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Calgary theatre critics set to honour best from city’s stages this past shortened season with virtual “Critters” awards

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.

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