The Dora Mavor Moore Awards
June 30, 2008 @ the Winter Garden Theatre
By Matt McGeachy
Photos by John Lauener
The 29th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards were presented last Monday night at a glittering affair. It began with a VIP reception at the sumptuous Rosewater Supper Club and followed with the awards ceremony at the Winter Garden Theatre. The Awards attracted the glitterati of Toronto’s arts community, in addition to many members of the Toronto City Council, including long time arts-supporter Kyle Rae.
The Doras, which recognize excellence in theatre, dance, and opera in Toronto, are administered by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), which produced the night’s ceremony. This year the jurors had a wide field to choose from in 35 categories across five divisions; it was an amazing year for theatre in Toronto. TAPA continued the tradition of financial support by continuing with financial awards for the Independent Theatre Division, known as Bluma’s Indies after the late theatre patron Bluma Appel.
Hosted by the dazzling Sharron Matthews with special guest Thom Allison, the production, though long, was entertaining and enjoyable. On a set as gay as the Pride Parade, Matthews’ bubbling personality, flair for performance – including a potshot at Richard Ouzounian, who, she claimed, had an attention span so short that he had already written the review for the Doras – and four incredible costume changes (at one point she said, while wearing a particularly flattering dress: “My breasts are being served for dinner, lunch and breakfast!”) combined with the musical interludes of Allison, made two and a half hours fly by.
CanStage’s Fire had an excellent night with five wins, including Outstanding Production of a Musical. Modern Times Stage Company’s Waiting for Godot took two Doras in the Independent Theatre Division. In the Dance Division, Peggy Baker of Portal took two Doras for Outstanding New Choreography and Outstanding Performance. Measha Brueggergosman won for Outstanding Performance for her portrayal of Elletra in Idomeneo, but Atelier lost to the COC’s production of From the House of the Dead for Outstanding Production.
In addition to the three special awards presented at the press conference, three more awards were given to recognize outstanding contribution to theatre in Toronto. Designer Michelle Ramsay was honoured with the Pauline McGibbon Award, which is presented to a junior theatre director, designer, or production craftsperson in a three-year cycle. The award, named after former Ontario Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, comes with a cheque for $7,000. Ramsay, a lighting designer noted for her work with many independent companies in Toronto, will use the money to further her professional development.
The Silver Ticket Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Canadian Theatre was presented to translator, educator, and former artistic director of Theatre Francais de Toronto John Van Burek. Van Burek has been a passionate supporter of Canadian theatre both at home and abroad, and spoke eloquently of the need to continue advocating for Canadian theatre as a vital part of our culture. He will receive a lifetime of free tickets to shows of any TAPA member organization.
An honorary Dora was presented to The Actors’ Fund of Canada, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. The Actors’ Fund, which provides emergency financial relief to performing arts professionals, has provided assistance to over 10,000 professionals in theatre, television, and film over the course of its 50 years. The Fund is supported wholly by contributions from individuals, theatres, and professional organizations.
The 29th annual Doras were a marvelous cap to an excellent theatre season, and I’m looking forward to an even better season this coming year!
And the Dora goes to…
In the General Theatre Division
Outstanding New Play: Judith Thompson, The Palace of the End
Outstanding New Musical: Jim Le Francois and David Oiye, Arthouse Cabaret
Outstanding Production of a Play: The December Man, The Canadian Stage Company in co-production with The Citadel Theatre
Outstanding Production of a Musical: Fire, The Canadian Stage Company in co-production with The Citadel Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Play: Alisa Palmer, Top Girls
Outstanding Direction of a Musical: James MacDonald, Fire
Outstanding Performance by a Male Principal, Play: Joseph Ziegler, The Time of Your Life
Outstanding Performance by a Female Principal, Play: Lally Cadeau, Rose
Outstanding Performance by a Male Principal, Musical: Ted Dykstra, Fire
Outstanding Performance by a Female Principal, Musical: Nicole Underhay, Fire
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Role in a Play or Musical: Stuart Hughes, The Time of Your Life
Outstanding Set Design: Camellia Koo, East of Berlin
Outstanding Costume Design: Tamara Marie Kucheran, Intimate Apparel
Outstanding Lighting Design: Andrea Lundy, The Eco Show
Outstanding Sound Design/Composition: Mike Ross, Under Milk Wood
Outstanding Musical Direction: Ted Dykstra, Fire
Outstanding Choreography in a Play or Musical: Lizt Alfonso, VIDA!
Outstanding Touring Production: The Drowsy Chaperone, DanCap Productions Inc.
In the Independent Theatre Division
Outstanding New Play or Musical: Anusree Roy, Pyaasa
Outstanding Production: Waiting for Godot, Modern Times Stage Company
Outstanding Direction: Soheil Parsa, Waiting for Godot
Outstanding Performance by a Male: Nicco Lorenzo Garcia, People Power
Outstanding Performance by a Female: Anusree Roy, Pyaasa
Outstanding Set Design: Trevor Schwellnus, Madre
Outstanding Costume Design: Astrid Janson and Sarah Armstrong, Laurier
Outstanding Lighting Design: Michelle Ramsay, April 14, 1912
Outstanding Sound Design/Composition: Thomas Ryder Payne, Madre
In the Dance Division
Outstanding New Choreography: Peggy Baker, Portal
Outstanding Production: Chapel/Chapter, Harbourfront Centre
Outstanding Performance: Peggy Baker, Portal
Outstanding Sound Design/Composition: Charles Hong, Joo Hyung Kim, Sosun Suh, Choonengmu (part of the 2008 CanAsian Dance Festival)
In the Theatre for Young Audiences Divison
Outstanding Production: Love You Forever… and More Munsch, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Outstanding Performance: Kyle Cameron, Cranked
In the Opera Division
Outstanding Performance: Measha Brueggergosman, Idomeneo
Outstanding Production: From the House of the Dead, Canadian Opera Company
