Gilliam, Reisman Win AUDELCO Awards

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