From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2, Column 240, Connecticut Critic's Circle Honors Artists of the 2019-20 Theater Season

By James V. Ruocco

In recognition of the 2019-20 Regional Theater season in Connecticut, the Connecticut Critic's Circle has named the recipients honored for excellence and dedication in work that was showcased throughout the year before it was eventually shortened in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every year, members of the Connecticut Critic's Circle salute the outstanding work of artists from several professional regional theater venues including Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Music Theatre of Connecticut and Yale Rep.

"We wanted to recognize outstanding productions and performers during the abbreviated season," explains Stuart Brown, President of the Connecticut Critic's Circle. "Instead of our usual process of putting together a slate of nominations for various categories and selecting winners, the organization decided to come up with a list of superior performances and artistic contributions.

"The CCC wanted to differentiate this year's awards - our 30th anniversary year - since approximately one-third of the season was cancelled, and, therefore, not eligible for recognition."

The final voting process  - following previous nomination submissions by members of the Connecticut Critic's Circle - and the selection of honorees was implemented by a special five-member CCC committee.

Their choices are as follows:

Play

"Quixote Nuevo" (Hartford Stage)

"Mlima's Tale"  (Westport Country Playhouse)

Musical

"Ragtime" (Music Theatre of Connecticut)

Direction of a Play

KJ Sanchez ("Quixote Nuevo") (Hartford Stage)

Mark Lamos ("Mlima's Tale") (Westport Country Playhouse)

Direction of a Musical

Kevin Connors ("Ragtime") (Music Theatre of Connecticut)

Actor in a Play

Emilio Delgado (Don Quixote and Jose Quijano in "Quixote Nuevo") (Hartford Stage)

Actor in a Musical

Ezekiel Andrew (Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in "Ragtime") (Music Theatre of Connecticut)

Actress in a Play

Ami Brabson (Kendra in "American Son") (TheaterWorks/Hartford)

Helen Sadler (Jane Eyre in "Jane Eyre") (Hartford Stage)

Featured Actor in a Play

Juan Manuel Amador (Sancho Panza and Manny Dias in "Quixote Nuevo") (Hartford Stage)

Featured Actor in a Musical

Ivory McKay (Mr. Bones in "The Scottsboro Boys") (Playhouse on Park)

Featured Actress in a Play

Margot White (Judy in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time") (Connecticut Repertory Theatre)

Featured Actress in a Musical

Dee Hoty (Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret") (Connecticut Repertory Theatre)

Lesli Margherita (Phyllis in "The Flamingo Kid") (Hartford Stage)

Ensemble

Rufus Collins, Tasha Lawrence, Nick LaMedica

"The Lifespan of a Fact" (TheaterWorks/Hartford)

Theatre Debut

Tyler Nowakowski (Christopher in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time") (Connecticut Repertory Theatre)

Choreography of a Musical

Denis Jones ("The Flamingo Kid") (Hartford Stage)

Sound Design

Jason Peck ("Birds of America") (Thrown Stone) 

Costume Design

Rachel Healey ("Quixote Nuevo") (Hartford Stage)

Lighting Design

Isabella Byrd ("Mlima's Tale") (Westport Country Playhouse)

Scenic Design

Britton Mauk ("I Am My Own Wife") (Long Wharf Theatre)

Projections

Yana Birykova ("Mlima's Tale") (Westport Country Playhouse)

Special Award

Bowdie - The Dog ("Because of Winn Dixie") (Goodspeed Musicals)

Jermaine Rowe (Mlima in "Mlima's Tale") (Westport Country Playhouse)

The annual ceremony, originally scheduled for June 29th at New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre, has been cancelled. In its place, an online presentation is being developed and planned for later this summer.