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By Joe Straw
I saw some incredible plays last year with equally incredible performances. Just when you thought you couldn’t see any better, along comes another one.
And maybe a sad note, this may be it for the Last Straw Awards. But, time will tell.
Art should never be a competition and it’s not here. So, I’d like to recognize the writers, directors, and actor who put their best foot forward on the night I attended. It’s all about the craft, baby.
All right that said, I’d still like to give the credos where the credos are due.
First, the writers for without them there would be no play.
Writers:
Stephen Adly Guirgis - The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Steven G. Simon & Howard Teichman - Fugu
Jordan Tannahill - Late Company
Ray Richmnod - Transition
Jonathan Ceniceroz – The Cruise
David Lindsay-Abaire – Rabbit Hole
Clare Coss – Dr. Dubois and Miss Ovington
Giovanni Adams –Love is a Dirty Word
John Pollono – Rules of Seconds
María Irene Fornés – The Conduct of Life
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Hamilton
Josefina Lopez - Enemy of the Pueblo
Josefina Lopez - Enemy of the Pueblo
Actors:
The Motherfu*cker with the Hat By Stephen Adly Guirgis - Lyric Hyperion Theatre– Directed by Tony Gatto
Jorge-Luis Pallo
Fayna Sanchez
Nelson Delrosario
Libby Ewing
Eddie Martinez
Aladdin – Book by Jim Luigs, José Cruz Gonzáles, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice
Omar Mata
Fugu by Steven G. Simon & Howard Teichman – Pico Playhouse – Directed by Howard Teichman
Scott Keiji Takeda
Lake Company by Jordan Tannahill – Theatre 40 – Directed by Bruce Gray
Ann Hearn
The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer – The Chromolume Theatre – Directed by Marilyn McIntyre
Carole Weyer
Transition by Ray Richmond - Lounge Theatre- directed by Lee Costello
Harry S. Murphy
Joshua Wolf Coleman
The Cruise by Jonathan Ceniceroz – Latino Theatre Company – directed by Health Cullens
Rick Salinas
Kenneth Lopez
Dr. Du Bois and Miss Ovington by Clare Coss – Robey Theatre Company – Directed by Ben Guillory
Ben Guillory
Melanie Cruz
The Awful Grace of God by Michael Harney – The Other Space – Directed by Mark Kemble
Tim DeZarn – Surrender
Janine Venable – Surrender
Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire – The Lounge Theatre – Directed by Eric Hunnicutt
Jordana Oberman
Toni Christopher
Michael Yurchak
Darcy Shean
Rocky Collins
The Foreigner by Larry Shue – Miles Memorial Playhouse – Directed by Sarah Gurfield
Julianna Robinson
Mike Niedzwiechi
The Sweetheart Deal by Diane Rodriguez – Latino Theatre Company – Directed by Diane Rodriguez
Ruth Livier
Separate Tables by Terrance Rattigan – Theatre 40 – Directed by
Susan Priver
Michele Schultz
The Conduct of Life by María Irene Fornés – Hero Theatre – Directed by José Luis Valenzuela
Elisa Bocanegra
Nicky by Boni B. Alvarez – Coeurage Theatre Company – Directed by Beth Lopes
Ted Barton
Love is A Dirty Word by Giovanni Adams Vs. Theatre – Directed by Becca Wolff
Giovanni Adams
Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez – Mark Taper Forum – Directed by Luis Valdez
Brian Abraham
Matias Ponce
Demian Bircher
Daniel Valdez
Stephani Candelaria
Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson – Greenway Court – Directed by Julianne Donelle
Kiri Lee Cartwright
Kim Reed
Blackbird by David Harrower – Met Theatre – Directed by Don Bloomfield
Michael Conners
Cali Fleming
Frida Stroke of Passion by Odalys Nanin – Macha Theatre – Directed by Odalys Nanin and Co-Director Nancy De Los Santos-Reza
David Lavid
Ebony Perry
Marilyn Sanabria
Exit Strategy by Ike Holter – The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center - Directed by Deena Selenow
Adam Silver
Darrett Sanders
R. Remy Ortiz
June Macfie
The Dreamer Examines His Pillow by John Patrick Shanley – Directed by Mark Blanchard
Sal Landi
Scott Thompson
The Daughters of the Kush By George Corbin – Stellar Adler Theatre – Directed by Veronica Thompson
Allisa Murray
Mack Miles
An Enemy of the Pueblo by Josefina López – Casa 0101 – Directed by Corky Dominguez
Zilah Mendoza
Sherlock Homes and the Case of the Jersey Lily by Katie Forgette – Theatre 40 – Directed by Jules Aaron
Melissa Collins
Beauty and the Beast – Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice - Casa 0101 – Directed by Rigo Tejeda
Jeremy Saje
Caleb Green
Allison Flanagan
Rosa Navarrete
Hamilton – Book, Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda – Ispired by the book Hamilton by Ron Chernow.
Mathenee Treco
Rubén J. Carbajal
Amber Iman
Rory O’Malley
Ryan Vasquez
Jordan Donica
Isaiah Johnson
The Little Mermaid – Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Book by Dough Wright
Sophia Martin-Straw as Ursula
Directors:
Tony Gatto -The Motherfu*cker with the Hat
Howard Teichman – Fugu
Eric Hunnicutt – The Cruise
José Luis Valenzuela - The Conduct of Life