(HAMMONTON, NJ) -- Less than three years ago, Hammonton’s Eagle Theatre was not even eligible to participate in Theatre Philadelphia’s prestigious Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Professional Theatre. Now Eagle Theatre has become the only theatre in South Jersey to be nominated for these coveted honors. Eagle Theatre is South Jersey’s only year-round professional Equity theatre and the only Regional Theatre to produce full scale musicals in the southern eight counties of the state.

At a press conference in Philadelphia on Monday, August 21st, Theatre Philadelphia, the organization that governs over the Barrymore Awards, announced the 2017 nominees. Eagle Theatre now competes directly against top Philadelphia theatres such as the Arden Theatre, Wilma Theatre and Philadelphia Theatre Company. The Barrymore Awards are named for the legendary, Philadelphia based “first family” of American theatre: John, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore.

All five Eagle Theatre productions were eligible to participate in the Barrymore Awards as designated “Barrymore Recommended.” After the initial score sheets were tabulated by official Barrymore Nominators, each production graduated to the next level of the award process. Productions included: THE KING OF EAST JABIP, GODSPELL, ROCK OF AGES, JOHN & JEN, and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. Twelve official Barrymore Judges were sent to attend and review each production, review and submit their scores, culminating in four esteemed Theatre Philadelphia Barrymore Nominations; GODSPELL (Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical), Ted Wioncek III (Outstanding Direction of a Musical, JOHN & JEN),  Tim Rinehart (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER), Jason Neri (Outstanding Music Director, GODSPELL).

Co-Artistic Director Ted Wioncek III states, “We are humbled and elated that three unique Eagle Theatre productions have been recognized, each sharing the united message of love, communal growth, and acceptance. We are fortunate to have a coveted, nationally recognized symbol of excellence in professional theatre, to celebrate and share with our fellow colleagues.”

The Barrymore Award Ceremony will be held at the Merrian Theatre, on October 30th at 7:00PM. Representatives from the Eagle Theatre will be attending the ceremony.

This marks the 9th Barrymore Award Nomination for Eagle Theatre in only three years. In 2015 Eagle Theatre was awarded its first official nomination for Best Choreography, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. In 2016 Eagle Theatre was awarded four nominations for HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, including; Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical.

Eagle Theatre is South Jersey’s only year-round professional Equity theatre and is located at 208 Vine Street in Downtown Hammonton. The 2017 Mainstage Season resumes with the THE SHAPE OF THINGS in September and October and THE FANTASTICKS in November and December. The 2018 Mainstage Season was recently announced and will feature LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL, MOONLIGHT & MAGNOLIAS, THE LAST 5 YEARS, NOIR: THE 3D/4D SEMI-CINAMATIC SATIRCAL THRILLER, and THE SPITFIRE GRILL.