Theatre critics honour local productions
The Canadian musical Come From Away and a new production of the South African classic “Master Harold” . . . and the Boys are the big winners in this year’s Toronto Theatre Critics Awards. Come From Away swept major awards in the musical categories including Best Director ( Christopher Ashley), Best New Musical and Best Production of a Musical.
Obsidian Theatre and the Shaw Festival’s co-production of Master Harold, Athol Fugard’s 1982 drama, took Best Actor in a Play ( André Sills), Best Supporting Actor in a Play ( James Daly) and Best Director of a Play ( Philip Akin).
In a great year for Obsidian, its coproduction with the Musical Stage Company of Passing Strange picked up Best Actor in a Musical ( Beau Dixon) and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical ( Vanessa Sears).
Norah Sadava and Amy Nostbakken won Best Canadian Play for Mouthpiece.
The Company Theatre’s production of John by American playwright Annie Baker won Best Supporting Actress in a Play ( Nora McLellan) and Best International Play. It tied for Best Production of a Play with Robert Lepage’s 887. Lepage’s solo show also took the prize for Best Design. Dawn Jani Birley was named Best Actress in a Play for her bravura turn in Why Not Theatre’s Prince Hamlet. Dan Chameroy picked up Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Matilda the Musical and Patricia Cano was named Best Actress in a Musical for Tomson Highway’s The (Post) Mistress.
Late NOW magazine theatre writer Jon Kaplan will be honoured with a special citation at this year’s awards ceremony, to be held June 19. Karen Fricker