The list of nominees for the annual Ovation Awards is once again overflowing with local talent.
New Westminster talents are well-represented in the nominees' list for the eighth annual awards, which recognize the best musical theatre produced in the Lower Mainland in 2011. Nominees were announced on Sunday, Jan. 15, and the awards are open for public voting until Jan. 26.
Leading the way is Light in the Piazza, produced by New Westminster's Patrick Street Productions, with eight nominations.
It's up for Outstanding Professional Production and Outstanding Director for New Westminster's Peter Jorgensen, as well as Outstanding Music Director (Sean Bayntun and Kerry O'Donovan), Outstanding Set Design (New Westminster's Lance Cardinal) and Outstanding Lighting Design (Alan Brodie).
It's also up for three performing awards. New Westminster's Katey Wright is up for Outstanding Lead Performance - Female, while Samantha Hill is up for Outstanding Supporting Performance - Female and Adrian Marchuk is up for Outstanding Supporting Performance - Male.
Also up for multiple awards is the perennial powerhouse Royal City Musical Theatre, with The Will Rogers Follies earning a nomination for Outstanding Community Production - Large Theatre. James Bryson is also up for Outstanding Music Director, with New Westminster's Chris Sinosich up for Outstanding Costume Design and Robert Sondergaard up for Outstanding Lighting Design.
Matt Palmer, who starred as Will Rogers, is up for Outstanding Lead Performance - Male.
New Westminster's Dragon Diva Operatic Theatre is nominated in the Outstanding Community Production - Small Theatre category for its production of H.M.S. Pinafore.
Local talent is also featured in the performers' categories.
Up for Outstanding Supporting Performance - Female is Colleen Winton, for her performance in Gateway Theatre's The Sound of Music.
Local performers are also vying for the Outstanding Gypsy award.
In the female category, Linzi Voth is nominated for her work in Anything Goes and The Will Rogers Follies.
In the male category, Sayer Roberts is nominated for his work in Cinderella and The Sound of Music.
You can find a full list of nominees and vote for your favourites at www. applausemusicals.com.
See www.royalcityrecord. com for a more extensive list of local connections and details about the awards gala.
