Stages may still be empty and houses dark right now, but it’s important to remember and celebrate the typically exceptional work that was done this past COVID-interrupted season in the Calgary theatre scene.
That’s why the Calgary Theatre Critics Awards will go virtual this year bestowing their annual awards — or “Critters,” as they’re referred — to the best actors, directors, designers and companies that offered local audiences something truly special onstage.
Comprised of Postmedia critic Louis B. Hobson, the CBC’s Jonathan Love and our very own Caroline Russell-King, the CTC has whittled down the list of the best they saw into eight different categories, which they’ll then pick a winner from and announce online June 15 at 7 p.m. This year, Honorary Critters will also be given to Joyce Doolittle and John Murrell “for their inestimable contributions to theatre in Calgary.”
Here’s the complete list of nominees.
BEST TOURING SHOW
Let’s Run Away — HPR/reWorks Productions
No Change in the Weather — A Terra Bruce Production
Queer Blind Date — HPR/Spontaneous Theatre Production
We Will Rock You — Annerin Productions
BEST DIRECTION
Christian Berry — Old Stock A Refugee Love Story
Paul Muir — A Christmas Story
Carey Perloff — Merchant of Venice
Anita Rochon — Strangers on a Train
Nigel Shawn Williams — Disgraced
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE
Denise Clarke — Strangers on a Train
Tyrell Crews — Noises Off
David Haysom — Merchant of Venice
Bruce Horak — The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Karen Johnson-Diamond — Noises Off
Robert Kline — Last Christmas
BEST LEADING PERFORMANCE
Praneet Akilla – Iceland
Elinor Holt — The Pink Unicorn
Nathan Kay — Strangers on a Train
Evan Kinnane — The Louder We Get
Seana McKenna — The Merchant of Venice
Zach Running Coyote — Snowblind
BEST ORIGINAL PLAY
Bliss — Jamie Dunsdon
Snowblind — Zach Running Coyote
Men Express Their Feelings — Sunny Drake
The Dinner Party — Christopher Duthie
Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse — R. Hamilton Wright
BEST DESIGN
Brian Ball — A Christmas Story
Anton de Groot — Noises Off
Terry Gunvordahl — Matilda the Musical
Hanne Loosen — The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Scott Reid — A Christmas Carol
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
The Louder We Get — TC
Mamma Mia! — Stage West
Naughty But Nice (Six in the City) — Forte Musical Theatre Guild
Old Stock A Refugee Love Story — ATP
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
A Christmas Story — Rosebud Theatre
Disgraced — ATP
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — ATP
Noises Off — TC
Strangers on a Train — Vertigo
The Critters will live stream on June 15 at 7 p.m.
