Springs Fine Arts Center and Peformance Now snag 5 a piece

As expected, the Denver Center Theatre Company cleaned up at this year’s Henry Awards, grabbing 13 wins — many for its production of the original musical Rattlesnake Kate. Meanwhile, some smaller companies like the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Performance Now and Buntport got several nods as other other power players like the Arvada Center, Aurora Fox and Miners Alley received only four between them. A few others that had strong seasons but came up dry at the Henry’s included Vintage Theatre, Benchmark, BDT Stage and Cherry Creek.

At the Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Awards event Monday night, held at the Arvada Center, one of the biggest surprises was for the tiny Performance Now Theatre Company, which got five wins out of 14 nominations — all for its production of The Drowsy Chaperone, directed by Kelly Van Oosbree and starring Vintage Theatre artistic director Bernie Cardell, who won for outstanding actor in a musical (Tier 2).

Read John Moore’s much more comprehensive roundup of this year’s Henry Awards in the Denver Gazette.

Also having a good night was the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, which won five Henry’s for its productions of Guadalupe in the Guest Room and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. Colorado favorite Buntport Theatre Company grabbed two acting Henry’s for Brian Colonna and Erin Rollman in its production of >3 Richard.

It was nice to see the Backstage Theatre, which has had several tumultuous years, win three for its production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. But it was alone in mountain-town theatres with any wins. Indeed, it was the only one outside the Denver-Colorado Springs metro area to grab a Henry this year.

And while Arvada Center was snubbed entirely for its fantastic rep season this summer, its production of Kinky Boots tied for outstanding production of a musical with the DCPA’s Rattlesnake Kate. Littleton’s Town Hall Arts Center, nominated for 10 awards, snagged but one for a youth performer (Evan Duncan) in Once on This Island.

 

 

Here’s the complete list of nominees and winners (winners in green):

 

Outstanding Production of a Play (Sorted by company name)

“The Liar,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Directed by Geoffrey Kent
“Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, Directed by James Bruenger-Arreguin
“In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company, Directed by Gregg T. Daniel “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company, Directed by Jamil Jude
“The Crucible,” Miners Alley Playhouse, Directed by Len Matheo “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Vintage Theatre, Directed by Bernie Cardell

Outstanding Production of a Musical (Sorted by company name) A TIE

“Kinky Boots,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Directed by Rod A. Lansberry, Musical Direction by Christopher D. Littlefield
“Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company, Directed by Chris Coleman, Musical Direction by Angela Steiner
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance now Theatre Company, Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree, Musical Direction by Eric Weinstein
“Rock of Ages,” Theatre Aspen, Directed by Hunter Foster, Musical Direction by Eric Alsford
“Once on This Island,” Town Hall Arts Center, Directed by Betty Hart, Musical Direction by Lee Ann Scherlong

Outstanding Direction of a Play

James Bruenger-Arreguin, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Bernie Cardell, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Vintage Theatre
Gregg T. Daniel, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Jamil Jude, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
Len Matheo, “The Crucible,” Miners Alley Playhouse

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Chris Coleman, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Joel Ferrell, “The Other Josh Cohen,” DCPA Cabaret
Betty Hart, “Once on This Island,” Town Hall Arts Center
Rod A. Lansberry, “Kinky Boots,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Bob Wells, “Little Shop of Horrors,” Town Hall Arts Center

Outstanding Musical Direction

Donna Debreceni, “Little Shop of Horrors,” Town Hall Arts Center
Mark G. Meadows, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
Lee Ann Scherlong, “Once on This Island,” Town Hall Arts Center
Angela Steiner, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Eric Weinstein, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company

Outstanding Actor in a Play Tier 1

Darron Hayes, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
Sammie Joe Kinnett, “Witch,” Theatreworks Colorado Springs
Jihad Milhem, “The Crucible,” Miners Alley Playhouse
Jon Hudson Odom, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” DCPA Theatre Company Colton Pratt, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College

Outstanding Actor in a Play Tier 2

David Austin-Groen, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” OpenStage Theatre & Company
Shane Delavan, “Ada and the Engine,” Firehouse Theater Company
Jacob Dresch, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Breckenridge Backstage Theatre
Sam Gilstrap, “Land of Milk and Honey,” The Catamounts
Damon Guerrasio, “Meteor Shower,” Benchmark Theatre Peter Trinh, “You Will Get Sick,” Benchmark Theatre

Outstanding Actress in a Play Tier 1

Anastasia Davidson, “The Crucible,” Miners Alley Playhouse
Lynnette R. Freeman, “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Kelly McAndrew, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” DCPA Theatre Company
Elise Santora, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Kelly Uhlenhopp, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Vintage Theatre

Outstanding Actress in a Play Tier 2

Amalia Adiv, “Ada and the Engine,” Firehouse Theater Company
Latifah Johnson, “Flyin’ West,” Firehouse Theater Company & 5280 Artist Coop
A. Lee Massaro, “Sisters In Law,” Theatre Or
Martha Harmon Pardee, “Ann,” Cherry Creek Theatre
Edith Weiss, “You Will Get Sick,” Benchmark Theatre

Outstanding Actor in a Musical Tier 1

Brett Ambler, “The Other Josh Cohen,” DCPA Cabaret
JP Coletta, “Million Dollar Quartet,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities David Kaverman, “Kinky Boots,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Nnamdi Nwankwo, “Once on This Island,” Town Hall Arts Center
Carter Edward Smith, “Little Shop of Horrors,” Town Hall Arts Center
Esteban Suero, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Actor in a Musical Tier 2

Brian Adams, “The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes” Forge Light Theatreworks
Bernie Cardell, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Chase Conlin, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sasquatch Productions
Ben Hilzer, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sasquatch Productions
Jesse McFarland, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” Steel City Theatre Company

Outstanding Actress in a Musical Tier 1

Giuliana Augello, “Rock of Ages,” Theatre Aspen
Leana Rae Concepcion, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Andrea Frierson, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Valerie Igoe, “The Other Josh Cohen,” DCPA Cabaret
Alyse Alan Louis, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Actress in a Musical Tier 2

Abigail Kochevar, “Lizzie,” Forge Light Theatreworks
Carolyn Lohr, “1776,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Emma Rebecca Maxfield, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Jennasea Pearce, “Lizzie,” Forge Light Theatreworks
Colby Reisinger, “Nunsense,” Performance Now Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play Tier 1

Topher Embrey, “The Liar,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Matthew Hancock, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Rick Long, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Vintage Theatre
Miguel Nuñez, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Levy Lee Simon, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company Peter Van Wagner, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
Kyle Ward, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play Tier 2

Brian Colonna, “<3 Richard,” Buntport Theater
Erik Edborg, “<3 Richard,” Buntport Theater
Seth Palmer Harris, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Breckenridge Backstage Theatre
Akolotu Moeloa, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” OpenStage Theatre & Company
Austin Lazek, “Jest a Second!,” Cherry Creek Theatre
Matt Radcliffe, “Life Sucks,” Springs Ensemble Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play Tier 1

Yvette Monique Clark, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Kristina Fountaine, “The Liar,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Lilli Hokama, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Rebecca Myers, “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Chavez Ravine, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play Tier 2

Shannon Altner, “Our American Cousin: a nation divided,” Benchmark Theatre
Jessica Emerling Crow, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” OpenStage Theatre & Company
Lauren Dennis, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Breckenridge Backstage Theatre
Melissa Hoffman, “Life Sucks,” Springs Ensemble Theatre
Erin Rollman, “<3 Richard,” Buntport Theater
Rachel Turner, “Jest a Second!,” Cherry Creek Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical Tier 1

Matthew Bryan Feld, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Isaac Huerta, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Ben Liebert, “Chicago,” Theatre Aspen
Charlie Schmidt, “Little Shop of Horrors,” Town Hall Arts Center
Aaron Vega, “The Other Josh Cohen,” DCPA Cabaret

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical Tier 2

Patrick Brownson, “The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes” Forge Light Theatreworks
Wes Munsil, “1776,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Jeffrey Parker, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Jeffrey Parker, “Tenderly, The Rosemary Clooney Musical,” Cherry Creek Theatre
Andy Sievers, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical Tier 1

Jada Simone Clark, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Jennifer DeDominici, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Neyla Pekarek, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Reagan Rees, “Rock of Ages,” Theatre Aspen
Megan Van De Hey, “Elf – The Musical,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical Tier 2

Nancy Evans Begley, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Jennifer DeDominici, “Carousel,” Central City Opera
Lindsey Kinney, “The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes” Forge Light Theatreworks
Lindsey Kinney, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sasquatch Productions
Colby Reisinger, “1776,” Performance Now Theatre Company

Outstanding Ensemble Performance (Sorted by company name)

“Kinky Boots,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
“The Liar,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
“Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
“Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
“In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Choreography

Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck, “Elf – The Musical,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck, “Kinky Boots,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Dominique Kelley, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Abbey O’Brien, “Rock of Ages,” Theatre Aspen
Christopher Page-Sanders, “Once on This Island,” Town Hall Arts Center

Outstanding New Play or Musical (Sorted by company name)

“You Will Get Sick,” by Noah Diaz, Directed by Christy Montour-Larson, Produced by Benchmark Theatre
“<3 Richard,” by Buntport Theater, Directed by Buntport Theater, Produced by Buntport Theater
“Fourteen Funerals,” by Eric Pfeffinger, Directed by Rebecca Remaly, Produced by Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado
“In the Upper Room,”, by Beaufield Berry, Directed by Gregg T. Daniel, Produced by DCPA Theatre Company
“Rattlesnake Kate,” by Neyla Pekarek and Karen Hartman, Directed by Chris Coleman, Produced by DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Costume Design Tier 1

Trevor Bowen, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
Angela Calin, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Kevin Copenhaver, “The Liar,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Meghan Anderson Doyle, “The Other Josh Cohen,” DCPA Cabaret
Azalea Fairley, “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
at Colorado College
Nicole Watts, “Kinky Boots,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

Outstanding Costume Design Tier 2

Rachel Finley, “Ada and the Engine,” Firehouse Theater Company
Rachel Finley, “Sisters In Law,” Theatre Or
Nikki Harrison, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Jessie Page, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sasquatch Productions
Rebecca Spafford, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” OpenStage
Theatre & Company

Outstanding Lighting Design Tier 1

Elizabeth Harper, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company
Charles R. MacLeod, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Charles R. MacLeod, “The Other Josh Cohen,” DCPA Cabaret
Nita Mendoza, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts
Center at Colorado College
Jeanette Yew, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company Company at Colorado
College


Outstanding Lighting Design Tier 2

Seth Allison, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sasquatch Productions
Riley Goossen, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Breckenridge Backstage
Theatre
Brett Maughan, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
Grant Putney, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” OpenStage
Theatre & Company
Steve Tangedal, “Sisters In Law,” Theatre Or

Outstanding Scenic Design Tier 1

Tony Cisek, “Choir Boy,” DCPA Theatre Company
Efren Delgadillo Jr., “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Tanya Orellana, “Guadalupe in the Guest Room,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts
Center at Colorado College
Lisa Orzolek, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” DCPA Theatre Company
Klara Zieglerova, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Scenic Design Tier 2

Andrew Bates, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Performance Now Theatre Company
James Brookman, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” OpenStage
Theatre & Company
Buntport Theater, “<3 Richard,” Buntport Theater
Kelsey Colwell, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Breckenridge
Backstage Theatre
Jay Louden and Jeffrey Jesmer, “Ada and the Engine,” Firehouse Theater
Company


Outstanding Sound Design Tier 1

Jason Ducat, “The Liar,” Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Jeff Gardner, “In the Upper Room,” DCPA Theatre Company
Gary Grundei, “The Crucible,” Miners Alley Playhouse
Jonathan Taylor, “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” Colorado Springs Fine Arts
Center at Colorado College
Ken Travis, “Rattlesnake Kate,” DCPA Theatre Company

Outstanding Sound Design Tier 2

Jason Ducat, “You Will Get Sick,” Benchmark Theatre
Riley Goossen, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Breckenridge Backstage
Theatre
Tanner Kelly, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sasquatch Productions
Rick Reid and Max Silverman, “Sisters In Law,” Theatre Or
Max Silverman, “Steel Magnolias,” Cherry Creek Theatre

Outstanding Youth Performer Two Awards

Rylee Armstrong, “Fun Home,” Steel City Theatre Company
Evan Duncan, “Once on This Island,” Town Hall Arts Center
Hazel Kachline, “Fiddler on the Roof,” Ovation West
Macaelle “Mac” Vasquez, “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology
Pageant,” Aurora Fox Arts Center
Nathaniel Waite–Lutz, “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology
Pageant,” Aurora Fox Arts Center

Watch the 2022 Henry Awards event: