a few at a time
When the 2019 - 2020 theater season was brought to an abrupt and unexpected halt in March, some shows were cut short before they'd even opened. Few expected that the shut down would linger for so long.
The Artie Awards ceremony wasn't scheduled until June. That date, too, is now long past. It is clear that when the theaters eventually reopen, we will live in a greatly altered theater landscape. In the past six months, Agnes Bain of the African American Cultural Center and Lorna C. Hill, founder of Ujima Theater Company, both passed away, dramatically altering our African American theater scene. Neal Radice and Joyce Stilson retired from Alleyway Theatre. So did Vincent O'Neill and Fortunato Pezzimenti of the Irish Classical Theatre. Subversive Theatre gave up its space in the Pierce Arrow Building. Change continues to happen. Theater may be in hiatus, but time marches on.
With no idea of when this horrible pandemic might be wrestled under control, waiting for an appropriate moment to announce the Artie nominations had become ridiculous. Therefore, the ARTIES and WBFO/WNED have decided to announce the nominations, but since time is no issue at all, we will release the nominations in batches. Those nominated may get to enjoy nominee status for a good long time. Today we announce the 2020 Nominations for Outstanding Production of a Play and Outstanding Production of a Musical. Other categories will be announced by Artie Award sponsor WNED/WBFO on dates to be announced.
These are the 30th Anniversary Artie Nominations. The actual awards will be given at an event yet to be scheduled.
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Kiss of the Spider Woman, New Phoenix Theatre
Love’s Labour’s Lost, Shakespeare in Delaware Park
Pipeline, Ujima Theatre Company
Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Irish Classical Theatre
To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre
Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre
Nine, Second Generation Theatre
Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company
Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre
For more about the 2020 Artie Nominations see THEATER TALK ON WBFO.