick Cavett – himself

finding Nick by Nicholas Guest – Zephyr Theatre

Nicholas Guest – himself

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams – The Renegade Theatre

Wilson Better – Tom

The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side by Derek Ahonen – The Matrix

Patrick Scott Lewis – Donovan

The Woodsman by Steven Fechter – The Coeurage Theatre Company

Tim Cummings – Walter

Cesar Ramos – Carlos

Joey Nicole Thomas – Nikki

Light Sensitive by Jim Geoghan – The Moth

Preston Acuff – Tom

Sasha Kapustina – Edna

Ned Liebl – Lou

Oh My God by Anat Gov

Mike Burstyn – God

André & Dorine by Jose Dault and Garbine Iñsausti – Los Angeles Theatre Center

Jose Dault

Garbiñe Insausti

Edu Carcamo

This is a Man’s World by Sal Lopez – Los Angeles Theatre Center

Sal Lopez

The Misanthrope by Moliere – adapted by Tony Tanner

Kathy Bell Denton – Arsinoe

Little Red – Book by Anthony Aguilar & Oscar T. Basulto – Music by Quetzal Flores – Lyrics by Anthony Aguilar & Quetzal Flores – Casa 0101

Xolo Maridueña – Corky

Ray Steward-De La Fuenta – Don Coyote

King Dick by Christian Levatino – Gangbusters Theatre Company

Christian Levatino – E

Corryn Cummins – Dottie Stevens 

Richard III by William Shakespeare – The Eclectic Company Theatre

Jesse Merlin – Buckingham

David Pinion – George Duke of Clarence

Orphans by Lyle Kessler – Theatre of NOTE

Darrett Sanders – Harold

The Great Divide by Lyle Kessler – The Lillian

Mark McClain Wilson – Noah

Mojada A Medea in Los Angeles – a new adaptation by Luis Alfaro – Boston Court at The Getty Villa

Marlene Forte – Armida

VIVIS – Tita

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams – The Lonny Chapman Theatre

Madeline Fair – Margaret

Daniel Kaemon – Brick

Kyra Schwartz – Mae

No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre – Oh My Ribs! Theatre

Carolyn Hennesy – Inez

Boyle Height by Josefina López – Casa 0101

Javier Ronceros – Ruben

Karina Bustillos – Rosana

Nat Turner:  Following Faith by Paula Neiman – Theatre/Theater

Sade Moore – Nancy

Phrederic Semaj – Hark

Garbo’s Cuban Lover by Odalys Nanin – Macha Theatre

Clementine Heath – Garbo

57 Chevy by Cris Franco – Los Angeles Theatre Center

Ric Salinas – Cris, Jr.

Pain by Paul Coates – Caminito Theatre

Fred Fate – Various roles

Paul Coates - actor

Lisa Beezley – Charlotte

Writers:

Clean Start – writers Kathy Fischer & Josefina López

King Dick – writer Christian Levatino

In Love and Warcraft – writer Madhuri Shekar

Mojada A Medea in Los Angeles – writer Luis Alfaro

The Latina Christmas Special – writers by Maria Russell, Diana Yanez, and Sandra Valls

Pain – Writer Paul Coates

Directors:

John Markland – Proof by David Auburn

Jeremy Lelliott – The Woodsman By Steven Fechter

John Markland – Light Sensitive by Jim Geoghan

Christian Levatino – King Dick by Christian Levatino

Jessica Kubzansky – Mojada A Medea in Los Angeles by Luis Alfaro

L Flint Esquerra – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams

Edward Padilla – Boyle Heights by Josefina López

And the Ortiz Award 2015, representing diversity in a theatrical presentation goes to

Boyle Heights – Casa 0101

Thank you to the Los Angeles Theatre Community.