BWW 2018 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks)

Dear Readers, it has been one crazy year with some amazing theater. You know it's true. We've had dead teens riding a roller coaster, demonic puppets, and an ageless guy with a picture of himself in his attic. And, of course, a hip-hop founding father sweeping through town. But let's not talk about the juggernaut when we have such amazing things right here that blew us all away. At least they blew me away. So, let's talk about what blew me away this past year and what I have chosen to give my BWW 2018 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks) to (not to mention all those honorable mentions since often I can't limit myself to just one).

Best Choreography
Michele Lynch - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Crystal Dawn Munkers - HAIRSPRAY - Village Theatre
Jimmy Shields - LEGALLY BLONDE - Showtunes
Rachel Rockwell - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Best Costume Design
Alex Jaeger - HAIRSPRAY - Village Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Alejo Vietti - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre
Theresa Ham - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Best Lighting Design
Gregory Hofmann and Mike Tutaj - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Andrew D. Smith - THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - Book-It Repertory Theatre
Geoff Korf - RICHARD III - Seattle Shakespeare Company
Robert Wierzel - A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Seattle Rep
Tristan Roberson - EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH - Washington Ensemble Theatre

Best Scenic Design
Ken MacDonald - A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Seattle Rep

Honorable Mentions
Christopher Mumaw - HAND TO GOD - Seattle Public Theatre
James Noone - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre
Scott Davis - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre
Suzi Tucker - THE YEAR OF THE ROOSTER - MAP Theatre

Best Sound Design
Meghan Roche and Robertson Witmer - RICHARD III- Seattle Shakespeare Company

Honorable Mention
David Coulter - A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Seattle Rep

Best Musical Direction
Doug Peck - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Joel Fram - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre
Michael Alexander - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Reboot Theatre Company
Nathan Young - LEGALLY BLONDE - Showtunes
R.J. Tancioco - HAIRSPRAY - Village Theatre

Best Ensemble Cast Play or Musical
RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
HAND TO GOD - Seattle Public Theatre
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Reboot Theatre Company
IN THE HEIGHTS - Seattle Rep
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY- Book-It Repertory Theatre
PRELUDE TO A KISS - Strawberry Theatre Workshop
A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS - Seattle Public Theatre

Best Featured Performer in a Musical
Robyn Hurder - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Be Russell - LEGALLY BLONDE - Showtunes
Becca Orts - HAIRSPRAY - Village Theatre
Yassmin Alers - IN THE HEIGHTS - Seattle Rep

Best Featured Performer in a Play
Brandon J Simmons - A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY - The Williams Project

Honorable Mentions
Annette Toutonghi - IBSEN IN CHICAGO - Seattle Rep
Porscha Shaw - RICHARD III- Seattle Shakespeare Company
Sarah Harlett - FROST/NIXON - Strawberry Theatre Workshop

Best Leading Performer in a Musical
Kendra Kassebaum - MAMMA MIA - 5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Cayman Ilika - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre
Dani Hobbs - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Reboot Theatre Company
Emily Rohm - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre
Saxton Jay Walker - THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE - Showtunes

Best Leading Performer in a Play
Kiki Abba - EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH - Washington Ensemble Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Alexandra Tavares - IRONBOUND - Seattle Public Theatre
Ben Burris - HAND TO GOD - Seattle Public Theatre
Chip Sherman - THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY- Book-It Repertory Theatre
Denmo Ibrahim - A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Seattle Rep

Best Direction of Musical
Rachel Rockwell - RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Alan Paul - KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre
Faith Bennett Russell - LEGALLY BLONDE - Showtunes
Harry Turpin - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Reboot Theatre Company

Best Direction of Play (TIE)
Carey Perloff - A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Seattle Rep
and
Kelly Kitchens - HAND TO GOD - Seattle Public Theatre

Honorable Mentions
Greg Carter - PRELUDE TO A KISS - Strawberry Theatre Workshop
Maggie Rogers - EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH - Washington Ensemble Theatre
Victor Pappas - THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY- Book-It Repertory Theatre

Best NEW/ORIGINAL/ADAPTATION play/musical
David Grimm - IBSEN IN CHICAGO - Seattle Rep

Honorable Mention
Mark Siano, John Kranz, Jeff Schell and The Habit - A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS - Seattle Public Theater

Best Musical
RIDE THE CYCLONE - ACT/5th Avenue Theatre

Honorable Mentions
IN THE HEIGHTS - Seattle Rep
HAIRSPRAY - Village Theatre
KISS ME KATE - 5th Avenue Theatre
LEGALLY BLONDE - Showtunes
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Reboot Theatre Company

Best Play
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Seattle Rep

Honorable Mentions
EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH - Washington Ensemble Theatre
HAND TO GOD - Seattle Public Theatre
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY- Book-It Repertory Theatre
PRELUDE TO A KISS - Strawberry Theatre Workshop

Best Special Theatre Event
NEW VOICES 2018 - Contemporary Classics

Theatre of the Year
Strawberry Theatre Workshop

Special Mention Awards

The "They Did WHAT?!?" Award for the Most Hilariously Ridiculous and Innovative Staging and Effects - A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS - Seattle Public Theater

The Leaning Forward in My Chair Award for Repeatedly Blowing the Roof Off with a Soulful Torch Song - Iris Elton - X-MAS, A MERRY MUTANT HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR - Pocket Theater & NEW VOICES 2018 - Contemporary Classics

The Perma-Grin Award for One of the Best Renditions of one of my favorites in an intimate space (complete with an earring flinging into my lap) - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Reboot Theatre Company

The Show Must Go On Award for Brilliantly Pulling off a Last Minute Show Switch with Grace - Greg Carter and the Cast and Crew of PRELUDE TO A KISS - Strawberry Theatre Workshop