In a move that marks a significant evolution in the local arts landscape, the inaugural Windsor-Essex Critic’s Choice Theatre Awards have unveiled their nominees, spotlighting a year of outstanding theatrical works. This event, originally envisioned as the Windsor-Essex Theatre Awards, has undergone a transformation in both name and concept, now shining a light on selections made by evaluating editorial reviews, further enriched by audience perspectives culled from social media platforms.
At the forefront of this year’s nominees is the classic “Guys and Dolls” from Arts Collective Theatre, securing a remarkable 11 nominations. This figure stands as a testament to the production’s impeccable execution and its timeless appeal. Not far behind is the ever-popular “The Rocky Horror Show”, staged by Korda Artistic Productions, which has garnered eight nominations, underscoring its enduring cult status and its boundary-pushing staging. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” from Windsor Light Music Theatre (WLMT) brings a touch of enchantment to the nominee list with seven nods, while both “The Sound of Music,” from WLMT beloved for generations, and the more contemporary “The Prom” from Cardinal Music Productions, each earn six nominations. This diverse array of nominees reflects the broad spectrum of tastes among critics and audiences alike.
“The real story here is how these awards have adapted in their inaugural year to mirror the evolving dynamics of modern theatre and the shifting preferences of audiences,” said Dan Savoie from 519 Magazine. “You see it in the wide range of productions like ‘The Play That Goes Wrong (University Players),’ ‘Hangmen (Post Productions),’ ‘The Best Man (Korda Artistic Productions),’ ‘First Night (Post Productions),’ and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Cardinal Music Productions),’ each of which secured five nominations each. It’s a testament to the eclectic tastes that define our local theatre scene.”
This year, two prestigious awards will each find a singular home. The Outstanding Youth Company of the Year, a salute to theatrical brilliance, is deservedly awarded to Revolution Youth Theatre. Their dedication to cultivating the next generation of stage talent has been exemplary. Additionally, we introduce the John H. L. Watson Meritorious Award, a homage to the visionary who founded The Windsor Light Opera Association and Windsor Light Music Theatre in 1948. In celebrating 75 years of spectacular theatre in Windsor, it is fitting that Windsor Light Music Theatre is chosen to inaugurate this legacy award.
As the community eagerly anticipates the announcement of the winners in the February 2024 issue, there’s a sense of excitement and anticipation among theatre enthusiasts and professionals. This innovative editorial approach, weaving together critical reviews and social media reactions, is setting a new benchmark in celebrating theatrical excellence. It brings a fresh and inclusive lens to the awards, one that aptly reflects the evolving nature of theatre and audience engagement.
“2023 was such an exciting and well-produced year for theatre that we felt it was time someone took the time and energy to start an awards program,” Savoie added. “What we start here today is just the beginning of recognizing the incredible theatre arts scene we have in Windsor-Essex and I hope we can add more categories in the future to recognize youth, dance and other forms of performing arts. I know that just a hint of recognition each year will drive the quality and quantity of theatre we see in the region and I look forward to seeing what Windsor can do.”
Looking ahead to future years, organizers of the Windsor-Essex Critic’s Choice Theatre Awards harbor an ambitious plan to elevate the event into a live spectacle, thereby enhancing its significance and impact within the arts community. “This initiative is more than just an awards ceremony; it’s about building a legacy that will nurture and showcase the theatrical talent in Windsor-Essex for years to come,” he added.
The launch of these awards marks a new chapter in the region’s theatrical history, one where the synergy of critical acclaim and an audience voice plays a pivotal role in shaping Windsor-Essex’s cultural narrative.
The 2024 Nominees’ are:
Best Play:
The Play That Goes Wrong – University Players
Hangmen – Post Productions
The Best Man – Korda Artistic Productions
First Night – Post Productions
Best Musical:
St. Clair Holiday Special – St. Clair College
The Prom – Cardinal Music Productions
The Rocky Horror Show – Korda Artistic Productions
Guys and Dolls – Arts Collective Theatre
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Windsor Light Music Theatre
Best Director (Play/Musical):
Joseph Cardinal – The Prom
Joey Wright & Christopher Lawrence Menard – The Best Man
Fay Lynn – Hangmen
Alice Nelson – The Play That Goes Wrong
Chris Rabideau – Guys and Dolls
Best Actor in a Theatrical Role (Play):
Joey Ouellette – The Case of the Odd Shaped Gas Tanks
Joey Wright – The Best Man
Nikolas Prša – The Best Man
Michael K. Potter – First Night
Joey Ouellette – Mirabella
Luke Boughner – Hangmen
Best Actor in a Musical Role (Musical):
Benjamin Doncom – The Rocky Horror Show
Kyle Cloutier – Guys and Dolls
Jim Walls – Guys and Dolls
Aaron Bergeron – The Prom
Joey Wright – The Rocky Horror Show
Brian Yeomans – The Sound of Music
Andy Carscadden – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Caiden Finlay – Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Brandon Presley – Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Best Actress in a Theatrical Role (Play):
Rebecca S. Mickle – Walking Upsidedown Underwater
Lexie Farrer – She Kills Monsters
Mary Grace Weir – The Children
Fay Lynn – Walking Upsidedown Underwater
Fay Lynn – First Night
Brianna Morneau – Walking Upsidedown Underwater
Best Actress in a Musical Role (Musical):
Charlotte Salisbury – The Prom
Norma Coleman – The Prom
Natalie Vriesen – The Rocky Horror Show
Flo Ndimubandi – Guys and Dolls
Avonlea Smith – Guys and Dolls
Krystal Laframboise – The Sound of Music
Evangeline Scott – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Lesley Andrew – The Sound of Music
Melissa Mills – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Best Cast Ensemble:
The Play That Goes Wrong – University Players
Rocky Horror Show – Korda Artistic Productions
The Sound of Music – Windsor Light Music Theatre
Guys and Dolls – Arts Collective Theatre: ACT Windsor
Best Newcomer:
Kevin Doak – Director, Wicked Women of Windsor
Best Set Design:
The Play That Goes Wrong – University Players
Rocky Horror Show – Korda Artistic Productions
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Windsor Light Music Theatre
Best Costume Design:
Guys and Dolls – Arts Collective Theatre
The Play That Goes Wrong – University Players
The Rocky Horror Show – Korda Artistic Productions
The Sound of Music – Windsor Light Music Theatre
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Windsor Light Music Theatre
Best Lighting/Sound Design:
Guys and Dolls – Arts Collective Theatre
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Cardinal Music Productions
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Windsor Light Music Theatre
The Rocky Horror Show – Korda Artistic Productions
Best Innovation by a Windsor-Essex Resident or Company:
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Cardinal Music Productions
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Windsor Light Music Theatre
The Play That Goes Wrong – University Players
Best Original Script by a Windsor-Essex Playwright:
The Best Man by Christopher Lawrence Menard
Mirabella by Joey Ouellette
Walking Upsidedown Underwater by Edele Winnie
The Case of the Odd Shaped Gas Tanks by Joey Ouellette
Best Poster:
Guys and Dolls – Arts Collective Theatre
Hangmen – Post Productions
The Prom – Cardinal Music Productions
First Night – Post Productions
Best Program:
First Night – Post Productions
Guys and Dolls – Arts Collective Theatre
The Sound of Music – Windsor Light Music Theatre
Hangmen – Post Productions
Outstanding Youth Company of the Year:
Revolution Youth Theatre
John H. L. Watson Meritorious Award
Windsor Light Theatre
