So Many Choices: The CEA Balancing Act
By Rick Pender
One hundred people and productions were nominated for the 2009 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards in theater, which were bestowed Aug. 30 at Below Zero Lounge before a big, happy, socializing crowd. Let's say that again: 100 nominations. No single company dominated the 13th annual CEAs, as 11 different organizations received awards for work on 15 separate productions. In the big categories voted by critics, the Cincinnati Playhouse's production of the powerful 'Blackbird,' directed by Michael Evan Haney (pictured), was the year's outstanding drama. New Stage Collective's final production, the bittersweet Sondheim musical 'A Little Night Music,' was named outstanding musical.
The Winners and Nominees
Publicly Voted Categories
Local Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Local Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Local Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play
Local Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Local Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Local Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Local Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Local Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Acting Performance by a Visiting Actor
Acting Performance by a Visiting Actress
Outstanding Community Theater Production
Critical Achievement Categories
Achievement in Scenic Design
Achievement in Costume Design
Achievement in Lighting, Sound or Special Effects
Choreography
Alternative Show
Local Premiere
Outstanding Play
Outstanding Musical
Theater CEAs To Be Handed Out Aug. 30
By Staff
The 13th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, the area's longest running local theater awards program, will be held Sunday evening at Below Zero Lounge in Over-the-Rhine. Twenty awards will be handed out, and Jennifer and Tim Perrino and Denny Reed of Cincinnati Landmark Productions will be inducted into the CEA Hall of Fame. Admission is free, and food and drink are available to help the party mood.
Lots of Winners in Local Theater World
By Rick Pender
The Cincinnati Entertainment Awards (CEAs) for theater, set to be handed out Aug. 30, led me to wonder if our theater scene compares favorably with other cities. Would this year's 100 CEA nominees compete with performers and productions elsewhere? Those are subjective judgments, to be sure, but simply counting productions of important plays we match up reasonably well.
CEA-Accredited Shows on Tap
By Rick Pender
Voting closed on Aug. 3 for the 13th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards (CEAs) recognizing outstanding performances and productions from the 2008-09 theater season. The awards will be presented at Below Zero Lounge in Over-the-Rhine on Aug. 30. The event is open to the public and free, a big party (cash bar) attended by local theater performers, directors, designers and fans celebrating the work of 100 nominees. Here's an early bird alert: Several CEA-nominated actors are returning to local stages this fall.
CEAs: 100 Reasons to Celebrate Theater
By Rick Pender
Starting this week you can vote for the 2009 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for theater. The CEAs, established by CityBeat in 1996, use public voting for a dozen categories and a poll of critics for the remaining eight, covering productions and technical aspects better judged by people who see a lot of theater. Five nominees are selected for 20 categories by a panel of local critics. (This year's choices were made by seven critics who write for four different media outlets: CityBeat, TalkinBroadway.com, The Hamilton Journal-News and Aeqai, an arts Web site.)
