The Wars, Edwin Drood earn 8 Betty theatre nominations
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 | 9:54 AM ET
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Christian Goutsis plays soldier Robert Ross in the Theatre Calgary production of The Wars, which earned eight Betty nominations. (David Cooper/Theatre Calgary) War drama The Wars and noirish murder play The Mystery of Edwin Drood each have a leading eight nominations for Betty Mitchell Awards, Calgary's annual theatre awards.
The Wars, produced by Theatre Calgary and Vancouver Playhouse, was nominated for best production and Edwin Drood, produced by Vertigo Theatre, was nominated for best musical.
Other multiple nominees include a Theatre Calgary/Citadel Theatre production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, with seven nominations and Calgary Opera's production of Rigoletto and Sage Theatre's Lion in the Streets, both with six nominations.
Director-turned-playwright Dennis Garnhum adapted The Wars, Timothy Findley's 1977 novel about a soldier's experience in the First World War, for the stage and earned a nomination for best director for the Calgary premiere.
Christian Goutsis of The Wars has a Betty nomination for best actor and Christopher Austman for best supporting actor.
Edwin Drood is a musical mystery that uses techniques of film noir to relate a crime drama. Based on the unfinished final novel of Charles Dickens, it earned a best musical nod, along with nominations for best choreography, musical direction, and set and costume design.
Actor Doug McKeag and actresses Natascha Girgis and Elinor Holt earned Betty nominations for their performances. Other plays in the running for best production honours include The Drowning Girls and Rabbit Hole, both by Alberta Theatre Projects, Lion in the Streets by Sage Theatre and Vigil by Theatre Calgary.
Lion in the Streets has six Betty nominations, including best direction for Kate Newby. Two of its leads — Shawna Burnett and Jennie Esdale — are competing for best actress honours.
Rabbit Hole and Drowning Girls each have four Betty nominations, including best direction for Glenda Stirling and Charlie Tomlinson.
Other best musical nominees:
- With a Twist by Lunchbox Theatre.
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch by Sage Theatre.
- Disney's Beauty and the Beast by Theatre Calgary/Citadel Theatre.
- Rigoletto by Calgary Opera.
Tracy Dahl as Gilda in Calgary Opera's production of Rigoletto. (Trudie Lee/Calgary Opera) In addition to best musical, Rigoletto was nominated for best direction by Glynis Leyshon, best lighting, best sets and costumes and best performance in a musical by Tracy Dahl.
In the outstanding new play category the nominees are:
- Ethan Cole, The Astonishing Adventures of Awesome Girl and Radical Boy.
- Jean-Marc Dalpe, translated by Maureen Labonte, August, an Afternoon in the Country.
- Doug McKeag, DOOM 2010.
- Jason Rothery, Politiko.
- Dianela Vlaskalic, Beth Graham and Charlie Tomlinson, The Drowning Girls.
Nominees for best actor in a musical:
- Geoffrey Ewert, Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
- Sean Hauk, Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
- Marc Herveiux, Tosca.
- Doug McKeag, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
- John Ullyatt, Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Nominees for best actress in a musical:
- Kharytia Bilash, Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
- Tracy Dahl, Rigoletto.
- Natascha Girgis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
- Elinor Holt, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
- Jamie Konchak, Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Nominees for best actor in a drama:
- Shomee Chakrabartty, Helen's Necklace.
- Dean Paul Gibson, Vigil.
- Christian Goutsis, The Wars.
- Kevin K. James, that elusive spark.
- Curt McKinstry, Rabbit Hole.
Nominees for best actress in a drama:
- Shirley Broderick, Half Life.
- Shawna Burnett, Lion in the Streets.
- Jennie Esdale, Lion in the Streets.
- Elinor Holt, Helen's Necklace.
- Adrienne Smook, My Name is Rachel Corrie.
More than 60 plays from the 2007-8 theatre season were eligible for Betty Mitchell awards. The winners will be announced on Aug. 25 in Calgary.
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