The design team for Blue, the play by Charles Randolph-Wright presented Off Broadway this summer by the Roundabout Theatre Company, swept the design categories at this year’s AUDELCO Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre. The winners were announced on November 19th.
James Leonard Joy (scenery), Debra Bauer (costumes), Michael Gilliam (lighting), and Kurt Eric Fischer (sound) designed Blue, a domestic comedy-drama about a southern matriarch (played by Phylicia Rashad) who rules over her family even as she is obsessed with her favorite recording artist. Gilliam shared his award with Jane Reisman, who won for the Off Broadway drama St. Lucy’s Eyes. Blue was also cited for direction, outstanding ensemble performance, and dramatic production of the year.
A complete list of nominees follows, with the winners listed in boldface:
DIRECTOR/MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Jamaica
Anthony Sloan, Oya
CHOREOGRAPHER
Hope Clark, A Prophet Among Them
Rajendra Ramoon Maharej, Jamaica
Obediah Wright, Oya
PLAYWRIGHT
Michael Bradford, Living in the Wind
Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog
John Henry Redwood, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
Bridgett A. Wimberly, Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Charles Randolph-Wright, Blue
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Al Freeman, Jr., Conflict of Interest
Nathan Hinton, Living in the Wind
Arnold Pinnix, Rhinoceros
Isaiah Whitlock, Jr., A Lesson Before Dying
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Yevette Ganier, Breath, Boom
Ellen Holly, Conflict of Interest
Keesha Sharp, Living in the Wind
Beatrice Winde, A Lesson Before Dying
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/FEMALE
Diane Dixon, Jamaica
Macheisha Ensley, Jamaica
Aixa Kendricks, Oya
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/MALE
Rodney Gilbert, Jamaica
Lloyd Goodman, Jamaica
Tobias Truvillan, Oya
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Mike Smith, Jamaica
Vanessa A. Wright, OYA
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
A Prophet Among Them
Blue
Dinner at Manse
Reality
Topdog/Underdog
SOLO PERFORMANCE (tie)
Stephanie Berry, Shaneequa Chronicles
Rubin Santiago Hudson, Lackawanna Blues
Will Power, The Gathering
Regina Taylor, Urban Zulu Mambo
MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Jamaica
Oya
LEAD ACTOR
Willis Burks II, Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Chad Coleman, Living in the Wind
Arthur French, The River Niger
Marcus Naylor, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
LEAD ACTRESS
Debbie Blackwell Cook, The River Niger
Ruby Dee, Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Sally Stewart, Living in the Wind
Elizabeth Vandike, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
DRAMATIC PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Blue
Living in the Wind
No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Topdog/Underdog
LIGHTING DESIGN (tie)
Jane Cox, A Lesson Before Dying
Michael Gilliam, Blue
Chad McAver, Living in the Wind
Jane Reisman , Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Ann G. Wrightson, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
SET DESIGN
Beowulf Borritt, Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Michael Brown, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
Troy Hourie, Rhinoceros
James Leonard Joy, Blue
Christopher Thomas, Native Son
COSTUME DESIGN
Debra Bauer, Blue
Marcel Christian, Jamaica
Christine Field, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
Kimberly Glennon, Hamlet
Helen L. Simmons, Living in the Wind
SOUND DESIGN
Paul Bolger, Wait Until Dark
Kurt Eric Fischer, Blue
Eileen Tague, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
Michael Wimberly, Saint Lucy’s Eyes
David D. Wright, Living in the Wind
DIRECTOR/DRAMATIC PRODUCTION
Billie Allen, Saint Lucy’s Eyes
Sheldon Epps, Blue
Israel Hicks, No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs
Reggie Life, Living in the Wind
George C. Wolfe, Topdog/Underdog