Thursday, March 8, 2007; GZ14
Silver Spring Stage captured two of the top honors at the seventh annual Washington Area Theatre Community Honors on Sunday night at the Birchmere music hall in Alexandria during a celebration of the work of 26 area theater companies.
The Silver Spring group, which specializes in intimate contemporary plays, was recognized for staging the Outstanding Play last year, "Coyote on a Fence." The stark drama from playwright Bruce Graham takes place on death row where two inmates, a liberal political activist and a white supremacist, overcome their differences to strike up an unusual friendship. Darius Suziedelis, who portrayed racist Bobby Reyburn, received the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play award.
Noting that theater companies are facing heightened economic pressures and new challenges for the attention of audiences, Suziedelis said: "We really appreciate the opportunity to be able to perform contemporary theater, and I hope that Silver Spring Stage will be able to continue supporting this kind of work that's so important."
Kensington Arts Theatre, which mounts ambitious musical productions, was recognized with an honor in one category, winning the Outstanding Costume Design award for "Assassins" by Stephen Sondheim. The show is a dark and gripping look at the violent undercurrent in American life.
Rockville Musical Theatre also took home one award for its production of "The Full Monty." Liz Weber received the Outstanding Featured (or supporting) Actress in a Musical award for her portrayal of Jeanette Burmeister.
Last year, 25 musicals and 71 plays were produced by WATCH member companies in Maryland, Virginia and the District. For a complete list of the winners in all categories, go to http://www.washingtontheater.org.
-- MICHAEL TOSCANO
