Impressions of the 2007 Helen Hayes Awards

It was such an honor to be invited to attend the 24^thHelen Hayes Awards presented on April 28 at the beautifully restored Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.  The only other such an event I have attended was the 2001 Tony Awards held in Radio City Music Hall in June of 2002.

Close to 2,000 boisterous performers and theater lovers filled the Warner Theatre to honor the winners in 24 categories for artistic achievement. The tough task of directing the event went to Jerry Whiddon, himself a six-time Helen Hayes Award nominee. There was an excellent Helen Hayes Awards Orchestra on stage under the musical direction of Glenn Pearson, collaborating with George Fulginiti-Shakar.  For entertainment, since ALL of the nominated shows have closed, a marvelous quintet of performers added to the enjoyment: Eleasha Gamble, Emily Levey, Matthew Pearson, Stephen Schmidt, and Chris Sizemore.

In 2007, 67 professional theaters presented 8,500 performances in 454 productions attended by close to two million people. While I was able to see much theater in the Washington area, I didn't even see the tip of the iceberg.

One of the biggest winners was the Synetic Theater, a movement based theater-troupe without a home theater but based in Arlington, VA. Synetic was given tremendous applause for each of its five Hayes' Awards. This is a theater I will try not to miss next season.

I will admit to one great surprise when Avenue Q upset My Fair Lady for Outstanding Non-Resident Production.  This reminded me of the upset at the Tony Awards when Avenue Q (after a huge campaign promising to tour the country) upset the monster musical Wicked.  I still don't understand that one.

I missed Meet John Doe at the Ford's Theatre and that was a mistake. Heidi Blickenstaff must have been terrific to win Best Actress in a Musical over Carolee Carmello (Saving Aimee). Broadway performers Marc Kudisch, Cherry Jones, and Bill Irwin all took awards but were unable to attend.

Besides Synetic Theater, theaters that had big wins included The Studio Theatre and Studio Theatre's  2^nd Stage, Signature, Arena Stage, Wooly Mammoth, and Toby's Dinner Theatre.

Certainly a highlight of the evening was the Helen Hayes Tribute to the British star of stage and screen, Sir Derek Jacobi in recognition of his body of work for over fifty years.

Jacoby in fact had previously won two Helen Hayes Awards, one in 1985 for Cyrano de Bergerac and again in 1988 for Breaking the Code (later presented on PBS). His acceptance speech was incredibly gracious and most moving. 

Following the event, there was "The Ovation Gala" across the street from the theater at the JW Marriott. There one could mingle with the nominees and the Award winners.  I could not pass up the opportunity to congratulate Sir Derek and will always treasure that experience.

The photo attached to this article is of two of my favorite performers who coincidentally have both played "Rosie' in Mamma-Mia!  

I first saw Harriett D. Foy (on the left) in Day of Absence at Center Stage and six other plays. She was nominated for her terrific role in the Arena Stage production of The Women of Brewster Place.

E. Faye Butler won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical in Kathy Lee Gifford's Saving Aimee.  I've seen her in six productions including Trouble in Mind at both Center Stage and at the Yale Repertory Theatre. She will be starring next season in the Center Stage production of the musical Caroline or Change.  When I saw Foy and Butler together, I immediately went for my camera. I'm glad I did.

Congratulations to all the nominees, winners, and theater organizations.

If you want to get up and personal with the many talented theater professionals who perform in the greater Washington area, make an effort to attend the Helen Hayes Awards. I'm looking forward to next year already!!

For more information about the Helen Hayes Awards programs and services, visit www.helenhayes.org.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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