A Pearl shone brightly for the third annual Black Theatre Alliance Awards -- Pearl Cleage, that is, whose Flyin' West (at Onyx Theatre) took top honors for overall production of a play. Held at the DuSable Museum Of African-American History, Sept. 15, the Awards ceremony honors black achievement in Chicago-area theatre. Illinois actor Darryl Alan Reed hosted the Awards, which also bestowed a special honor on Goodman Theatre artistic associate, Chuck Smith. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, here are major winners of the Awards:
Production: Flyin' West by Pearl Cleage, Onyx Theatre.
Production (musical): This Far By Faith, ETA Creative Arts Foundation.
Original Writing: The Death Of The Black Jesus, Chicago Theatre Company.
Adapted Writing: The Otis Redding Story, Black Ensemble Theatre.
Direction: Chuck Smith, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Goodman Theatre.
Direction (musical): Jackie Taylor, The Otis Redding Story, Black Ensemble Theatre.
Ensemble Acting: Transformations, Goodman Theatre.
Leading Actress: Ora Jones, Seeking The Genesis, Goodman Studio
Leading Actress (musical): Somotta McKeever, The Divine One (A Sarah Vaughan Revue).
Leading Actor (musical): Vince Harris, The Otis Redding Story, Black Ensemble Theatre.
Featured Actor: Tim Edward Rhoze, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
Featured Actress:
Actor In Ensemble:
Actress In Ensemble: Greta Oglesby,
Do Lord Remember Me, Chicago Theatre Ensemble.
Visiting Actor: Darrian Ford,
Smokey Joe's Cafe.
Visiting Actress: Jasmine Guy,
Chicago.
Choreography:
The Otis Redding Story, Black Ensemble Theatre.
Costumes: Vaune Blalock,
Rites & Rituals, Muntu Dance.
Sound: Corbiere Boyries,
Do Lord Remember Me, Chicago Theatre Ensemble.
Set: Tori Fong,
Flyin' West, Onyx Theatre
Musical Direction: Jimmy Tillman,
The Otis Redding Story, Black Ensemble Theatre.
Original Song: "No Time To Give Up," from
This Far By Faith, ETA Theatre.
--By David Lefkowitz
