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The 52nd Annual AUDELCO Awards, held at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, was monumental. It was a time when excellence in Black Theater was acknowledged and rewarded. The Awards still keep the vision of its founder, the late Vivian Robinson, alive as productions vie to win the VIV. The evening of love, support, and applause for the Black theater community was co-hosted by actors Jerome Preston Bates and Toni Seawright. AUDELCO President Jackie Jeffries put together an evening of phenomenal creativity and exciting performances and honored the creme de la creme of Black Theater.
The winners from the evening included production from this past season and showcased brilliant work. The AUDELCO Awards is the one time of year that the Black Theater family can come together and say, “Job well done.” AUDELCO is our love letter to our people and the superb work that they do every season.
This year’s winners shined brightly. Leading the way, “Hell’s Kitchen,” produced by The Public Theater, received five VIV Awards for Best Musical; Outstanding Musical Director–Adam Blackstone; Best Choreographer–Camille A. Brown; Lead Actress in a Musical–Maleah Joi Moon and featured actress in a musical–Kecia Lewis.
“The Refuge Plays,” produced by Roundabout Theatre Company/New York Theatre Workshop, received four VIVs for Best Play; Best Director of a Play, Patricia McGregor; Lead Actress in a Play, Nicole Ari Parker; and Lead Actor in a Play–Daniel J. Watts.
“Zooman and the Sign,” produced by the Negro Ensemble Company, received three VIV Awards for Lighting Design–Melody A. Beal, Sound Design–Twan Howard, and Featured Actor in a Play–Reginald L. Wilson. Wilson also received the Lead Actor in a Play award for “Scrambled Eggs,” produced by Faith Steps Productions and 24 Bond Arts Center. It was a fantastic night for Wilson as he was already honored with a Special Achievement Award for his vast work this season.
“The World According to Micki Grant,” produced by New Federal Theatre, garnered three VIV Awards for Best Director of a Musical–Nora Cole; Lead Actor in a Musical–Brian Davis and Lead Actress in a Musical–Matelyn Alicia, April Armstrong, and Patrice Bell. (This award was presented this way because these ladies all portrayed Grant and were remarkable!)
“Table 17,” produced by MCC Theatre, received the VIV for Best Playwright–Douglas Lyons, and Outstanding Ensemble–Kara Young, Biko Eisen-Martin, and Michael Rishawn.
Since The Outstanding Ensemble category had a tie, the New Federal Theatre’s “Telling Tales out of School” was recognized for its outstanding work. VIVs went to cast members–Richarda Abrams, Elizabeth Van Dyke, Petronia Paley, and June Ballinger.
“Unentitled,” produced by the Negro Ensemble Company, won Best Revival of a Play and Set Design–Chris Cumberbatch and Angel Smith.
“Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” produced by PAC NYC, received two VIV Awards. Andre De Shields won for Featured Actor in a Musical, and the VIV for costume design went to Qween Jean.
The Outstanding Solo Performance Award was given to Laurence Fishburne for “Like They Do In The Movies,” produced by Perelman Performing Arts Center.
“Fabulation: or The Re-Education of Undine,” produced by the Billie Holiday Theater in Brooklyn, received accolades for Sharon Hope, Best Featured Actress In a Play.
Throughout the evening, in between award categories, the creme de la creme of Black Theater was honored with distinguished awards. June Terry received the Legacy Award for her decades of work in costume design. Daniel Koa Beaty was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award for the vast productions he had written and performed over the decades. Trezana Beverly received a Lifetime Achievement award for her distinguished career. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to some very incredible people– 50 year vet A. Dean Irby, renowned dancer and choreographer George Faison, and film/Broadway actress extraordinaire Lizan Mitchell.
Pioneer Awards were given to such luminaries as Obediah Wright, a director, choreographer, dancer, actor, singer, and educator. Ralph Carter was presented with the Pioneer Award in celebration of “Good Times” 50th Anniversary and his amazing Broadway career. Michael Dinwiddie, a playwright, television scriptwriter, and NYU Professor, also received the Pioneer honor.
The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Layon Gray, a playwright/director/producer, and R&B singer Alyson Williams, who was honored for her decades of work.
