2014 Lucille Lortel Awards – Where Off Broadway Shines

 

NY Theater by Sandi Durell

 

Awards! Awards! Awards! Tis the season to give and get those little statues. And so the off Broadway community celebrated its 29^th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards at Skirball Center NYU on May 4^th cheered on by the Broadway community who were major presenters. Hosted by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman (currently off Broadway in The New Group production at the Acorn Theatre in “Annapurna”), the charming married duo brought in the laughs as they introduced the presenters of the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The big winners of the night in many categories were “Here Lies Love” and “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” followed closely by “Fun Home.”

 

The evening included musical presentations, live and on screen, and a memoriam performed by Jonatha Brooke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Testa! Mary Testa! Mary Testa! had her name mentioned at least 6-7 times (which pleased her immensely) by Megan Mullally adding a lot of laughs pre Mary’s performance of “Sometimes it Snows In April” from her new CD Have Faith. And there were many moments of mirth as Mullally and Offerman showed how well they can play together on stage throughout the evening.

Presenters included Uzo Aduba, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed, Nick Cordero and Anika Noni Rose, Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale, Joe Carroll and Carly Rae Jepsen, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Brian J. Smith, Andy Karl and Laura Osnes, Sophie Okonedo, Billy Magnussen, Amanda Peet, Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe, Nikki M. James and Vincent Piazza, America Ferrera and Shuler Hensley, Linda Lavin, Tracy Letts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Sarah Paulson, went to Robyn Goodman who has spent many years as a producer; the original cast of Avenue Q paying her a musical tribute. Ms. Goodman has produced 75 plays and musicals.

The Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee is Richard Nelson, presented by Corey Stoll.

Below is a list of the Awards and Winners:

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Lucas Steele (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical: Judy Kuhn (Fun Home)

Outstanding Sound Design: M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer (Here Lies Love)

Outstanding Scenic Design: Mimi Lien (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet 1812)

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Lisa Kron (Good Person of Szechwan)

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: Jeremy Shamos (Dinner With Friends)

Outstanding Lighting Design: Justin Townsend (Here Lies Love)

Outstanding Costume Design: A tie! Clint Ramos (Here Lies Love) and Paloma Young (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Ruthie Ann Miles (Here Lies Love)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Michael Cerveris (Fun Home)

Outstanding Solo Show: Buyer & Cellar (Michael Urie, performer/Jonathan Tolins, author)

Outstanding Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh (Kung Fu)

Outstanding Director: Alex Timbers (Here Lies Love)

Outstanding Revival: Good Person of Szechwan

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Tracee Chimo (Bad Jews)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Steven Boyer (Hand to God)

Outstanding Musical: Fun Home (Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron based on book by Alison Bechdel)

Outstanding Play: The Open House (Will Eno)

 

And a good night was had by all!

Photos/Video: Magda Katz