Articulations
Payne Pleasures 1998
By Robert Faires, Fri., Aug. 21, 1998
A total of 46 productions from 25 companies earned nominations in 23 categories covering musicals, non-musical plays, and productions for children. Leading the nominations was the Austin Musical Theatre production of Annie (12 nominations, including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical and Outstanding Choreography for the team of Scott Thompson and Richard Byron, and acting nods for six members of the cast, including young Kerry Holden-David as the carrot-topped orphan of the title), with the Zachary Scott Theatre Center production of Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches scoring 11 nominations, including Outstanding Play, Outstanding Director of a Play for Dave Steakley, and recognition for six of the show's actors). Earning nine nominations apiece were the VORTEX Repertory Company production of Triskelion (nominated for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Director of a Musical for Bonnie Cullum) and the AMT production of West Side Story (nominated for Outstanding Musical, with more nods to Byron and Thompson for their direction and choreography). Leading the way among productions for children was the Second Youth Repertory Family Theatre production of The King Stag with six nominations (including Outstanding Production of a Play for Children and nods to Susan Dillard for both Outstanding Director of a Play for Children and Outstanding Original Script). Ballots are mailed to the organization's members, who will vote for their favorites, and the production awards, as well as special awards for service to and support of Austin theatre, will be presented during a ceremony at The Austin Club, Monday, September 14. For more information, call 499-8388.
Getting Seen
Speaking of those Broadway babies, Byron and Thompson, they earned more bouquets this week than the ones bestowed by the Payne Awards Nominating Committee. Some sweet-smelling praise was lobbed their way by that show biz bible, Variety. In the August 10 issue, reviewer Dennis Harveylauded the production of Dames at Sea that they recently staged for Charles Duggan's Marines Memorial Theater in San Francisco, calling it "classy indeed, and a thorough delight." He goes on to say that Thompson "doesn't allow a millisecond's flab — every moment, musical or otherwise, ekes maximum cartoonish energy out of the material's wit." Sound like any show you've seen around here lately? Here's hoping Duggan can sail those dames down our way.
The Learning Curve
Artists' Legal & Accounting Assistancepresents "Now What Do I Do?" a seminar on the responsibilities of volunteer board members for nonprofits. J. Santford Duncan of Associated Consulting Services and Lois Jebo of The Nonprofit Center will discuss fiduciary responsibility, liability, fundraising, and more. This seminar takes place Saturday, August 22, 10am-noon, at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. For info, call 407-8980.
Send performing and visual arts news to: "Articulations," PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765 or onstage@auschron.com
