This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, April 03, 2011 - The 2011 Kevin Kline awards came with plenty of drama. No, not because of a kerfuffle about the Professional Theatre Council revising the rules for theater companies to belong. The drama came in the winners, as the outstanding lead actress in a play went to Kari Ely for the Muddy Waters production of "Long Day's Journey Into Night," and not to Kathleen Turner for her performance in "High" at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
Indeed, it was an Ely night as she also took home honors as outstanding supporting actress in a play for HotCity's " Why Torture is Wrong, and The People Who Love Them." Were there more surprises? See a complete list of winners below.
The awards gala, held Monday night at the Loretto Hilton, took advantage of the whimsical, groovy "Beehive" set. The evening's planner and PTC board member Edward Coffield said he was very lucky to be spared the decorating expense. Dress wasn't necessarily black tie, but it was uniformly festive. And the crowd of approximately 500 matched last year's ticket sales.
The Awards
Outstanding Production for Young Audiences: (tie) Delilaha's Wish (Metro Theatre Company); The Aristocats (Stages St. Louis)
Outstanding Set Design: David Gallo (High, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
Outstanding Costume Design: John Inchiostro (Aristocats, Stages St. Louis)
Outstanding Lighting Design: John Lasiter, High (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
Outstanding Sound Design: (three-way tie) John Limpert (Outlying Islands, Upstream Theatre); Ann Slayton and Robin Weatherall (Hamlet, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis); Matthew Koch (Slasher, HotCity Theatre)
Outstanding Ensemble in a Play: The Chosen (Mustard Seed Theatre)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Jim Butz (Hamlet, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play: Kari Ely (Long Dayʼs Journey Into Night, Muddy Waters)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play: Evan Jonigkeit (High, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Kari Ely (Why Torture is Wrong, and The People Who Love Them, HotCity Theatre)
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical: Five Guys Named Moe (The Black Rep)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical: Michel Bell (Show Boat, The Muny)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical: Brandi Wooten (Promises, Promises, Stages St. Louis)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Ashley Brown (The Sound of Music, The Muny)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: Ben Nordstrom (Gutenberg! The Musical!, Temporary Theatre)
Outstanding Choreography: Mary MacLeod (Damn Yankees, The Muny)
Outstanding Director of Musical: Michael Hamilton (Promises, Promises, Stages St. Louis)
Outstanding Director of a Play: Philip Boehm (Outlying Islands, Upstream Theatre)
Outstanding New Play or Musical: David Slavitt, translator (Oedipus King, Upstream Theatre)
Outstanding Musical Direction: Charles Creath (Five Guys Named Moe, The Black Rep)
Outstanding Production of a Play: Hamlet (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis)
Outstanding Production of a Musical: Show Boat (The Muny)