The Betty Mitchell Awards are the Oscars of the theatre industry in Calgary.
Now in their 14th year, they recognize excellence in the industry. This theatre season, there were 57 eligible plays, of which eight were reviewed on getdown.ca
The Betty Mitchell Awards Nomination Commitee is an anonymous jury of twelve theatre professionals who select nominees in sixteen award categories from the eligible shows. The input is then tabulated and a list of nominees is then produced. The final ballots are then distributed to the same twelve member Nomination Committee and to anyone who has seen twenty five of the eligible productions.
Nomination were revealed this past Tuesday, announced by none other than the fabulous Julie Orton.
Catalyst and Vertigo Theatre’s (along with One Yellow Rabbit) Nevermore, the play bearing similarities in look and feel to Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd was a favourite for many, earning 6 nods. The categories included lighting design, costume design, choreography, musical direction, outstanding acting in a musical and outstanding production of a musical.
Vertigo Theatre’s play based on the Alfred Hitcock film 39 Steps and the play rendition of 12 Angry Men earned nominations as well, most notably in outstanding production of a play. Vertigo’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde earned nomination for both set design and sound design.
Theatre Calgary did not go without recognition, their Shakespeare entry of Much Ado About Nothing earning them a nomination in set design. Valerie Planche was also nominated for outstanding performance by an actress in a comedy for her work in Much Ado About Nothing. Graham Percy and Trevor Rueger were both nominated for outstanding performances by supporting actors for their work in the production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Margaret Atwood’s theatre rendition of the Penelopiad was well recognized. Alberta Theatre Projects earned seven nominations for the Penelopiad including lighting design, set design, sound design, choreography, musical direction and outstanding production. Jamie Konchak was nominated for outstanding performance by an actress in a supporting role and Vanessa Porteous was nominated for outstanding direction.
The nomination committee didn’t ignore the critically acclaimed work of Ghost River Theatre, who earned nominations for both Reverie and One in lighting design. One also scored nominations in sound design, direction and outstanding production of a play.
Ground Zero Theatre & Hit and Myth Productions were recognized for Kung Fu Panties and Reasons To Be Pretty. Both Jamie Konchak and Patrick MacEachern earned nominations in outstanding actor and actress categories. Reasons To Be Pretty also is in the running for outstanding production of a play and outstanding direction. Kung Fu Panties got the nod for outstanding new play and outstanding fight direction.
Terry Gunvordahl earned a nomination in outstanding set design for his work in Sage Theatre’s Girl In The Goldfish Bowl (his third nomination). Laura Parken and Adrienne Smook both received nominations for outstanding actresses in supporting roles for the same play. Kevin Rothery is a contender for outstanding actor in a supporting role for Girl In The Goldfish Bowl and Esther Purves Smith also earned a nomination for outstanding actress in a drama.
The ceremonies for the Betty Mitchell Awards will take place on August 8th.
A complete list of nominees is here
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