The Ogunquit Playhouse Receives Ten IRNE Award Nominations

The Ogunquit Playhouse announced that it has received ten Independent Reviewers of New England Award (IRNE) Nominations for its 2011 production of Miss Saigon, including Best Musical in the "Large Theatre" category.

Jennifer Paz has been nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Kim, the Vietnamese woman who fell in love with the American GI. Broadway veteran Raul Aranas received a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as the Engineer. Nik Walker (John) and Austin Ku (Thuy) were both nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. The Best Performance by a Young Actor nomination went to Yamilah Saravong for the role of Tam.

Director Paul Dobie also received an IRNE nod for his work on the Ogunquit Production. Paul came to the Ogunquit Playhouse after working as the assistant director on the Broadway smash hit Wicked. He was an original cast member of Miss Saigon when it opened on Broadway in 1991 and was associated with the show through 2001. Choreographer for the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Miss Saigon Robert Tatad, who was a member of the Broadway and National Touring companies of Miss Saigon, also received a nomination for Best Choreography in a Musical.

Other nominations for the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Miss Saigon in the Large Theatre category are for Best Set Design, Michael Anania; and for Best Musical Direction, Ken Clifton who has worked on many productions for Ogunquit.

Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney was thrilled to hear the good news, "We are once again honored to be nominated among some of New England's best theatres. Miss Saigon was the largest show ever mounted on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage. We are extremely proud to know that so many of those who made the production exceptional have been recognized by the IRNE nominating committee. "

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards were founded by Beverly Creasey of The Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of Theater Mirror in 1997. The IRNE Awards recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston and New England theatre community. The IRNE Award ceremony will take place on Monday, April 23, 2012, 7:30PM at the Boston Center for the Arts.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is America's Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from May 23 to October 21, 2012. Shows under consideration for the 2012 season are: Always Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton's Nine to Five, Damn Yankees, (the New Boston Red Sox version), Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story, and a Broadway hit soon to be announced. Main Stage tickets go on sale March 26th, prices range from $39-$74 per show. Gift Certificates, Flex-Passes and Season Subscriptions are on sale now! For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit the website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the Box Office at 207-646-5511.

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