TheatreWorks Garners 21 BATCC Nominations

The Bay Area Critics Circle nominations are in and TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, received 21 nominations for the company's 2009 productions. With over 8,000 subscribers and 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity. Top honors included nominations in the Drama and Musical categories, with multiple recognitions for TWENTIETH CENTURY, IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES, and the vibrant world premiere musical TINYARD HILL. TheatreWorks founding Artistic Director, Robert Kelley, who has previously garnered several Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for "Outstanding Direction" for his productions of the classic musicals Caroline, or Change; Sunday in the Park with George; Sweeney Todd; Into the Woods and Merrily We Roll Along, has been nominated again for his 2009 production of TINYARD HILL.

In addition to Best Director for Kelley, TINYARD HILL, dubbed "rousing...sharply comic" by the San Francisco Chronicle, captured a total of nine nominations, including "Entire Production," "Principle Female Performance" for Melissa WolfKlain, "Principle Male Performance" for Chris Critelli, "Supporting Female Performance" for Allison Briner, and "Supporting Male Performance" for James Moye, as well as nods for "Best Musical Direction" for William Liberatore, "Lighting Design" for Pamila Gray, and "Set Design" for Tom Langguth.

The Daily News raved IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES "is so entertaining, delightful, and edifying that this nation would be a better place if it were taught in schools," and the BATCC agrees. IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES boasts an additional nine nominations, including "Entire Production," "Best Ensemble," "Direction of a Musical" for Randal Myler and "Principal Female Performance" for C. Kelly Wright. The production also earned nominations for "Sound Design" for Cliff Caruthers, "Lighting Design" for Don Darnutzer, "Costume Design" for Julie Engelbrecht, and "Specialties" nominations for Chad Bonaker (projections) and Donald McKayle (choreography).

TheatreWorks favorite C. Kelly Wright received a second 2009 nomination for "Best Supporting Female" for her role as Elizabeth Keckley in the company's holiday hit, A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS, a role she "played with luminous magnetism" according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

TheatreWorks' stunning farce TWENTIETH CENTURY received BATCC nods for "Best Set Design" for Andrea Bechert and "Best Costume Design" for Fumiko Bielefeldt, in what the San Jose Metro called "a beautifully designed production" and the San Francisco Chronicle hailed as "an Art Deco feast for the eyes."

With over 8,000 subscribers and 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatre-goers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast from across the country. TheatreWorks has just unveiled the line-up for its 41st season, which will begin in July 2010, and will include three more World Premieres, bringing the company's total to 56. Last fall, TheatreWorks celebrated the arrival on Broadway of the hit musical Memphis (developed at TheatreWorks New Works Festival and presented on its Main Stage). Memphis is now in its 6th month on Broadway, where it has grossed more than $13.3 million to date. The company recently concluded a held-over run of the World Premiere musical Daddy Long Legs, by John Caird and Paul Gordon, which has become one of the best attended shows in TheatreWorks history. Its present season will continues with the West Coast premiere of the Latino comedy Sunsets and Margaritas, followed by a 50th anniversary presentation of the American drama To Kill a Mockingbird, and wrap-up in June with a comedic look a string quartet forced to find a new player, Opus.

TheatreWorks' BATCC Nominations for Musicals
It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues, Entire Production
It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues, Best Ensemble
C. Kelly Wright for Principal Female Performance in It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues
Randal Myler for Best Direction of It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues
Cliff Caruthers for Best Sound Design in It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues
Don Darnutzer for Best Lighting Design in It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues
Julie Engelbrecht for Best Costume Design in It Ain't Nothin but the Blues
Chad Bonaker for Specialties in Projections for It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues
Donald McKayle for Specialties in Choreography for It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues
Tinyard Hill, Entire Production
Melissa WolfKlain for Principal Female Performance in Tinyard Hill
Chris Critelli for Principal Male Performance in Tinyard Hill
Allison Briner for Supporting Female Performance in Tinyard Hill
James Moye for Supporting Male Performance in Tinyard Hill
Robert Kelley for Best Direction of Tinyard Hill
William Liberatore for Best Musical Direction of Tinyard Hill
Tom Langguth for Best Set Design in Tinyard Hill
Pamila Gray for Best Lighting Design in Tinyard Hill
C. Kelly Wright for Supporting Female Performance in A Civil War Christmas

TheatreWorks' BATCC Nomination for Drama
Andrea Bechert, Set Design for Twentieth Century
Fumiko Bielefeldt, Costume Design for Twentieth Century

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