2024 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

LEADING ACTOR, DRAMA
To Kill a Mockingbird

LEADING ACTOR, MUSICAL
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812

FEATURED ACTOR, DRAMA
To Kill a Mockingbird

FEATURED ACTOR, COMEDY
Steel Magnolias

ENSEMBLE
Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812

DIRECTOR, MUSICAL
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of

DIRECTION, MUSICAL
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

DIRECTION, DRAMA
To Kill a Mockingbird

DIRECTION, COMEDY
Steel Magnolias

MUSIC DIRECTION
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

LIGHTING DESIGN
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812

LIGHTING DESIGN
To Kill a Mockingbird

SOUND DESIGN
To Kill A Mockingbird

COSTUME DESIGN
Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812