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Citations of Excellence Recipients (2001)
LIVE THEATRE CATEGORY
(Recorded Media Category)




 Anansi, Spiderman of Africa!
Review panelists said:
". . . with its beautifully researched and realized hand-batiked scenery, its homage-ic, yet imaginative puppets, its clever and humorous script, its well-chosen tales (from the many available), and its masterful performance style, this show is a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary. Crowd--pleasing for both children and adults." I am honored to present the Uni to Bonny Hall and Jamie Keithline of Crabgrass Puppet Theater for their production "Anansi, Spiderman of Africa!"


also by Crabgrass Theater...
Bremen Town Musicians (2005)

Anansi, Spiderman of Africa!
Bonny Hall and Jamie Keithline - Crabgrass Puppet Theater

 The Beanstalk Variations
Review panelists said:
"This production once again demonstrates John and Carol Farrell's unique, clever approach to dramatic material."

also by Figures of Speech...
Anerca (1985-86)
Nightingale (1997)
The Beanstalk Variations

 Doctor Kronopolis and the TimeKeeper Chronicles; A Space Opera
(no review panelists' comments available) Dr. Kronopolis and the TimeKeeper Chronicles
J.E.Cross and The Cosmic Bicycle Theatre

 God Mother Radio
Review panelists said:
"Brilliant performance and concept, paralleling Serbian ethnic cleansing with that of Catholics in the 18th Century. . . Innovative, with puppets as passive participants."

also by Roman Paska...
Line of Flight (1983-84)
Uccelli: The Drugs of Love (1990-91)
End of the World (1992-93)
Ghost Sonata (1994-95)

Roman Paska and Massimo Schuster
Roman Paska and Massimo Schuster

 Hunchback
Review panelists said:
"Superb direction, acting, and music, this show, with a large cast, blending people, puppets and masks, is bold and engaging."
Hunchback
created by Jim Lasko - Redmoon Theater

 Kwaidan
Review panelists said:
"Stunning design, dazzling special effects, brilliant conception with innovative visual perspectives-spellbinding."

also by the Center for Puppetry Arts...
Duke Ellington's Cat (2008)
American Tall Tales (2005)
The Plant Doctor (2001)
Kwaidan
Jon Ludwig, Ping Chong and Mitsuru Ishii - Center for Puppetry Arts

 The Old Man Who Made Trees Blossom
Review panelists said:
"This is a touching tale of jealousy, grief, evil, joy and triumph. This almost wordless tale was performed using puppets and props made of rice paper. Each character was unique in look, sound and movement. The performance brought me to tears both times I saw it."
The Old Man Who Made Trees Blossom
Mary Robinette Harrison and Jodi Eichelberger - Other Hand Productions

 Petrushka
Basil Twist, who dazzled both audiences and critics, and received an Uni for his production of Symphonie Fantastique, has done it again with his interpretation of a classic ballet with music by Igor Stravinsky, performed Bunraku-style, with twin pianists playing their own two-piano arrangement of the score.

also by Basil Twist...
The Araneidae Show and Other Pieces (1997)
Symphonie Fantastique (1999)
Behind the Lid (2008)
Petrushka
Basil Twist

 The Plant Doctor
Review panelists said:
" . . . Under Jon Ludwig's direction, a "visual shout" of an environment was created to present science information to a broad range audience. The highly dense dialogue carries a mass of scientific data. Hand puppets, rod puppets, body puppets, actors with masks, shadow scenes and assorted articulated scenery turn the stage into a continuous moving adventure of plot-carrying information. . . A wide variety of performance styles made the show satisfying to learning as well as entertainment."

also by the Center for Puppetry Arts...
Kwaidan (2001)
American Tall Tales (2005)
Duke Ellington's Cat (2008)
The Plant Doctor

 Salome by Oscar Wilde
Review panelists said:
"This was the ultimate scarf marionette production. While the concept, staging and manipulation were superb, they were a mere background to the characterization and depth of emotion created through the dramatic telling of this ageless story."

also by Hanne Tierney...
ABC and Variations on a Theme (1984-85)
Flatlands: A Romance of Many Dimensions (1997)
The Seagull (1997)

 Salome by Oscar Wilde
Hanne Tierney with Jane Wang and Sabir Mateen

 Sleeping Beauty
Review panelists said:
"This show represents the kind of show we hope people see. Excellent Puppetry that infects the audience with fun. Lots of laughs, everyone was pleased".

also by Paul Mesner...
Wiley and the Hairy Man (1991-92)
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf (2008)
Sleeping Beauty

 Street of Blood
Review panelists said:
"The design of his puppets and puppet costumes create a strong visual message that begins the drama before a word is spoken or a string is touched. Ronnie's voices and marionette manipulation create characterizations of great range and depth, and subtlety. Working as a solo artist, he is able to act many parts, giving each puppet a clear and distinct personality. The shows are directed with great style and pacing that hold the audience from beginning to end. The writing of his marionette plays have been recognized by Canada's highest play writing award. . . . He uses his outstanding abilities as a puppeteer to fearlessly explore profound and complex issues and emotions. For this reason, above all others, I feel he deserves this award; for using his superb gifts to extend the dramatic range of puppet theater. In this respect, I think that Ronnie Burkett stands alone."

also by Ronnie Burkett, Theatre of Marionettes...
Tinka's New Dress (1999)
Ten Days on Earth (2007)
Edna from Street of Blood
Created and performed by Ronnie Burkett - Ronnie Burkett, Theatre of Marionettes

 Toy Theater Peony Pavilion
Review panelists said:
"This beautifully designed show effectively combined live actors, puppets and toy theater. Each was a separate "world," and so it all worked together. The folktale was a moving one, as well. Love triumphed in the end."
Toy Theater Peony Pavilion
Director, Writer and Performer Kuang-Yu Fong
Design and performance by Stephen Kaplin and Richard Chang
Music performed by Baogang Liu, Karen Wong and Zhongxi Wu - Chinese Theatre Workshop,

 Walidad the Grass Cutter
Review panelists said:
"This is village storytelling raised to a level of great artistry. Expressive, tender manipulation, with fine acting, great humor, comely and moving story performed with understated elegance."

Also by Puppetmongers Theatre...
The Miller and His Wife (1977-78)
Bed and Breakfast (1985-86)
Tea at the Palace (1994-95)

Walidad the Grasscutter
Ann Powell, David Powell and Sharon Weisbaum - Puppetmongers Theatre
 

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