2019 Awards
[Feb. 10, 2020] — The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is pleased to announce the winners of its 2019 Craig Noel Awards. Now in its 18th year, the Craig Noel Awards honor the achievements of professional theaters in San Diego County.
This year’s 29 awards were presented before an audience of nearly 500 guests at the annual ceremony on Feb. 10, 2020, at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego.
La Jolla Playhouse’s “Cambodian Rock Band” won the year’s Outstanding Dramatic Production award, while The Old Globe’s “Almost Famous” won the award for Outstanding New Musical. Moonlight Stage Production’s “West Side Story” is the year’s Outstanding Resident Musical. And playwright Miranda Rose Hall’s “The Hour of Great Mercy” was named Outstanding New Play in its world premiere at Diversionary Theatre.
Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company was singled out for the annual Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Small Theater Company for its body of work in 2019.
The rarely-presented Director of the Year honor went to Rob Lutfy, who helmed four strong productions in 2019 at Cygnet Theatre, where he serves as associate artistic director.
The 2019 Actors of the Year are Cashae Monya and Michael Cusimano, who both performed impressively in four or more productions last year.
The year’s Outstanding Ensemble award went to the cast of Cygnet Theatre’s “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2: Connor Sullivan, Wil Bethmann, Alex Bodine, Rosina Reynolds, James Newcomb, Rachael VanWormer, Kevane La’Marr Coleman and Debra Wanger. And the year’s Outstanding Solo Performance award went to Ryun Yu, who starred in “Hold these Truths” at San Diego Repertory Theatre.
The first-ever Outstanding Specialty Artist award went to dialect and accent coach Vanessa Dinning who worked on eight productions at six San Diego theaters in 2019. And the year’s Outstanding Young Artist is 12-year-old Catalina Zelles.
This was the first year the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented non-gender-specific awards in all of its performance categories.
The 2019 awardees were chosen by a nine-member body of professional critics who write for San Diego newspapers, magazines, online publications and blogs.
The 2019 Craig Noel Award recipients are:
Outstanding Dramatic Production
“Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding New Musical
“Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Resident Musical
“West Side Story,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding New Play
“The Hour of Great Mercy” by Miranda Rose Hall, Diversionary Theatre
Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Work by a Small Theater Company
Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Outstanding Director of the Year
Rob Lutfy (“The Virgin Trial,” “The Last Five Years,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Marie and Rosetta”)
Actor of the Year
• Michael Cusimano (“Girlfriend,” “The Last Five Years,” “A Jewel in the Crown City,” “Lamb’s Players Festival of Christmas,” “The Tale of Despereaux”-swing)
• Cashae Monya (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Intimate Apparel,” “A Jewel in the Crown City,” “Little Shop of Horrors”)
Outstanding Young Artist/Sandra Ellis-Troy Scholarship
Catalina Zelles – “Gabriel,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Specialty Artist
Vanessa Dinning (dialects/accents/musical performance)
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Chay Yew – “Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Barry Edelstein – “Life After” – The Old Globe
Outstanding Musical Direction
Bryan Perri – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Choreography
Colleen Kollar Smith – “Matilda the Musical,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Scenic Design
Tony Cucuzzella – “An Experiment with an Air Pump,” Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Outstanding Sound Design
Steven Leffue – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Elisa Benzoni – “Amadeus,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
Japhy Weideman – “Life After” – The Old Globe
Outstanding Projection Design
Blake McCarty – “ 33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble
“Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Solo Performance
Ryun Yu – “Hold These Truths,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
• Tamara McMillian – “Intimate Apparel,” New Village Arts
• Andrew Oswald – “The Hour of Great Mercy,” Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
• Jessica John – “An Experiment with an Air Pump,” Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
• Daisuke Tsuji – “Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
• Sophie Hearn – “Life After” – The Old Globe
• Jeremy Wilson – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
• Courtney Arango – “West Side Story,” Moonlight Stage Productions
• Charles Evans, Jr. – “Million Dollar Quartet,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
This year’s awards ceremony was organized by event chair Julie Sarno. Financial support was provided by individual donors Larry and Dawn Alldredge; Lon and Denise Bevers; Stanley Cohen; Jay and Julie Sarno; Bill and Judy Garrett; Harvey and Sheryl White; Dea and Osborn Hurston; Weston Anson; Wendy Nash; Jerry Buckley; Nancy Richards; Ralph Johnson; Arthur and Marilyn Neumann; and Darlene Davies. The event was also underwritten by sponsors: the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation; UC San Diego and Mike Napoli & Performing Arts Live.
HERE ARE THE 2019 CRAIG NOEL AWARD NOMINEES:
PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES:
Outstanding Ensemble
“Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
“Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
“Gabriel,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
“Handbagged,” Moxie Theatre
“The Hour of Great Mercy,” Diversionary Theatre
“Sweat,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Tony Amendola – “Amadeus,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Richard Baird – “American Buffalo,” Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Alex Bodine – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Teri Brown – “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” OnStage Playhouse
Sandy Campbell – “Handbagged,” Moxie Theatre
Morgan Hallett – “They Promised Her the Moon,” The Old Globe
Jason Heil – “Sweat,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Olivia Hodson – “The Virgin Trial,” Cygnet Theatre
Tamara McMillian – “Intimate Apparel,” New Village Arts Theatre
Joe Ngo – “Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Andrew Oswald – “The Hour of Great Mercy,” Diversionary Theatre
Sandra Ruiz – “Venus in Fur,” OnStage Playhouse
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Roxane Carrasco – “Bad Hombres/Good Wives,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Rafael Goldstein – “Amadeus,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Jessica John – “An Experiment with an Air Pump,” Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Max Macke – “Handbagged,” Moxie Theatre
Cashae Monya – “Intimate Apparel,” New Village Arts
James Newcomb – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Rosina Reynolds – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Tom Stephenson – “The Hour of Great Mercy,” Diversionary Theatre
Daisuke Tsuji – “Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Rachael VanWormer – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Michael Louis Cusimano – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre
Colin Donnell – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Bella Gil – “West Side Story,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Sophie Hearn – “Life After,” The Old Globe
Casey Likes – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Cashae Monya – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre
Solea Pfeiffer – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Shaun Tuazon – “Girlfriend,” Diversionary Theatre
Racquel Williams – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre
Jeremy Wilson – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
Courtney Arango – “West Side Story,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Sarah Errington – “Sister Act,” San Diego Musical Theatre
Charles Evans, Jr. – “Million Dollar Quartet,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Drew Gehling – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Kevin Hafso-Koppman – “Matilda the Musical,” Moonlight Stage Productions
Anika Larsen – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Judy Kaye – “Diana,” La Jolla Playhouse
Aviva Pressman – “33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Lance Arthur Smith – “Million Dollar Quartet,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Ben Van Diepen – “Million Dollar Quartet,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Outstanding Solo Performance
Wil Bethmann – “The Santaland Diaries,” Diversionary Theatre
Hershey Felder – “Hershey Felder, Beethoven,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Robin LaValley – “Becoming Dr. Ruth,” Broadway Vista
Sean Yael Cox – “The Thousandth Night,” Intrepid Theatre
Ryun Yu – “Hold These Truths,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
DIRECTORIAL CATEGORIES:
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Richard Baird – “Amadeus,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Rob Lutfy – “The Virgin Trial,” Cygnet Theatre
Sean Murray – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Rosina Reynolds – “The Hour of Great Mercy,” Diversionary Theatre
Rosina Reynolds – “American Buffalo,” Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Chay Yew – “Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Barry Edelstein – “Life After,” The Old Globe
Jeremy Herrin – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Rob Lutfy – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre
Matt M. Morrow – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre
Javier Velasco – “33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction
Steve Gunderson – “33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Patrick Marion – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre
Matt MacNelly – “Cambodian Rock Band,” La Jolla Playhouse
Bryan Perri – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Ben Van Diepen – “Million Dollar Quartet,” Lamb’s Players Theatre
Outstanding Choreography
Jill Gorrie – “A Christmas Story The Musical,” San Diego Musical Theatre
Jill Gorrie – “Crazy For You,” San Diego Musical Theatre
Luke Harvey Jacobs – “Sister Act,” San Diego Musical Theatre
Colleen Kollar Smith – “Matilda the Musical,” Moonlight Stage Productions
TECHNICAL CATEGORIES:
Outstanding Scenic Design
Tony Cucuzzella – “An Experiment with an Air Pump,” Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company
Christopher Scott Murillo – “Intimate Apparel,” New Village Arts
Tobin Ost – “As You Like It,” The Old Globe
Neil Patel – “Life After” – The Old Globe
Jason Sherwood – “The Tale of Despereaux,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Sound Design
Melanie Chen Cole – “Pride and Prejudice,” Cygnet Theatre
Peter Hylenski – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Steven Leffue – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Matt Lescault–Wood – “33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Matt Lescault–Wood – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Elisa Benzoni – “Amadeus,” North Coast Repertory Theatre
Jennifer Brawn Gittings – “33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
William Ivey Long – “Diana,” La Jolla Playhouse
Veronica Murphy – “The Virgin Trial,” Cygnet Theatre
Anita Yavich – “The Tale of Despereaux,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Lighting Design
Natasha Katz – “Almost Famous,” The Old Globe
Anne E. McMills – “The Last Five Years,” Cygnet Theatre
Chris Rynne – “Angels in America,” Parts 1 & 2, Cygnet Theatre
Cat Tate Starmer – “They Promised Her the Moon,” The Old Globe
Japhy Weideman – “Life After,” The Old Globe
Outstanding Projection Design
Christopher Ash – “Hershey Felder Beethoven,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Blake McCarty – “Rock of Ages,” Cygnet Theatre
Blake McCarty – “33 1/3 House of Dreams,” San Diego Repertory Theatre
Sven Ortel – “Life After,” The Old Globe
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES:
Outstanding Resident Musical
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” – Diversionary Theatre
“Life After” – The Old Globe
“The Last Five Years” – Cygnet Theatre
“Million Dollar Quartet” – Lamb’s Players Theatre
“West Side Story” – Moonlight Stage Productions
Outstanding Dramatic Production
“Angels in America,” Parts 1 and 2 – Cygnet Theatre
“Cambodian Rock Band” – La Jolla Playhouse
“The Hour of Great Mercy” – Diversionary Theatre
“Intimate Apparel” – New Village Arts Theatre
“Sweat” – San Diego Repertory Theatre
“The Virgin Trial” – Cygnet Theatre
Outstanding New Play
“Bad Hombres/Good Wives” by Herbert Siguenza – San Diego Repertory Theatre
“The Coast Starlight” by Keith Bunin – La Jolla Playhouse
“The Hour of Great Mercy” by Miranda Rose Hall – Diversionary Theatre
“How High the Moon” by Mike Sears – La Jolla Playhouse WOW Festival
“The Luckiest” by Melissa Ross – La Jolla Playhouse
Outstanding New Musical
“Almost Famous” – The Old Globe
“Diana” – La Jolla Playhouse
“The Tale of Despereaux” – The Old Globe
“33 1/3 House of Dreams” – San Diego Repertory Theatre
SPECIAL CATEGORIES: Winners will be announced from the stage
- Don Braunagel Award for Outstanding Work by a Small Theater Company
- Outstanding Director of the Year
- Actors of the Year
- Outstanding Young Artist/Sandra Ellis–Troy Scholarship
- Outstanding Specialty Artist
Founded in 1983 and re-established in 2002, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is an independent, nonprofit organization of print and online theater critics dedicated to open and honest dialogue about theater in San Diego County and to honoring artistic excellence. The members of our organization are professional critics writing for daily newspapers, magazines, entertainment trade publications and websites in San Diego County. In 2002, the awards were renamed in honor of Craig Noel, longtime artistic director at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and the founding father of San Diego’s theater community, who passed away in 2010.