The Pulsars Awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, June 29 will reflect the ongoing need to social distance. Instead of the usual dinner gathering, presentations will be done via Zoom. Recipients have the opportunity to respond to winner announcements in 25 categories that reflect on and off-stage excellence. The public is welcome to watch.
For the first time in 16 years, instead of handing out trophies, special certificates will be mailed to the winners.
The host for the live-streamed ceremony will be Jamie Paisley, the director of programming for WKAR Radio. He started in radio hosting a Broadway program in central New York State for five years. For eight years — before joining WKAR in 2015 — Paisley was the musical director of Los Angeles’ classical station.
Coordinating the Zoom presentation will be Paul Wozniak. Up to 300 people will be able to join the live presentation, but if you can’t watch it live a recorded version will be available on
lansingcitypulse.com
Despite an abbreviated season, the 2019-2020 Pulsar contenders included 30 plays. All theater companies considered were unable to complete their rosters.
The Curtainless Theatre was able to finish its run of “Julius Caesar” online. Williamston Theatre’s “These Mortal Hosts” was also included because the play was offered as a virtual pay-per-view.
Because of the coronavirus shut down in March, Starlight Dinner Theatre’s “A Lion in Winter” and Riverwalk Theatre’s “A Hotel on Marvin Gardens” had to close before the required three judges had a chance to score them.
From a pool of 10 judges, ballots with 0-to-10 scores were submitted for plays before area theater went dark. Those with the highest numbers received nominations. Children’s theater was not included.
The “Best Musical Ensemble” award was omitted this year because only one play was completed in that category.
Although theater companies often save a blockbuster for the end of their season, the list includes many epic productions. Michigan State University Department of Theatre, Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts, Riverwalk Theatre, Peppermint Creek Theatre Co. and Williamston Theatre all offered lavish shows before the stay-at-home order was initiated.
And, now, your Pulsar nominees:
Best Play
“Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
“Apples in Winter” – Ixion Theatre Ensemble
“900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
“These Mortal Hosts” – Williamston Theatre
“The Safe House” – Williamston Theatre
Best Musical
“Into the Woods” – MSU Department of Theatre
“Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
“Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
“Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” – Over the Ledge Theatre Co.
Best Director (Play)
Brian Farnham, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Diane Cooke, “A Piece of My Heart” - Riverwalk Theatre
Tony Caselli, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Paige Conway, “These Mortal Hosts” - Williamston Theatre
Casaundra Freeman, “The Safe House”
Best Director (Musical)
Garrett Bradley, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Brian Farnham, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” - Over the Ledge Theatre Co.
Chad Swan-Badgero, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Deric McNish, “Into the Woods” – Michigan State University Department of Theatre
Meghan Eldred-Woolsey, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
Best Musical Direction
Carl Knipe, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
John Dale Smith, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
Angie Schwab, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” – Over the Ledge Theatre Co.
Seth Burk, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Dave Wendelberger, “Into the Woods” – MSU Department of Theatre
Best Choreographer
Karyn Perry, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Erica Duffield, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Amanda Tollstam, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre – Riverwalk Theatre Co.
Brian Farnham, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” – Over the Ledge Theatre Co.
Alisa Hauser, “Into the Woods” – MSU Department of Theatre
Best Properties Design
Brandon Barker, “Frankenstein” – MSU Department of Theatre
Michael Windnagle, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Michele Raymond, “The Safe House” and “A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show” – Williamston Theatre
Brian Farnham, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Best Scenic Design
Joseph Dickson, Mary Jon, Jeff Miller, Miranda Hartmann, Brian Farnham, Adam Carlson, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” – Over the Ledge Theatre Co.
Michael Gault, “Frankenstein” – MSU Department of Theatre
Dirk Rennick and Dan Wenzlick, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Bartley H. Bauer, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Best Sound
Jason Painter Price, “900 Miles to International Falls” and “Frankenstein” – Williamston Theatre and MSU Department of Theatre
Deb Keller, “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
John Lepard, “A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show” – Williamston Theatre
Best Lighting Design
Ted Daniel, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Nick Frederick, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Rachel Lauren, “Frankenstein” – MSU Department of Theatre
Robert Fernholz, “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
Reid G. Johnson, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Best Costume Design
Ketura Le’Audrey, “Frankenstein” – MSU Department of Theatre
Chelle Peterson, “Belle Moral” and “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
Lisa Bradley, Alissa Britten, Mistie Jordan, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Camara Lewis, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Best Hair/Makeup Design
Lori Bailey-Smith and Laura Croff, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
Erica Duffield, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Chantel Booker, “Frankenstein” – MSU Department of Theatre
Gloria Vivalda, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Best Original Script
Annie Martin, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Kristine Thatcher, “The Safe House,” – Williamston Theatre
Eric Coble, “These Mortal Hosts – Williamston Theatre
Best Specialization
Andy Callis (Dialect Coach) - “Belle Moral” – LCC Department of Theatre
Deb Keller and Ashray Dravidian (Projection Design) – “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
Matt Ottinger (Video/Projection) – “A Piece of my Heart” – Riverwalk Theatre
Alison Dobbins (Projectionist) – “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Best Lead Actor (Play)
Caleb Tracy, “Belle Moral” – LCC Department of Theatre
Aral Gribble, “A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show” – Williamston Theatre
Mark Colson, “These Mortal Hosts” – Williamston Theatre
Ndegwa McCloud, “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
Best Lead Actress (Play)
Paige Tufford, “Apples in Winter” – Ixion Theatre Ensemble
Karen Sheridan, “The Safe House” – Williamston Theatre
Janet Colson, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Cassaundra Freeman, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Miah Nash, “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
Best Supporting Actor (Play)
Jesse Frawley, “Unnecessary Farce” – Riverwalk Theatre
Julian Van Dyke, “Sweat” – Riverwalk Theatre
Ben Holzhausen, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Connor Kelley, “Sweat” – Riverwalk Theatre
Jon Kent, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Best Supporting Actress (Play)
Darah Donaher, “Frankenstein” and “900 Miles to International Falls” – MSU Department of Theatre and Williamston Theatre
Heather Mahoney, “900 Miles to International Falls” – Williamston Theatre
Dani Cochrane, “The Safe House” – Williamston Theatre
Sabrina Dahlgren, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Best Featured Actor (Play)
Edward Heldt, “Sweat” – Riverwalk Theatre
Bob Purosky, “Boy Gets Girl” – Riverwalk Theatre
Best Featured Actress (Play)
Ny’kieria Blocker, “Sunset Baby” – LCC Department of Theatre
Madeline Nash, “Sweat” – Riverwalk Theatre
Best Lead Actor (Musical)
Adam Woolsey, “Cabaret” and “Pippin” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts and Riverwalk Theatre
Matthew Bill, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Sam Sommer, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Best Lead Actress (Musical)
Megan Mitchell, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Rachel Cupples, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
Amanda DeKatch, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Naomi Blansit, “Into the Woods” – MSU Department of Theatre
Best Supporting Actor (Musical)
Robert Mueller, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
Bill Henson, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Ben Cassidy, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Best Supporting Actress (Musical)
Anna Owens, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Sarah Hayner, “Pippin” - Riverwalk Theatre
Maeyson Menzel, “Into the Woods” – MSU Department of Theatre
Sally Hecksel, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Best Featured Actor (Musical)
Kevin Mazur, “Into the Woods” – MSU Department of Theatre
Michael Windnagle, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Best Featured Actress (Musical)
Oralya Garza, “Pippin” – Riverwalk Theatre
Judy Evans, “Bright Star” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Alissa Britten, “Cabaret” - Owosso’s Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts
Best Ensemble (Play)
Rick Dethlefsen, Gini Larson, Leigh Christopher, Sally Hecksel, Barbara Stauffer and Joe Clark, “The Humans” – Peppermint Creek Theatre Co.
Kelly Jo Garland, Caila Conklin, Anasti Her, Jessa Bye, Brie Roper, Ann Glenn Carlson and Tyler Frease, “A Piece of My Heart” – Riverwalk Theatre
Special Pandemic Award
To be named at ceremony
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