Foothill theater groups rack up Elly nominations

Quest Theaterworks, LeGacy Presents, Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra and the Nevada County Performing Arts Guild were among the foothill theater groups nominated for the 35th annual Elly awards — reaffirming the growth in innovative community theater.

All told, 420 Elly nominees were announced on Sunday in midtown Sacramento. During the 2016-17 season 244 shows were submitted by 77 theaters. Fifty seven theaters and 114 productions received nominations. Named for the late Eleanor McClatchy, a devoted patron of the arts and former publisher of the Sacramento Bee, the Elly Awards celebrate excellence and the outstanding achievements of community theaters and artists in the greater Sacramento area.

Quest Theaterworks received six nominations, including two nominations for best overall production in drama for two shows: The Good Body and Zoo Story. Both were performed at the 3rd annual Nugget Fringe Festival in western Nevada County in 2017. “It’s theater unleashed,” as Scott Ewing, producer of the festival and artistic director of Quest Theaterworks, said in last fall’s edition of our magazine, which circulates throughout the region, including Sacramento.

Quest’s other nominations were Scott Ewing for best direction in Zoo Story; Sharon Winegar for best direction in The Good Body; Lois Ewing for leading female in The Good Body; and Chase Coney for leading male in Zoo Story; 

Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra received four nominations for White Snake in comedy. They were Oliva Pritchett, supporting female; Jill Kelly, costume design; Tim Dugan, lightening design; and Tynowyn Woolman, sound design.

LeGacy Presents received four nominations for Scrooge in drama. They were Sharon Sciabica, costume design; Les Solomon, lighting design; Rodger Hoopman, set design; and Rob Knable and Warren Harrison, sound design.

The Nevada County Performing Arts Guild received one nomination in youth theater production: Jeannine Watson for costume design of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Big Idea Theatre, Roseville Theatre Arts Academy, and Sutter Street Theatre have appeared in the top six listing of theaters receiving the most Elly nominations.

In honor of the 35th annual Elly Awards, SARTA will be hosting two ceremonies this September. The Youth Elly Award ceremony will be on Sunday, September 10, at 7 p.m. at Cosumnes Oaks High School Performing Arts Center in Elk Grove. Tickets for the Youth Ellys go on sale on Monday, August 14, at 8 a.m. at www.brownpapertickets.com.

The Adult Elly Award ceremony will be on Sunday, September 24 at 7pm at The Center at 2300 Sierra Blvd in Sacramento. Adult Elly tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 5, at 8 a.m. at www.brownpapertickets.com. These award ceremonies have sold out in the past, so purchase tickets early.

For more information, please visit www.sarta.com or call 916-443-8229. SARTA is a non-profit theatre arts service organization.

(Photo: David Wong)