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| Angie DiMarco is “One to Watch” at tonight’s Gregory Awards. |
The second annual Theatre Puget Sound Gregory Awards are TONIGHT, Monday, October 25 at A Contemporary Theatre. (And, it looks like the event is sold out; online tickets are NOT available; call the Box Office to check on availability). Last year, I was all atwitter with the nomination thrown to local musical theatre darling Billie Wildrick, who was nominated in the Best Actress category for her marvelous work in ACT’s “Das Barbecue”, and the 5th Avenue Theatre’s mounting of my favourite Stephen Sondheim production, “Sunday in the Park with George”. Though she did not end up the victor (the title went to another local brilliantine performer, Amy Thone), I stood graciously by a comment I had made in honor of her nomination:
“One must remember there are hundreds, if not thousands of women in this city and surrounding areas busting their chops to be recognized for their talents, and such an esteemed honor as Ms Wildrick’s Gregory Award nomination is not to be taken lightly. Congratulations, Billie, for your overtly deserved nomination. May it only further inspire you to never back down from sharing your brilliance.”
This year, two particular names have personally stood out to me from the group of esteemed, marvelous performance artists and designers. Both just happen to be in the same category! You’ll pardon my going into a bit of a single-out mode here, but in this case, I’ve already pardoned myself and am truly congratulatory toward every nominee listed. When the nominations announced both Patrick Lennon and Angela DiMarco as “Persons to Watch”, the elation in my senses was heightened, and my desire to express joy for their further recognition has met no considerable boundaries.
For her work in “13th of Paris” at the Seattle Public Theatre, “The Taming of the Shrew” at Seattle Shakespeare Company, “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” at the Intiman, and “Trout Stanley” at the Balagan Theatre, Angie DiMarco breathed extraordinary life into each of her performances with a raw versatility that is so exceptionally fresh and welcomed, it’s brought a sense of understated promise in her future endeavors here in Seattle. Since then, she has also gone on to deliver a moving portrayal of a young woman caught in a bitter situation as she confronts her boyfriend of his comments regarding her physical looks in ArtsWest’s season opener, “Reasons to be Pretty”. Her fragile physique is a marvel to watch as it meshes and forms into these different personalities, and the effortless zest she sprinkles into the soul and understanding of each individual she portrays is nothing less than professional genius. A warm congratulations to Ms DiMarco on this wildly deserved nomination, and a loving cheers to your bright, all-ready fantastic future.
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| So is Patrick Lennon. |
One of the small wonders about Patrick Lennon is similar to Ms DiMarco: his versatility and constant ability to transform himself, body and mind, into his characters on stage. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Mr. Lennon perform for a number of years now, and though I know him outside of his theatre work, am always amazed by his seemingly non-existent limitations. For anyone who manged to recently see him make his mark on Tennessee Williams’ Tom in Theater Schmeater’s mounting of “The Glass Menagerie”, I dare say, consider yourself lucky to have been graced with such an authentic portrayal. This year, the Gregory Awards have singled him out for his work in “Titus Andronicus” at Greenstage, “Arcadia” with the Driftwood Players, and “Come Back to the Five & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” with Woman Seeking…a Theatre Company. Also like Ms DiMarco, his presence is small, crystal clear, but he pushes the boundaries of what are to be expected out of young actors, and is a must-see all on his own, with every project he touches. Congratulations, Mr. Lennon. And thank you.
To sum this ditty up, I must also acknowledge Trick Danneker, Marc ‘Waxie Moon’ Kenison, Jager Weatherby, and Brandon Ivie for each having a fascinating contribution as individuals working in theatre, and standing alongside the two I just gushed about. It’ll be a pleasure to watch each of these artists progress and grow, and what walls they’ll crumble, what minds they’ll liven up, and the portraits they’ll continue to paint with their brilliant performances.
Onward, Gregory Awards!
– Aiden Karamanyan
