A whole lot of queers got some good news recently when the nominees for the 35th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards were announced.
Buddies in Bad Times’ controversial production of UK playwright Tim Luscombe’s Pig snagged a nod for both Outstanding Production and New Play. The edgy look at the dark side of gay SM culture proved too hot for UK theatres, but Luscombe found an ally in artistic director Brendan Healy, who gave the script its world premiere. Healy also walked away with a nod for direction. Actor Bruce Dow has the chance to pull a hat-trick with a nomination for his role in the show, following up on his win for last year’s Of a Monstrous Child.
Also at Buddies, The Gay Heritage Project was nominated for New Play. Creators Damien Atkins, Andrew Kushnir and Paul Dunn got a collective nod for Performance Ensemble. Atkins will also compete with Dow in the acting category for his role in Soulpepper Theatre’s production of Tony Kushnir’s seven-hour AIDS epic Angels in America.
In the Independent Theatre division, Jordan Tannahill’s company, Suburban Beast, was nominated for their production of Sheila Heti’s All Our Happy Days Are Stupid. Heti also received a nod for her script, as did the acting ensemble for their work in the show. The news comes just days after the exciting announcement that the show will have its American premiere at NYC space The Kitchen in 2015.
In the Musical Theatre and Opera Division, writer/composer Rob Kempson was nominated for his new show The Way Back to Thursday. Not content with his multiple nominations in the General Division, Damien Atkins also got a nod for his performance in Canadian Stage’s London Road. Celebrated soprano Adrianne Pieczonka was also acknowledged in the performance division for her role in Un ballo in maschera.
In the Dance Division, Louis Laberge-Côté was nominated for Outstanding Choreography and Performance for his piece …et même après. He’ll have to duke it out with his husband, Michael Caldwell, however, who also got a nod for his performance in the same piece.
Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Mon, June 23
Pre-show VIP reception, 5:30–7pm
Harbourfront Centre Lakeside Terrace
Awards show, 7:30pm
Harbourfront Centre WestJet Stage
After-party, 10:30pm
World Café (beside the lake at Harbourfront Centre)
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W
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