2025 Accolades

FEATURED ACTOR, DRAMA
Critic’s Pick
To Kill a Mockingbird

The very definition of “quiet nobility” as falsely accused Tom Robinson in Theater West End’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Brent Jordan exquisitely showed the audience Tom’s confidence in his own innocence, the flicker of confusion why people won’t understand he is capable of doing a good deed, and the flame of knowledge that a Black man in a white woman’s house is in a precarious situation. Jordan was also the Critic’s Pick in this category last year, honored for his performance in Orlando Shakes’ “Boulevard of Bold Dreams.”

— Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel

FEATURED ACTOR, COMEDY
Critic’s Pick
Steel Magnolias

Cynthia Beckert delighted as a deeper-than-usual Clairee in Theater West End’s February production of “Steel Magnolias.” She expertly peeled away the obvious outer layers of Clairee — refined, sophisticated, sharp as a tack — to show us the blossoming of a woman coming into her own after the death of her husband. And she did it with a sly delivery that made the laughs even louder.

— Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel

CHOREOGRAPHY
Critic’s Pick
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812

Roselyn Garcia created choreography that matched the larger-than-life vibe of Theater West End’s November production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” The characters’ pent-up love, lust, joy and rage burst forward from the characters in their movement. Garcia’s stylish and attention-getting choreography ranged from sedate, courtly numbers to explosive Russian dance numbers that filled the theater.

— Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Critic’s Pick
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

There are compelling and beautiful reasons Billie Holiday now feels the signature role of Desiree Montes, who has played the part five times: She has Holiday’s vocal mannerisms — that sudden drop into raspy depths. She has the singing chops — that uncanny ability to inject pain into a musical note before twisting it into a source of strength. And most of all, she has that indelible mix of suffering and triumph that made Holiday one of a kind.

— Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel

FEATURED ACTOR, DRAMA
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf

FEATURED ACTOR, MUSICAL
Jesus Christ Superstar

FEATURED ACTOR, MUSICAL
Jesus Christ Superstar

FEATURED ACTOR, MUSICAL
American Psycho

DIRECTOR, DRAMA
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf

DIRECTOR, MUSICAL
Once

MUSIC DIRECTION
Once

MUSIC DIRECTION
Next to Normal

CHOREOGRAPHY
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf

CHOREOGRAPHY
Jesus Christ Superstar