Performing artists in the Milwaukee area were recognized for their work this year at the first-ever Footlights Performing Arts Awards on Thursday evening.
The ceremony, held at Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Quadracci Powerhouse, was sponsored by United Performing Arts Fund and featured local actor and television personality John McGivern as its host.
“We want to give both artists and audiences something beyond a Footlights program, to help them remember the outstanding performances we see on stage every season,” said Steve Marcus, president and founder of Marcus Promotions, the publisher of Footlights playbills. “And thus—the Footlights Performing Arts Awards were born.”
Thirty-two nominees were awarded in 16 categories, with both professional and non-professional artists being recognized.
Winners included:
Best Choreography (Professional): Ryan Cappleman, The Pirates of Penzance
Best Choreography (Non-Professional): Melissa Bloch-Meier, Chicago
Best Costume Design (Professional): Chris March, La Cage Aux Folles
Best Costume Design (Non-Professional): Rhonda Schmidt, Anything Goes
Best Technical Design, Lighting and Sound (Professional): David Gipson, Beauty and the Beast
Best Technical Design, Lighting and Sound (Non-Professional): Katrina Smith, Little Shop of Horrors
Best Scenic Design (Professional): Todd Edward Ivins, A Christmas Carol
Best Scenic Design (Non-Professional): Roger F. Bochek, My Fair Lady
Best Direction (Professional): Mary MacDonald Kerr, Luna Gale
Best Direction (Non-Professional): Jerry Becker, Beauty and the Beast
Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Play (Professional): Marques Causey, Luna Gale
Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Play (Non-Professional): Sam Ellis Sherman, Wonderland
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Play (Professional): Rana Roman, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Play (Non-Professional): Ruth Arnell, 33 Variations
Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Musical (Professional): Shawn Holmes, La Cage Aux Folles
Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Musical (Non-Professional): Thomas Hess, Young Frankenstein
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Musical (Professional): Angela Iannone, Ernest in Love
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Musical (Non-Professional): Katie Katschke, Fiddler on the Roof
Best Leading Performance by a Male in a Play (Professional): Anthony Crivello, McGuire
Best Leading Performance by a Male in a Play (Non-Professional): Nicholas Callan Haubner, The Odd Couple
Best Leading Performance by a Female in a Play (Professional): Jenny Wanasek, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Best Leading Performance by a Female in a Play (Non-Professional): Beth Perry, 33 Variations
Best Leading Performance by a Male in a Musical (Professional): Ray Jivoff, La Cage Aux Folles
Best Leading Performance by a Male in a Musical (Non-Professional): Ryan Charles, Jesus Christ Superstar
Best Leading Performance by a Female in a Musical (Professional): Allie Babich, Violet
Best Leading Performance by a Female in a Musical (Non-Professional): Marann K. Curtis, Grease
Best Performance (Professional): Zie Magic Flute, Milwaukee Opera Theatre and Quasimondo Physical Theatre
Best Performance (Non-Professional): Comicality 2017, Hartford Players
Best Play (Professional): Fences, Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Best Play (Non-Professional): 33 Variations, Waukesha Civic Theatre
Best Musical (Professional): La Cage Aux Folles, Skylight Music Theatre
Best Musical (Non-Professional): My Fair Lady, Falls Patio Players
