Lela Elam News

Voting is now underway for the South Florida Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Voting is now underway for the South Florida Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Voting is now underway for the South Florida Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

The Women's Theatre Project will present Barbara Pease Weber's contemporary comedy, Delval Divas, at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park from November 2nd through November 18th. This will be the theatre company's first production in their new venue.

The Women's Theatre Project will present Barbara Pease Weber's contemporary comedy, Delval Divas, at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park from November 2nd through November 18th. This will be the theatre company's first production in their new venue.

"Dead Man's Cell Phone" is by Sarah Ruhl, one of the hottest young playwrights on today's American theater scene. She was the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Award, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. "Cell Phone" was a hit Off-Broadway with Mary Louise Parker ("Weeds") and was one of the top five most produced plays in 2011 in regional theaters across the country. The Waterfront now brings this wonderfully vibrant piece to the Keys community. The New York Times called it "A beguiling comedy with surprising twists and turns."

"Dead Man's Cell Phone" is by Sarah Ruhl, one of the hottest young playwrights on today's American theater scene. She was the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Award, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. "Cell Phone" was a hit Off-Broadway with Mary Louise Parker ("Weeds") and was one of the top five most produced plays in 2011 in regional theaters across the country. The Waterfront now brings this wonderfully vibrant piece to the Keys community. The New York Times called it "A beguiling comedy with surprising twists and turns."

"Dead Man's Cell Phone" is by Sarah Ruhl, one of the hottest young playwrights on today's American theater scene. She was the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Award, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. "Cell Phone" was a hit Off-Broadway with Mary Louise Parker ("Weeds") and was one of the top five most produced plays in 2011 in regional theaters across the country. The Waterfront now brings this wonderfully vibrant piece to the Keys community. The New York Times called it "A beguiling comedy with surprising twists and turns."

"Dead Man's Cell Phone" is by Sarah Ruhl, one of the hottest young playwrights on today's American theater scene. She was the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Award, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. "Cell Phone" was a hit Off-Broadway with Mary Louise Parker ("Weeds") and was one of the top five most produced plays in 2011 in regional theaters across the country. The Waterfront now brings this wonderfully vibrant piece to the Keys community. The New York Times called it "A beguiling comedy with surprising twists and turns."

A BARREN MAN is the story of a young Orthodox man living in Crown Heights who is tormented by his sexual identity, repressed urges, and inability to procreate with his spouse of two years. Desperately longing to save his marriage and preserve his faith, the young man seeks counsel outside Crown Heights. Set against the backdrop of the highs and lows of New York's same-sex marriage legislation, A Barren Man conveys the dangers of self entrapment, the lengths one must go for personal freedom, and the desire to become complete.

Two of Miami's most respected performing arts organizations are collaborating to bring the gospel musical CROWNS to South Florida audiences during Black History Month 2011. The M Ensemble Company opens its 2010-2011 season with its debut performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County with the gospel musical CROWNS by Regina Taylor. Adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, CROWNS runs from February 2-6, 2011 in the Adrienne Arsht Center's Carnival Studio Theater.

Two of Miami's most respected performing arts organizations are collaborating to bring the gospel musical CROWNS to South Florida audiences during Black History Month 2011. The M Ensemble Company opens its 2010-2011 season with its debut performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County with the gospel musical CROWNS by Regina Taylor. Adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, CROWNS runs from February 2-6, 2011 in the Adrienne Arsht Center's Carnival Studio Theater.

Nilaja Sun wrote and originally performed the Off-Broadway smash No Child. For her creation and performance of No Child, Sun garnered a Lucille Lortel Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Theatre World Award, an Obie Award, the John Gassner Playwriting Award, and was named the Best One-Person Show at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Over the 2007-2008 season, she toured No Child to several regional theatres including the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, American Repertory Theatre, Center Theatre Group, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Nilaja Sun wrote and originally performed the Off-Broadway smash No Child. For her creation and performance of No Child, Sun garnered a Lucille Lortel Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Theatre World Award, an Obie Award, the John Gassner Playwriting Award, and was named the Best One-Person Show at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Over the 2007-2008 season, she toured No Child to several regional theatres including the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, American Repertory Theatre, Center Theatre Group, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Caldwell Theatre Company completes their season with the timely production of Lisa Loomer's 'Distracted.' Fresh from its triumphant production at Roundabout Theatre in New York, 'Distracted' is a comedic look at the Cara family, coping with their nine year old son diagnosed with ADHD.

Les Miserables at Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables led the pack with a dozen nominations. Broadsword at Miami's Mad Cat Theatre Company and Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them at Plantation's Mosaic Theatre tied with five nods each as the most recognized plays for the annual honors to be held on Monday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.

2009 could go down as the year of the musical with seven of the top 10 nominated shows edging out the edgier dramas for the 34th annual Carbonell Awards nominations celebrating the best shows and performances in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

While dazzling Key West audiences with her portrayal of Mrs. Muller in'Doubt' last season, Lela fell in love with Key West, and Key West took her into their collective hearts. After hearing of Lela's triumphant appearance at Gable Stage in 'No Child...,' Danny Weathers, artistic director for the Waterfront, scheduled the play for the '09/10 season and is thrilled to have Lela return in this amazing performance. A member of Actors Equity, Lela has won South Florida's prestigious Carbonell Award, and has appeared in such productions as 'In the Continuum,' 'Just A Kiss,' 'Intimate Apparel,' Seven Guitars,' 'Radio Golf' and the recent 'Naked Women Fully Clothed.'

The season begins with 'Twelve Angry Men' by Reginald Rose (Dec. 17 to Jan. 9), one of the greatest courtroom dramas ever written. Directed by Danny Weathers, it will feature a cast of Key West's finest actors. This gripping play examines a group of citizens deciding the guilt or innocence of a 16 year old boy who's accused of killing his father and will have you on the edge of your seat. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play in 2004. 'Crackling...theatrically irresistible. Sends a chill up the spine.' The Washington Post. The production sponsor is Rudy Molinet and Marquis Properties Realty.