Foothills’ theater groups stand out in Elly nominations

Sierra Stages, Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra, Synthetic Unlimited, Quest Theaterworks and LeGacy Presents all received multiple nominations for Elly Awards on Sunday night in Sacramento.

Nevada City-based Sierra Stages’ “Avenue Q” won more nominations (12) than any other production in the Sacramento region — a major coup for the foothill community theater scene. All told, the five Nevada County theater groups received 36 nominations.

Placer County theater groups, such as Roseville Theater Arts Academy, Rocklin Community Theater and Colfax High School, also led in the nominations.

The Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance announced 438 Elly nominees from 58 theaters and 124 productions at the West Sacramento Community Center.

Sierra Stages received 13 nominations in total, including overall production for “Avenue Q.” It received 12 nominations for “Avenue Q” and one for “Closer Than Ever.”

Synthetic Unlimited received six nominations, including best overall production for “American Buffalo.” CATS received five nominations for “Miss Saigon.” LeGacy Presents received two nominations for “A Christmas Carol” in the adapted scripts category.

Quest Theaterworks received 10 nominations in the young people’s play categories, including overall production for “A Faery Hunt: The Missing Fairy Light.”

The 10 community theatres receiving the most nominations included: Sutter Street Theatre (38); Roseville Theatre Arts Academy (30); Rocklin Community Theatre (22); The Acting Company (21); Big Idea Theatre (17); St. Mary’s High School (17) and El Dorado High School (17).

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 outstanding achievements of community theaters and artists in the greater Sacramento area.

The finalists will be announced in September. The full list of nominees is here: 2014 Elly Nominations.

Foothills nominees were:

Sierra Stages (13):
Avenue Q; Overall Production; Musicals
Ken Getz; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Musical Direction; Musicals
Robert Rossman; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Choreography; Musicals
Alan Rolins; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Costume Design; Musicals
Robert Rossman; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Direction; Musicals
JR Lewis; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Leading Male; Musicals
Erin Beatie; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Lighting Design; Musicals
Pamela Hodges; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Set Design; Musicals
Greg Cameron; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Sound Design; Musicals
Lyra Dominguez; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Supporting Female; Musicals
Erick Lindley; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Supporting Male; Musicals
Isaias Acosta; Avenue Q; Sierra Stages; Supporting Male

Ken Getz; Closer Than Ever; Sierra Stages; Musical Direction; Musicals

CATS (5):
Jared Lee; Miss Saigon; Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra; Leading Male; Musicals
Jill Kelly; Miss Saigon; Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra; Costume Design; Musicals
Erin Beatie; Miss Saigon; Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra; Lighting Design; Musicals
Pamela Hodges; Miss Saigon; Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra; Set Design; Musicals
Christopher Christensen; Miss Saigon; Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra; Sound Design; Musicals

LeGacy Presents (2):
A Chrismas Carol; LeGacy Presents; Production of Script; Adapted Scripts
Jeffrey Mason; A Christmas Carol; LeGacy Presents; Script; Adapted Scripts

Synthetic Unlimited (6)
American Buffalo; Overall Production; Comedy
Gary Wright; American Buffalo; Synthetic Unlimited; Leading Male; Comedy
Micah Cone; American Buffalo; Synthetic Unlimited; Leading Male; Comedy
Jimmy McCammon; American Buffalo; Synthetic Unlimited; Direction; Comedy

Leah Kaplan; Othello; Synthetic Unlimited; Leading Female; Drama
Ariana Rampy; Othello; Synthetic Unlimited; Leading Female; Drama

Quest Theaterworks (10)
Quest Theaterworks; A Faery Hunt: The Missing Faery Light; Overall Production; Young People’s Plays
A Fairy Quest; Production of Script; Young People’s Original Scripts
Shawnna Frazer; A Fairy Quest; Script; Young People’s Original Scripts
Santia Enos Kroes; A Faery Hunt: The Missing Faery Light; Quest Theaterworks; Costume Design; Young People’s Plays
Lois Ewing; A Faery Hunt: The Missing Faery Light; Direction; Young People’s Plays
Tinley Ireland; Emperor’s New Clothes Quest Theaterworks; Leading Female; Young People’s Plays
Chris Whitlock; A Faery Hunt: The Missing Faery Light; Supporting Female; Young People’s Plays
Grace Kohler; A Faery Hunt: The Missing Faery Light; Supporting Female; Young People’s Plays
Jailyn Tafolla, Susan Mason; Emperor’s New Clothes; Sound Design; Young People’s Plays
Stephanie Haggerty; A Fairy Quest; Supporting Female; Young People’s Plays

(Photos: Sierra Stages; and David Wong for Miss Saigon)