Fool Moon Theatre’s “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” is up for Best Ensemble, Best Direction, Best Performer (2), Best Supporting Performer (2), Best Scenic Design, and Best Play.
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Three of South Jersey's top theater companies have once again been nominated for BroadwayWorld New Jersey Awards: East Lynne Theater Co. (Cape May), Fool Moon Theatre Co. (Margate) and Studio;Space (Somers Point).
Nominations were submitted by readers of BroadwayWorld, as well as theatergoers in South Jersey who took time to nominate their favorite musicals, plays, actors, lighting or costume designer, choreographer, local theater, and many more. BroadwayWorld, which covers theater happenings around the globe, hosts its awards annually. Its New Jersey Awards span the state’s local and regional productions, touring shows, and cabarets that were performed anytime between October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
“I’m tickled that East Lynne Theater Co. has been nominated for the second year in a row,” said Craig Fols, artistic director at East Lynne, who, along with the theater company, is up for an award for directing. “We are happy to share our nominations with these other worthy local theater companies that do their part to bring arts and culture to South Jersey.”
Bill Sterritt, artistic director of SPQR Stage Co., which performs at Studio;Space in Somers Point, is also nominated for director for his original one-act plays “Molly Pitcher: Revolutionary Girl Power” and “Richard Somers: Anatomy of a Hero,” based on the real-life hero of the First Barbary War who hailed from Atlantic County.
“These award nominations are a great way to shine a light on the variety of live theater options that we have in South Jersey,” said Sterritt.
The public is invited to vote for their favorite productions, ensembles, directors, and many more at BroadwayWorld.com/new-jersey. Voting ends on December 31, and winners will be announced sometime in January.
Below are the nominees from each theatrical group:
Co-stars James Alton, right, and Jered McLenigan are both up for Best Performer awards for “A Case for the Existence of God” for East Lynne Theater Co. It also has nominations for Best Direction and Best Play.
Best Direction, Play: Craig Fols, A Case for the Existence of God
Best Play: A Case for the Existence of God
Best Performer, Play: James Alton and Jered McLenigan, A Case for the Existence of God
Best Cabaret/Concert/Solo Act: Favorite Local Theater: Lennie McKenzie, Christmas Cabaret
Favorite Local Theater: East Lynne Theater Company
Best Choreography, Play/Musical: Francesca Merlino, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Costume Design, Play/Musical: Becky Maegerle and Joseph Lazarus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Beth Lewis and Becky Maegerle, The Miracle Worker
Best Direction of a Musical: Kim Tucker, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Direction of a Play: Paul Herron, A Bad Year for Tomatoes; Andrea Poetsch, The Miracle Worker
Best Lighting Design, Play/Musical: Joseph Lazarus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Music & Orchestra Direction: Rob Tucker, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Musical: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Performer in a Musical: Mark Sarto, Rye Phillips, and Paul Herron, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Performer in a Play: Kate Read and Michael Schlapp, A Bad Year for Tomatoes; Hillary Poetsch and Lydia Snyder, The Miracle Worker
Best Play: A Bad Year for Tomatoes
Best Scenic Design, Play/Musical: Joseph Lazarus, A Bad Year for Tomatoes
Best Sound Design, Play/Musical: Rob Tucker and Kate Read, The Miracle Worker
Best Supporting Performer, Musical: Chikita Wallace, Cormac Morrisey, and Dave Somers; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Best Supporting Performer, Play: Kerry Burns and Victoria Biron, A Bad Year for Tomatoes; Alyssa Mills and Andrew Ireland, The Miracle Worker
Favorite Local Theater: Fool Moon Theatre
Finnigan Keane, left, and Ruthellen Cheney share nominations for Best Solo Performers in Bill Sterritt’s original one-acts about real-life heroes Richard Somers and Molly Pitcher.
Best Direction (Play): Bill Sterritt, Molly Pitcher/Richard Somers
Best Ensemble: Derby Day
Best Performer (Play): Dave Polgar, Magic Flowers
Best Play: Modern Drama
Best Scenic Design, Play/Musical: Reilly Sterritt, Derby Day
Best Cabaret/Concert/Solo Act: Finnigan Keane, Richard Somers; Ruthellen Cheney, Molly Pitcher
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