TIMES THEATRE TRIBUTES for 2001
Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)
--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News--Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times

Greater Cleveland is blessed with a vital theatre scene. Unfortunately, the local performers, directors and technicans often get little acknowledgment. It is the purpose of the TIMES THEATRE TRIBUTES to recognize theatrical experiences that, in the mind of this reviewer, were excellent. No attempt is being made to name the best in each classification. Actors were not separated by gender
or leading or supporting roles. It is also recognized that I did not see all of the productions in the area, so only shows I reviewed are included. Selections are limited to locally produced performances, so none of the touring shows are recognized. Plays performed
during the year 2001 were considered.

Thanks to the following for making the theatre scene in the Cleveland area vital and exciting.

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 for an Outstanding Production to:
ART--Cleveland Play House
BIG RIVER--Porthouse Theatre
MASTER CLASS--Beck Center
ONE FLEA SPARE--Cleveland Public Theatre
ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT--Actors' Summit
STEEL MAGNOLIAS--Porthouse Theatre
THE GIN GAME--Ensemble Theatre
THE LARAMIE PROJECT--Dobama Theatre

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 for Outstanding Acting to:
Ensemble Cast--LARAMIE PROJECT (Dobama Theatre)
Dan Folino--HEDWIG (Cleveland Public Theatre)
Kris Furlan--STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Porthouse Theatre)
Mike Hartman--ART (Cleveland Play House)
Perren Henderson--REFUGE (Dobama Theate)
Todd Kripinsky--THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (Dobama Theatre)
James Lecesne--WORD OF MOUTH (Cleveland Public Theatre)
Stanley Wayne Mathis-- BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY (Cleveland Play House)
Andrew May--I HATE HAMLET (Cleveland Play House) & ART (Cleveland Play House)
Scott Plate--VISITING MR. GREEN (Halle Theatre)
Craig Recko--JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Berea Summer Theatre)
David Robeano--EATING RAOUL (Beck Center)
Dorothy Silver--THE GIN GAME (Ensemble Theatre) & MASTER CLASS (Beck Center)
Reuben Silver--THE GIN GAME (Ensemble Theatre) & VISITING MR. GREEN (Halle Theatre)
Courtney Schloss--ONE FLEA SPARE (Cleveland Public Theatre)
Sean Sullivan--ONE FLEA SPARE (Cleveland Public Theatre)
Andy Tarr--BIG RIVER (Porthouse Theatre)
Wayne Turney--THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT (Actors' Summit)
Greg Violand--THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT (Actors' Summit)

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 for Outstanding Directing to:
Michael Bogdanov--LONE STAR LOVE (Great Lakes Theatre Festival)
Peter Hackett--ART (Cleveland Play House)
Joel Hammer--LARAMIE PROJECT (Dobama)
Terri Kent--BIG RIVER (Porthouse)
Fred Sternfeld--THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Cain Park)
Dorothy Silver--VISITING MR. GREEN (Halle Theatre)
Reuben Silver--MASTER CLASS (Beck)
Roger Truesdell--SAFETY (Dobama)

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 for Outstanding Choreography to:
Randy Skinner--LONE STAR LOVE (Great Lakes Theatre Festival)
Eric Van Baars--BIG RIVER (Porthouse)

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 for Outstanding Musical Direction to:
Lawrence Hartzell--BIG RIVER (Porthouse) & Sound Of Music (Cain Park)
Jack Herrick---LONE STAR LOVE (Great Lakes Theatre Festival)

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 for Outstanding Technical Achievement to:
Felix Cochren--BLUES FOR AN ALBAMA SKY (Cleveland Play House)--Set and Costume Design
Jeff Hermann--SOUND OF MUSIC (Cain Park)--Set Design
James Scott--GYPSY (Great Lakes Theatre Festival)--Costume Design

A Times Theatre Tribute 2001 to:
John Nolan for his efforts in reviving The Berea Summer Theatre