Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
The cast of 'The Wiz', which won six awards, performs at the Actor Boy Awards Gala, held at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, on Tuesday. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE JAMAICA Musical Theatre Company's (JMTC) production of the Broadway musical The Wiz pulled more than a rabbit from its hat on Tuesday night when it clicked its heels and waltzed down the yellow brick road with six awards. Of course, these included being dubbed the Best Production of 2005.
The 2005 Actor Boy Awards was once again staged at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue and 19 awards were distributed.
The night also included a tribute and Special Actor Boy Award to Leonie Forbes, and later a special acknowledgement of Christine Bell for her work with the awards.
Ashe delivered Seasons of Hope from Rent in tribute to Hope Stewart and Joseph Robinson, who died last year. The Wiz had shared the highest number of nominations with Jamaica 2 Rahtid, each having received 10 nominations.
MAIN PRODUCTIONS
Tuesday night's awards were largely split among three productions, with The Black That I Am and Jamaica 2 Rahtid, with four awards each, joining The Wiz as the night's major winners.
Yet, at the start of the night it seemed that The Wiz would let no other into the winnings, as they earned the first four awards.
Robin Batson, who then had to pull double duty between organising the show and being an award recipient, earned three of those five, which came in the technical arts segment for best set design, best lighting and best special effects. Carolyn Chin Yee with best costume and Paula Shaw with best choreography also added to the loot.
The night was hosted by Michael Nicholson, who had also been one of the night's nominees for his direction of Jamaica 2 Rahtid.
His presentation was less than flawless, as he had a tendency to get the script wrong. Fortunately, his skills also include performance and, as such, he tended to make his errors flow into comedy and thus it added to the enjoyment.
ADDING FASHION
As a part of its attempt to add to its prestige, the awards have also been attempting to bring the fashion industry into its fold by donning presenters in their garbs.
Yet the shameless name dropping of which designers presenters were wearing was a little too obvious marketing ploy. Nonetheless, there were some particularly dapper suits, not all of which were from the named designers, which graced the stage on Tuesday night.
Interestingly, of the night's major winners only Jamaica 2 Rahtid, which was also celebrating its 150th performance, would have been seen by most of the public.
The Wiz ran only for several weeks while The Black That I Am, staged by the University Players had an even shorter run.
Nonetheless by earning the awards for best drama, pushing aside Hot Spot, Matters Arising and Who Will Sing For Lena?, as well as best new Jamaican play, The Black That I Am, put two enormous feathers in the cap of burgeoning writer Karl Williams.
The limited nominations in far too many categories took away from the night's dramatic potential, as three categories had automatic winners and two had only two nominees.
WORK TO BE DONE
This suggests that last year's productions were lacking in the areas of lighting and costuming and though there were several music related nominations, most of them went to Grub Cooper for his work on Positive, Jamaica to Rahtid and Zu Zu Macca.
Overall, the show continued to strive toward being a night of glitz and glamour, but to reach the standing it desires, it has work yet to do to create a show that is so astounding, it will keep tongues wagging for weeks.
LIST OF WINNERS
Best Set Design
Robin Batson, The Wiz
Best Lighting
Robin Batson, The Wiz
Best Costume
Carolyn Chin Yee, The Wiz
Best Special Effects
Robin Batson, The Wiz
Best Choreography
Paula Shaw, The Wiz
Best Original Song
Jamaica to Rahtid (Aston Cooke and Grub Cooper), Jamaica 2 Rahtid
Best Original Score
Jamaica to Rahtid, Aston Cooke and Grub Cooper
Best Musical
The Wiz
Best Children's Theatre
The Sleeping Beauty
Best Revue
Jamaica 2 Rahtid
Best Comedy
Jamaica 2 Rahtid
Best Drama
The Black That I Am
Best New Jamaican Play
The Black That I Am
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Courtney Wilson, Vibes
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Monique Ceasar, The Black That I Am
Best Actor in a Lead Role
Munair Zacca, Feminine Justice
Best Actress in a Lead Role
Makeda Solomon, Who Will Sing for Lena?
Best Director
Brian Heap, The Black That I Am
Best Production
The Wiz
