The month of May in New York might have started with Spring showers, but congratulatory flowers are due to a couple of our Broadway Black faves.
The Lucille Lortel Awards honor excellence in Off-Broadway Theatre and on Sunday May 1, 2016 the results came in and the trophies were handed out. Here at Broadway Black, we were especially excited to see nods given to Head of Passes, Eclipsed, Familiar, and Sojourners.
We were blown away by Phylicia Rashad’s masterclass-like and spiritually fulfilling performance as “Shelah” in Head of Passes. Praise was given where it was due, as she took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play. Alana Arenas, who starred as “Cookie” in Head of Passes, won Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.
Liesl Tommy, part of the history making creative team of Eclipsed, took home the trophy for Outstanding Director. As previously reported, Suzane-Lori Parks was inducted into the Playwrights’ sidewalk for her long standing and continued contributions to Off Broadway Theatre.
The night was hosted by Zachary Levi, who is currently starring in the Broadway musical She Loves Me. Guards at The Taj and The Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of The Robber Bridegroom led the night, with Guards at the Taj winning four Lucille Lortel Awards and The Robber Bridegroom, three.
Our Broadway Black favorites Cynthia Erivo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Renee Elise Goldsberry, stopped by to present. History has its eyes on all three ladies for the rest of award season. Stay tuned for news on how this awards season pans out.
UP NEXT:
Tony Nominations: 5/3/16
Drama League Awards: 5/20/16
Obie Awards: 5/23/16
Outer Critics Awards: 5/27/16
Drama Desk Awards: 6/5/16
Tony Awards: 6/13/16
The full list of 2016 Lucille Lortel Award winners are listed below.
Outstanding Play
Guards at the Taj
Produced by Atlantic Theater Company
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Outstanding Musical
FUTURITY
Produced by Soho Rep. and Ars Nova in association with Carole Shorenstein Hays
Music by Cesar Alvarez with The Lisps, Lyrics and Book by Cesar Alvarez
Outstanding Revival
The Robber Bridegroom
Produced by Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Daryl Roth
Book and Lyrics by Alfred Uhry, Music by Robert Waldman
Outstanding Solo Show
Grounded
Produced by the Public Theater
Outstanding Director
Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed
Outstanding Choreographer
Martha Clarke, Angel Reapers
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
Timothee Chalamet, Prodigal Son
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Phylicia Rashad, Head of Passes
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Steven Pasquale, The Robber Bridegroom
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Annette O’Toole, Southern Comfort
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Matt McGrath, The Legend of Georgia McBride
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Alana Arenas, Head of Passes
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Jeffrey Kuhn, Southern Comfort
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Leslie Kritzer, The Robber Bridegroom
Outstanding Scenic Design
Tim Mackabee, Guards at the Taj
Outstanding Costume Design
Anita Yavich, The Legend of Georgia McBride
Outstanding Lighting Design
David Weiner, Guards at the Taj
Outstanding Sound Design
Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen, Guards at the Taj
SPECIAL AWARDS
Peter Nigrini, Projection Design, Grounded
Outstanding Alternative Theatrical Experience
Angel Reapers, Produced by Signature Theatre
HONORARY AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Award
James Houghton
Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee
Suzan-Lori Parks
