Norton awards honor Martin as he exits Huntington's stage
The Elliot Norton Awards were largely split among various local companies last night, with Boston Theatre Works and New Repertory Theatre making especially strong showings. And befitting an event slated to include a sendoff to Huntington Theatre Company artistic director Nicholas Martin, his staging of the Noel Coward comedy "Present Laughter" snagged three prizes, including best production by a large company.
"My Fair Lady," presented by Broadway Across America, was the big winner among touring shows, for outstanding visiting production and for Lisa O'Hare, whose Eliza Doolittle won the outstanding musical performance award.
The Sanders Theatre ceremony, marking the 26th annual Norton awards, included a prize for sustained excellence to Martin, who is leaving the Huntington this month. After eight years at the helm, Martin, 69, will take over as artistic director at the Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer.
The StageSource Theatre Hero Award, given to an individual or organization who has demonstrated commitment and service to the Boston theater community, went to SpeakEasy Stage Company. SpeakEasy artistic director Paul Daigneault also won the outstanding director award for a midsize company for his work on "Parade," "Some Men," and "Zanna, Don't!"
For Boston Theatre Works, staging the two-part "Angels in America" was an ambitious endeavor - an effort rewarded with three prizes. The show was named outstanding production by a small theater, and co-directors Jason Southerland and Nancy Curran Willis shared the prize for outstanding director in a small or fringe company. Maurice E. Parent, who played the flamboyant Belize, won best actor in his category for that role and for parts in "The Wild Party" at New Rep and "Some Men" at SpeakEasy.
New Rep's production of Sarah Ruhl's "The Clean House" was named outstanding production by a midsize company and won an award for its design. The Huntington's "Present Laughter" took equivalent awards for a large company.
Boston favorite Nancy E. Carroll was named outstanding actress in a large company for a supporting role in "Present Laughter" and for playing the late mother of an Irish immigrant in Ronan Noone's "Brendan," mounted by the Huntington at its second stage.
Max Wright took outstanding actor in a large company for "No Man's Land" at the American Repertory Theatre. David Wheeler was named outstanding director, large company, for the production of Harold Pinter's play.
The ART also took the outstanding musical production prize for the revue "A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Celebration." New York- based theater artist Nilaja Sun received outstanding solo performance for "No Child . . .," also at the ART.
New to the Norton list was Way Theatre Artists, which collaborated with Zeitgeist Stage Company on "The Kentucky Cycle," the outstanding production by a fringe company.
Actress Rachel Harker was honored for her work at a small/midsize company for "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "A Pinter Duet" at New Rep, and "The Cutting" at Stoneham Theatre.
The award for outstanding new script went to Paul Grellong for "Radio Free Emerson" at Pawtucket's Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre. Patti Colombo received the choreography prize for "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at North Shore Music Theatre.
Amid the scheduled celebration last night, the crowd paused to pay tribute to local actor Phil Patrone, 48, who died this year after a six-month battle with lung cancer. Patrone received a Norton award for his acting in 2001.
