Eastwick, Brewster Place, Meet John Doe, Cell Phone Among DC's Helen Hayes Nominees April 28

Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone, the musicals The Women of Brewster Place and The Witches of Eastwick, and Mary Beth Peil, Eric Schaeffer and Christopher Innvar are among Helen Hayes Award nominees this year.

Productions and theatre people nominated for the highest honor in the Washington, DC, theatre community were announced Feb. 25.

The awards recognize resident productions as well as visiting shows and artists (also known as "non-resident"). On the list of nominees, major DC theatre names such as Nancy Robinette, Molly Smith, Will Gartshore, Rick Foucheux and Howard Shalwitz commingle with New York players including Innvar, Peil, Marc Kudisch, Bill Irwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Cherry Jones, Tim Jerome and Carolee Carmello (though some of these non-resident folk may, in fact, be appearing in "resident" productions.)

Proving DC is a hotbed for new work, six productions were nominated for the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical. The category includes Ford's Theatre's production of the new musical Meet John Doe by Matt August, Eddie Sugarman and Andrew Gerle, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's world premiere of Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone, a separate production of which is currently playing Off-Broadway. The category also boasts Redshirts by Dana Yeaton (Round House Theatre), The Word Begins by Steve Connell and Sekou (tha Misfit) (Signature Theatre), Moises Kaufman's 33 Variations (Arena Stage) and Motti Lerner's Pangs of the Messiah (Theater J). Among titles nominated for Outstanding Non-Resident Production are the tours of Avenue Q, Doubt, A Parable, Emergence-See!, My Fair Lady and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

In anticipation of the 24th Helen Hayes Awards on April 28, four special awards were announced April 11.

The 2008 special Helen Hayes awards and recipients are:

The Helen Hayes Tribute, presented to preeminent British classical actor and director Sir Derek Jacobi in recognition of his illustrious career on stage and screen for more than 50 years. The Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production was given to Jacobi in 1985 for Cyrano de Bergerac and again in 1988 for Breaking the Code. The Helen Hayes Tribute is sponsored by Washington philanthropists Gilbert and Jaylee Mead "to honor outstanding professionals who have enriched our lives and made a profound and lasting contribution to the theatre."

The Washington Post Award for Innovative Leadership in the Theatre Community, presented to the alliance of Arena Stage, the Crystal City BID, Vornado/Charles E. Smith, Marriott and Arlington County Economic Development. "While undergoing major renovations, Arena Stage, Washington's largest not-for-profit producing theatre, has temporarily moved to Crystal City in Arlington County, VA. This was only possible thanks to the arts, businesses, and community working together to create a vibrant urban destination." The Washington Post Award is meant "to honor individuals and organizations leading the way in fostering Washington theatre."

The first John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company, to Taffety Punk Theatre Company. Since their debut in 2004, Taffety Punk has "impressed Washington audiences with their unwavering commitment to establish a dynamic ensemble of actors, dancers, and musicians who ignite a public passion for theatre by making the classical and the contemporary exciting, meaningful, and affordable." Established "in memory of John Aniello, a devoted champion of young, promising talent and an avid theatregoer since 1960…The John Aniello Award recognizes and encourages the efforts of companies who are just getting started yet have produced a body of work that is new, daring, and exciting."

The Governor's Award, to Bob Davis and Henry Schalizki in recognition of their long-time roles as dedicated audience members for almost 50 years. "In that time, they have rarely missed an opening night and have been cheering on Washington theatre each in their own way — Bob through his loved WGMS-FM broadcasts which ended with his signature send-off, 'See it!,' and Henry as a passionate theatregoer who encouraged others to attend and appreciate the work on the stage." This is only the third time the Governor's Award has been granted. The first went to Arena Stage founder Zelda Fichandler and the second to theatre critic Roger Meersman. The awards are named for the stage and screen star who was born in Washington, DC, and did her first acting there.

For more information visit www.helenhayes.org.

THE NOMINEES FOR THE 24TH ANNUAL HELEN HAYES AWARDS

Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production
Karma Camp, The Witches of Eastwick, Signature Theatre
Christopher D'Amboise, The Studio, Signature Theatre
Matthew Gardiner, Reefer Madness: The Musical, Studio Theatre 2ndStage
Eric Lucas and Kerry Lucas, Alone It Stands, The Keegan Theatre
Irina Tsikurishvili, Hamlet ... the rest is silence, Synetic Theater
Irina Tsikurishvili, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Irina Tsikurishvili, The Fall of the House of Usher, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production
Murell Horton, Edward II, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Jennifer Moeller, Tamburlaine, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Reggie Ray, Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, Studio Theatre
Anastasia Ryurikov Simes, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Paul Tazewell, Carnival!, The Kennedy Center

Outstanding Director, Resident Musical
Keith Alan Baker, Reefer Madness: The Musical, Studio Theatre 2ndStage
Lawrence B. Munsey, Titanic The Musical, Toby's Dinner Theatre
Toby Orenstein, Titanic The Musical, Toby's Dinner Theatre
Eric Schaeffer, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre Eric Schaeffer, The Witches of Eastwick, Signature Theatre
Molly Smith, The Women of Brewster Place, Arena Stage

Outstanding Director, Resident Play
Timothy Douglas, Insurrection: Holding History, Theater Alliance
Pam MacKinnon, The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Serge Seiden, Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, Studio Theatre
Shirley Serotsky, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, Rorschach Theatre
Howard Shalwitz, She Stoops to Comedy, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Rebecca Bayla Taichman, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Rebecca Bayla Taichman, The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Paata Tsikurishvili, Hamlet ... the rest is silence, Synetic Theater
Paata Tsikurishvili, Macbeth, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production
Daniel Beaty, Emergence-See!, Arena Stage
Christopher Cazenove, My Fair Lady, Kennedy Center
Bill Irwin, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Kennedy Center
Robert McClure, Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical, National Theatre
Chris McGarry, Doubt, A Parable, National Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical
Will Gartshore, Merrily We Roll Along, Signature Theatre
Marc Kudisch, The Witches of Eastwick, Signature Theatre
Lawrence Redmond, Reefer Madness: The Musical, Studio Theatre 2ndStage
Bobby Smith, Reefer Madness: The Musical, Studio Theatre 2ndStage
Bobby Smith, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), MetroStage
Andrew Sonntag, Reefer Madness: The Musical, Studio Theatre 2ndStage

Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play
James Brown-Orleans, My Children! My Africa!, Studio Theatre
Arnie Burton, I Am My Own Wife, Olney Theatre Center
Edward Gero, Shining City, Studio Theatre
Charles H. Hyman, The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Christopher Innvar, The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Irakli Kavsadze, Macbeth, Synetic Theater Michael Russotto, She Stoops to Comedy, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
J. Fred Shiffman, Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, Studio Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production
Cherry Jones, Doubt, A Parable, National Theatre
Karen Kandel, Mabou Mines' Peter and Wendy, Arena Stage
Lisa O'Hare, My Fair Lady, Kennedy Center
Kelli Sawyer, Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical, National Theatre
Janet Suzman, Coriolanus, Kennedy Center

Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical
Heidi Blickenstaff, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre
Carolee Carmello, Saving Aimee, Signature Theatre
Jessica Dukes, Spunk, Tribute Productions and African Continuum Theatre Company
Tina Fabrique, Ella, Arena Stage
Harriett D. Foy, The Women of Brewster Place, Arena Stage
Marva Hicks, The Women of Brewster Place, Arena Stage
Donna Migliaccio, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), MetroStage

Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play
Gabriela Fernandez Coffey, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, Rorschach Theatre
Naomi Jacobson, Vigils, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Polly Noonan, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Mary Beth Peil, 33 Variations, Arena Stage
Nancy Robinette, Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, Studio Theatre
Irina Tsikurishvili, Macbeth, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production
Colin K. Bills, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Colin K. Bills, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Colin K. Bills, The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
David Lander, 33 Variations, Arena Stage
Charlie Morrison, Richard III, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Rui Rita, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre

Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production
Jon Kalbfleisch, Merrily We Roll Along, Signature Theatre
Jon Kalbfleisch, The Witches of Eastwick, Signature Theatre
Dan Kazemi, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), MetroStage
William Foster McDaniel, The Women of Brewster Place, Arena Stage
Christopher Youstra, Titanic The Musical, Toby's Dinner Theatre

Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production
Marie Anne Chiment, I Am My Own Wife, Olney Theatre Center
James Kronzer, The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Derek McLane, 33 Variations, Arena Stage
Neil Patel, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Lee Savage, Richard III, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Anastasia Ryurikov Simes, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Narelle Sissons, The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Robin Stapley, Crime and Punishment, Round House Theatre

Outstanding Sound Design, Resident Production
Irakli Kavsadze, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Jeremy Lee, The Studio, Signature Theatre
Matthew M. Nielson, Nest, Signature Theatre
Matthew M. Nielson, The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Ryan Rumery, Vigils, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Gil Thompson, Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, Studio Theatre
Paata Tsikurishvili, Macbeth, Synetic Theater

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical
Michael Arnold, Carnival!, Kennedy Center
Christopher Bloch, Christmas Carol 1941, Arena Stage
Joel Blum, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre
Ed Dixon, Saving Aimee, Signature Theatre
Erik Liberman, Merrily We Roll Along, Signature Theatre
Guy Paul, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play
Daniel Escobar, She Stoops to Comedy, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Philip Fletcher, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Rick Foucheux, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Peter Macon, Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare Theatre Company
J. Fred Shiffman, Vigils, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Alexander Strain, Pangs of the Messiah, Theater J

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical
E. Faye Butler, Saving Aimee, Signature Theatre
Karlah Hamilton, The Witches of Eastwick, Signature Theatre
Monique L. Midgette, The Women of Brewster Place, Arena Stage
Tracy Lynn Olivera, Merrily We Roll Along, Signature Theatre
Lauren Williams, Into the Woods, Signature Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play
Naomi Jacobson, The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Susan Kellermann, 33 Variations, Arena Stage
Sarah Marshall, As You Like It, Folger Theatre
Kate Eastwood Norris, She Stoops to Comedy, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Salma Qarnain, Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Regina Marie Williams, Redshirts, Round House Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production
Justin Bohon, My Fair Lady, Kennedy Center
Caroline Stefanie Clay, Doubt, A Parable, National Theatre
Tim Jerome, My Fair Lady, Kennedy Center
Lisa Joyce, Doubt, A Parable, National Theatre
Timothy West, Coriolanus, Kennedy Center

The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical
Matt August, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre
Steve Connell, The Word Begins, Signature Theatre
Andrew Gerle, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre
Moises Kaufman, 33 Variations, Arena Stage
Motti Lerner, Pangs of the Messiah, Theater J
Sarah Ruhl, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Sekou (tha Misfit), The Word Begins, Signature Theatre
Eddie Sugarman, Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre
Dana Yeaton, Redshirts, Round House Theatre

Outstanding Non-Resident Production
Avenue Q, The Broadway Musical, The National Theatre
Doubt, A Parable, The National Theatre Emergence-See!, Arena Stage
My Fair Lady, The Kennedy Center
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Kennedy Center

Outstanding Resident Musical
Into the Woods, Signature Theatre
Meet John Doe, Ford's Theatre
Reefer Madness: The Musical, The Studio Theatre 2ndStage
The Witches of Eastwick, Signature Theatre
The Women of Brewster Place, Arena Stage
Titanic, The Musical, Toby's Dinner Theatre

Outstanding Resident Play
Dead Man's Cell Phone, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Hamlet … the rest is silence, Synetic Theater Macbeth, Synetic Theater
Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, The Studio Theatre
The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare Theatre Company
The Unmentionables, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
The Word Begins, Signature Theatre

The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play or Musical
Alone It Stands, The Keegan Theatre
Hamlet … the rest is silence, Synetic Theater
Insurrection: Holding History, Theater Alliance
Scenes from the Big Picture, Solas Nua
She Stoops to Comedy, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Vigils, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
The Word Begins, Signature Theatre

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