LONG ISLAND ‘ENCORE’ THEATER AWARD WINNERS – 2015
Selected by Syndicated Reviewer, Jeb Ladouceur
As usual, Theatre Three and The Engeman dominated this year’s ‘Encore’ selections … with each of those superb organizations producing winners in four of the competition’s ten categories. The Gateway and Arena Players deservedly garnered the other two prizes. Repeat triumphs in this, the third successive year that ‘Encore’ certificates have been awarded, were Gina Milo and Jennifer Collester Tully. They had previously been selected in 2014 and 2013 respectively. Worthy of note are impressive standbys which add much to Long Island’s theater scene; notably, the world-class setting provided the Arena Players by the Vanderbilt Carriage House in Centerport, and Port Jefferson’s acclaimed tradition, ‘A Christmas Carol,’ staged by Theatre Three for 32 consecutive years. Along with the resplendent Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, they have become institutions hailed by theatergoers from near and far.
Best Play or Musical
‘A Chorus Line’
John W. Engeman Theater, Northport
For the third consecutive year, Northport’s Engeman Theater wins the top ‘Encore’ prize with a lavish musical. Choreography, Lighting, Costume, and Acting excellence combined to make ‘A Chorus Line’ the inevitable winner despite strong competition from a number of compelling productions.
Top Overall Show ‘A Chorus Line’
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Best Supporting Actress (play or musical)
Jennifer Collester Tully - (‘Oliver!’)
Theatre Three, Port Jefferson
This one was easy. Jen Tully is quite simply the Babe Ruth, The William Shakespeare, and the Amadeus Mozart of Long Island character actresses. Tully’s name on the marquee has come to guarantee sellouts, and she excels whether her roles require tenderness or gusto.
Jennifer Collester Tully in ‘Oliver’
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Best Actress (play or musical
Gina Milo - (The Producers’ )
John W. Engeman Theater, Northport
Gina followed-up her 2014 ‘Encore’ victory (supporting actress – ‘Plaza Suite’) with a madcap performance in Mel Brooks’ classic, ‘The Producers.’ Ms. Milo exercises complete command of the ‘come hither,’ ingénue roles that display her charms and talents.
Gina Milo
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Best Supporting Actor (play or musical)
James D. Schultz - (‘A Christmas Carol’)
Theatre Three, Port Jefferson
Any actor who can make an audience forget that Jeffrey Sanzel is on-stage, deserves all the accolades one can bestow on him. In ‘A Christmas Carol,’ the versatile Schultz seized the role of ‘The Ghost of Christmas Present’ and wrung every bit of drama and humor from it.
James D. Schultz
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Best Actor (play or musical)
Dean Schildkraut - (‘Othello’)
Arena Players
What a joy it was to watch Schildkraut interpret The Bard’s nefarious ‘Iago.’ He was understated when necessary, ostentatious when appropriate, and though he was on-stage for virtually the entire two hours of ‘Othello,’ we missed him during the few minutes he was gone.
Dean Schildkraut
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Best Scenic Design (play or musical)
Randall Parsons - (‘Sweeney Todd’)
Theatre Three, Port Jefferson
The multi-tiered set that ‘Sweeney Todd’ demands will severely test the capabilities and vision of the finest designer. This play is only as good as its launching pad … and the 2015 production of ‘Sweeney’ was one of the best ever, thanks largely to Randall Parsons’ innovative arrangement.
‘Sweeney Todd’
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Best Child Actor (boy or girl – play or musical)
Ethan Eisenberg - (‘Billy Elliot’)
Gateway Performing Arts Center, Patchogue
As little ‘Billy Elliot’s’ cross-dressing friend and classmate, Ethan Eisenberg stole the show with a sterling performance that combined, dancing, singing, and acting ability in equal measure. This rising star can do anything on stage that might be asked of him. Ethan thrilled his audience.
Ethan Eisenberg
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Best Costume Design (play or musical)
Ronald Green - (‘Don’t Dress for Dinner’)
Theatre Three, Port Jefferson
His winning farce is named ‘Don’t Dress for Dinner,’ and costume designer Ronald Green cleverly chose to take his cue from that title. He dressed everyone in the cast with austere apparel, except for the play’s glamorous leading lady … whom Green dolled- up to a fare-thee-well … with magnificent effect!
‘Don’t Dress for Dinner’
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Best Director (play or musical)
Igor Goldin - (‘West Side Story’)
John W. Engeman Theater, Northport
With his masterful interpretation of a play that can be boring, Engeman’s Igor Goldin was able to replace perennial ‘Encore’ winner, Jeffrey, Sanzel as the region’s top theatrical helmsman. Goldin’s cast and crew were near-perfect in their execution under his direction.
Igor Goldin directed Engeman’s ‘West Side Story’
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Best Newcomer (male or female – play or musical)
Meaghan Marie McInnes - (‘Miracle on 34th Street’)
John W. Engeman Theater, Northport
At 11, Meaghan McInnes is a superstar in the making. She’s got all the tools, and the audience for this year’s Engeman holiday spectacular was intrigued by her performance as Susan’ in ‘Miracle on 34th St..’ It’s hard to match Santa at Christmas, but Meaghan managed to do it.
Meaghan McInnes
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Noted critic, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eleven novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His latest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, probes the bizarre relationship between Harper Lee and Truman Capote, and poses the question: who really wrote ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’?