Danny Condon, and Lisa O' Connell in Crazy for You, directed by Wendy Glover.Picture: DAVE TEASE
Illawarra theatre companies took centre stage at the weekend, taking out a number of top gongs at the Canberra Area Theatre Awards.
Wollongong company MoonGlow Productions won five awards for its May 2012 production of Crazy For You, including best production of a musical and best director.
Director Wendy Glover said winning so many awards for her production of the classic George and Ira Gershwin comedy was "a nice surprise".
"It's a lovely honour to think that your work has been appreciated," she said.
"It was a wonderful show and my team, my cast and my orchestra did beautifully and it's a very feel-good happy show that was obviously enjoyed by other people."
The annual awards recognise non-professional theatre and performance groups in Canberra and surrounding regions.
Crazy For You was also given the award for best choreographer, best set design and performer Danny Condon won best actor for playing Bobby Child.
Also from the Illawarra, Shellharbour's Roo Theatre Company won three acting awards for its production of Les Miserables and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts student Bryson Grenfell was awarded best youth actor in a leading role.
Ms Glover said the strong Illawarra showing at the Canberra-based awards was due to a large community of passionate community theatre groups, as well as a glut of talented singers, dancers and actors in the region.
"There's loads of talent in the Illawarra ... being used wisely and well," Ms Glover said.
ILLAWARRA AWARD WINNERS
BEST SET DESIGNER FOR A MUSICAL
■ Wendy Glover (concept) and Mal, Donna and Amy Copeland (construction and artistry), Crazy for You. MoonGlow Productions.
BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
■ Emerson Garcia as Gavroche in Les Miserables, Roo Theatre Company.
BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
■ Bryson Grenfell as Truffaldino in The Servant of Two Masters, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts.
BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
■ Anthony Rule as Marius in Les Miserables, Roo Theatre Company.
BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
■ Stephanie Rodriguez as Cosette in Les Miserables, Roo Theatre Company.
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
■ Danny Condon as Bobby Child in Crazy for You, MoonGlow Productions.
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER
■ Pauline Young, Crazy for You, MoonGlow Productions.
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL OR VARIETY SHOW
■ Wendy Glover, Crazy for You, MoonGlow Productions.
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
■ Crazy for You, MoonGlow Productions
