Black Celebs Attend 21st NAACP Theatre Awards

Loretta Devine, Isaiah Washington, Stacey Dash, Jurnee Smollett, George Wallace, Romeo Miller, Jon Huertas attend the 21st NAACP Theatre Awards

 

Diahann Carroll-Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

 

Hollywood, CA (BlackNews.com) — The Director’s Guild of America was filled with celebrities and smiles at the 21st Annual Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Awards on Monday night. The hostess Niecy Nash appeared beautifully as she opened the show with a dance number, which included MTV’s Video Music Award Nominee Jeffrey Page, Jason Samuels Smith and Chloe Arnold. Actress Jurnee Smollett and Romeo Miller presented Best Supporting Female and Male, which both categories are familiar to them. Youthful new comedian actor Brandon T. Jackson had the honor of introducing ‘Star Wars’ hero Wren T. Brown, who enjoyed the fact that he announced Obba Babatunde as this year’s Trailblazer honoree. Babatunde was also saluted by a tribute via “Chicago” The Musical Featuring “Razzle Dazzle”.

Keith Robinson announced his upcoming music single as he presented the winners from the pre-show Technical Awards which also featured actors Vik Sahay and Jaqueline Fleming. Further in the evening George Wallace brought down the house with laughter as he introduced some new jokes and then actress Diahann Caroll accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award from long time friend Billy Dee Williams. Behind the stage Isaiah Washington, Margaret Avery and Harry Lennix had conversations to catch up as long time peers. While on the stage, Orlando Jones and Stacey Dash got the audience excited as they presented Best Lead Female and Male.

Jill Marie Jones and Michole White reviewed the Theatre Festival highlights which also featured Babatunde’s salute to Sammy Davis Jr. European actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim introduced actress Loretta Devine who also was a nominee that evening for Best Musical Director. Devine presented the NAACP Theatre Spirit Award to young star Raven-Symone, who currently stars with Devine on ABC’s “State of Georgia”. Wendy Raquel Robinson got to present with old time friend and actor Dorien Wilson. Isaiah Washington presented the President’s Award to Pamela Browner White. The show continued with film stars Robinne Lee and Jon Huertas who are co-starring in “Miss Dial” together and the show closed with actors Brian White and Tatyana Ali, who both have a long standing history in theatre.

This year’s sponsors also included Southern California Edison, Nielsen, City of Los Angeles Eighth District Bernard C. Parks, Verizon, Moreno BHLV, Hollywood Weekly Magazine, Carol’s Daughter, Arlana’s Gourmet Cookies, Herradura Tequila, Brotherhood Crusade, George O’Niel, KJLH, The Kinsey Collection, Southwest Airlines and Rent A Center. The show is executive produced by Tia Boyd, was choreographed by Sakinah LeStage and musically directed by Gil Smith.

This year’s NAACP Theater Award Winners are:

Best Choreography – Equity
In The Heights – Andy

Best Choreography – Local
The Women of Brester Place, the Musical – Ameenah Kaplan

Best Costumes – Equity
Dreamgirls – William Ivey Long

Best Costumes – Local
Langston and Nicolas – Nancy Renee

Best Director – Equity
Take Me Out – Michael Matthews

Best Director – Local
The Ballad Of Emmett Till – Shirley Jo Finney

Best Director of a Musical – Equity
In The Heights – Thomas Kail

Best Director of a Musical – Local
The Women of Brewster Place, The Musical – Michael Matthews

Best Ensemble Cast – Equity
Ruined

Best Ensemble Cast – Local
Transitions

Best Lead Female – Equity
Dreamgirls – Moya Angela

Best Lead Female – Local
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf – Sonya Evans

Best Lead Male – Equity
The Whipping Man – Charlie Robinson

Best Lead Male – Local
A Soldiers Play – Obba Babatunde

Best Lighting – Equity
In The Heights – Howell Binkley

Best Lighting – Local
Pieces Of Me – Sammie Wayne

Best Music Director – Equity
In The Heights – Alex Lacamoire

Best Music Director – Local
Billie! Backstage with Lady Day – Lanny Hartley

Best One Person Show – Equity
Through the Night – Daniel Beaty

Best One Person Show – Local
Billie! Backstage with Lady Day – Synthia L. Hardy

Best Playwright – Equity
Ruined – Lynn Nottage

Best Playwright – Local
Transitions – Kellie Roberts

Best Producer – Equity
In The Heights – Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman Willis, Sander Jacobs, Goodman/Grossman, Peter Fine and Everett/Skipper

Best Producer – Local
The Reckoning – Ben Guillory and Robey Theatre Company in Assn. with Latino Theatre Company

Best Set Design – Equity
In The Heights – Anna Louizos

Best Set Design – Local
Three Sisters After Chekhov – Shaun Motley

Best Sound – Equity
In The Heights – Acme Sound Partners

Best Sound – Local
The Emperor’s Last Performance – Eric Butler

Best Supporting Female – Equity
Steel Magnolias – Baadja-Lyne

Best Supporting Female – Local
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf – Tiffany Snow

Best Supporting Male – Equity
Dreamgirls – Chester Gregory

Best Supporting Male – Local
The Emperor’s Last Performance – Robert Clements
For More Information NAACP Theatre Awards, visit:
www.bhwdnaacptheatreawards.com

For Pictures of the Show, visit:
www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=121356321#