For all the folks who worried that the Tony Awards represent only a small segment of New York Theatre, another awards ceremony is likely to ease their pain a bit: the OOBRs, the annual awards given out by the Off-Off Broadway Review.

According to editor-publisher John Chatterton, OOB “is New York’s unknown theatrical treasure.” To honor this unsung niche of the stage, the publication (which reviews shows by companies that buy a subscription) sponsors its annual OOBR Awards, held this year June 27 at New York City’s Union Square Theatre.

This year's winners are:

American Hieroglyphics by Larry Myers for Theater for the New City
Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill by Kurt Weill and various lyricists, for Theatre 1010
Cowboys (a gay musical), book and Lyrics by Clint Jefferies, music by Paul L. Johnson, for Wings Theatre
The Devil’s Home Movies by Larry Myers, for The Common Basis Theatre and RWM Playwrights Lab
Ice in April written and directed by Frank Avellino, for Razor Productions/Sage Theatre Co.
Northanger Abbey adapted by Lynn Marie Macy, directed by David Scott, for Distilled Spirits Theatre
Pericles by William Shakespeare at Expanded Arts
Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery by Shay Youngblood for Vital Theatre Company
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare at Hawk and Handsaw Production Co.
A Tale of Two Cities adapted and directed by Will Pomerantz for The Culture Project
Urinetown! The Musical Music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann/ Book and lyrics by Greg Kotis

Every year, the OOBR Awards presents a Sustained Achievement Award to an individual artist or organization that has exemplified the OOB spirit in their work. This years recipient was The Gallery Players, a theatre company based in Brooklyn whose work has spanned over two decades. The ceremony also featured presentations from the past OOB theatre season. Performances included were: Urinetown! (The Musical), Parker, The Last Tea, Ice in April, and Berlin to Broadway.

For more information, visit www.oobr.com

-- by Ernio Hernandez