WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Monday night, the D.C. theatre community gathered at the Anthem, a newly built concert venue, for the 34th annual Helen Hayes Awards. The most-lauded productions were GALA Hispanic Theatre’s Spanish-language production of In the Heights with nine awards, and Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night with four wins, including Outstanding Production in a Play. Two productions of In the Heights, GALA’s and a coproduction with Olney Theatre Center and Round House Theatre, took home the two prizes for Outstanding Production in a Musical.
Administered by theatreWashington, the awards recognize professional productions and performances presented in the District throughout the 2017 calendar year. This year, 258 nominees were selected from 64 theatres, and 48 awards were doled out. Each of the categories has two tracks: “Helen” and “Hayes,” depending on the number of Actors’ Equity members involved in a production.
Michael J. Bobbitt and Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan co-hosted the event, and Monty Hoffman served as the honorary chairman for the awards.
The Helen Hayes Tribute was given to Nancy Robinette, a mainstay performer in the D.C. theatre community who has won 5 Helen Hayes Awards and received 18 nominations throughout her career. Monumental Theatre Company was awarded the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company.
The full list of winners are below:
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical – Hayes
Parker Esse, The Pajama Game, Arena Stage
Denis Jones, Crazy for You, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Musical – Helen
Luis Salgado, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Choreography in a Play – Hayes
Robb Hunter, HIR, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Outstanding Choreography in a Play – Helen
Kelly Maxner and Mollye Maxner, Still Life with Rocket,Theater Alliance
Outstanding Musical Direction – Hayes
Jon Kalbfleisch, Caroline, Or Change, Round House Theatre
Outstanding Musical Direction – Helen
Walter “Bobby” McCoy, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design – Hayes
Kendra Rai, Or, Round House Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design – Helen
Robert Croghan, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design – Hayes
Jason Lyons (Lighting Designer) and Zachary G. Borovay (Projection Designer), Jesus Christ Superstar, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design – Helen
Christopher Annas-Lee, In the Heights,GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Set Design – Hayes
Lee Savage, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Set Design – Helen
Debra Kim Sivigny, Forgotten Kingdoms, Rorschach Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design – Hayes
Palmer Hefferan, Baby Screams Miracle, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Outstanding Sound Design – Helen
Matthew M. Nielson, Mnemonic, Theater Alliance
Outstanding Direction in a Musical – Hayes
Kathryn Chase Bryer, Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure, Imagination Stage
Outstanding Direction in a Musical – Helen
Luis Salgado, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Direction in a Play – Hayes
Ethan McSweeny, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Direction in a Play – Helen
Rick Hammerly, Lela & Co, Factory 449
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – Hayes
Ragtime, Ford’s Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical – Helen
In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – Hayes
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Ford’s Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play – Helen
Peter and the Starcatcher, Constellation Theatre Company
Outstanding Performer – Visiting Production
Alessandra Baldacchino, Fun Home, The National Theatre
Abby Corrigan, Fun Home, The National Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical – Hayes
Will Gartshore, A Little Night Music, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical – Hayes
Tracy Lynn Olivera, A Little Night Music, Signature Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical – Helen
Félix Marchany, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical – Helen
Kari Ginsburg, The Wild Party, Constellation Theatre Company
James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play – Hayes
Jim Lichtscheidl, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play – Hayes
Erin Weaver, Or, Round House Theatre
James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play – Helen
Jose Guzman, Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train, 1st Stage
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play – Helen
Susan Rome, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Theater J
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Hayes
Kevin McAllister, Ragtime, Ford’s Theatre
Blakely Slaybaugh, The Pajama Game, Arena Stage
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Hayes
Rayanne Gonzales, In the Heights, Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Helen
Michael Innocenti, Parade, The Keegan Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Helen
Laura Lebrón, In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Hayes
Ted van Griethuysen, The Father, Studio Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Hayes
Lizan Mitchell, A Raisin in the Sun, Arena Stage
Robert Prosky Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – Helen
Frank Britton, Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train, 1st Stage
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play – Helen
Felicia Curry, Lela & Co, Factory 449
Outstanding Original Play or Musical Adaptation
Karen Zacarías (Book), Deborah Wicks La Puma (Music), Ella Enchanted Adventure Theatre, MTC
Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical
Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm, Hooded, Or Being Black for Dummies, Mosaic Theater Company of DC
Outstanding Production – Theatre for Young Audiences
Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure, Imagination Stage
Outstanding Visiting Production
Mean Girls, The National Theatre
Outstanding Production in a Musical – Hayes
In the Heights, Olney Theatre Center & Round House Theatre
Outstanding Production in a Play – Hayes
Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Outstanding Production in a Musical – Helen
In the Heights, GALA Hispanic Theatre
Outstanding Production in a Play – Helen
Still Life with Rocket,Theater Alliance
Helen Hayes Tribute
Nancy Robinette
John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company
Monumental Theatre Company
