Dealer's Choice won best play & Tommy best musical in the 1997 Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, announced June 10. Dealer's Choice also took trophies for direction (David Esbjornson) and ensemble, while Tommy won for direction of a musical (Dom Ruggiero), and best actor (Charles Dillon), plus set, lighting and sound. The awards will be distributed June 23 at a 7:30 PM ceremony at Square One Theatre on Main St. in Stratford, CT. Now in their seventh year, the Connecticut Critics Circle Awards honor "outstanding contributions to Connecticut Theatre."

Here are the winners:
Outstanding Production of a Play: Dealer's Choice (Long Wharf Theatre).
Outstanding Production of a Musical: Tommy (Candlewood).
Outstanding Actress in a Play: Julie Harris, The Road To Mecca (Long Wharf).
Outstanding Actor in a Play: Ron Cephas Jones, Thunder Knocking On The Door (Yale Rep).
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Erin Dilly, Finian's Rainbow, Goodspeed Opera House.
Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Charles Dillon, Tommy.
Outstanding Director of a Play: David Esbjornson, Dealer's Choice (Long Wharf).
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Dom Ruggiero, Tommy (Candlewood).
Outstanding Choreography: Bob Durkin & Mitzi Hamilton, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (Candlewood).
Outstanding Technical Achievement/Set Design: Michael Boyer, Tommy (Candlewood).
Outstanding Technical Achievement/Lighting Design: Christopher J. Landy, Tommy (Candlewood).
Outstanding Technical Achievement/Costume Design: Catherine Zuber, Triumph Of Love.
Outstanding Technical Achievement/Sound Design: Mark Clark & Simon Mathews, Tommy (Candlewood).
Outstanding Ensemble Performance: Dealer's Choice (Long Wharf).
Tom Killen Memorial Award: Steve Karp, Stamford Theatre Works.
Lucille Lortel Debut Award: Joey Adams, Dare Not Speak Its Name (Seven Angels).

--By David Lefkowitz