Best in Theater 2012 | Intimate Excellent

Troy Kotsur and Erinn Anova in “Cyrano” at the Fountain Theatre (2012).

Just announced: The Fountain Theatre has earned 6 LA Drama Critics Circle Award nominations for its acclaimed 2012 productions of Cyrano and In the Red and Brown Water.  In addition, the Fountain has also been honored by the LADCC with the Polly Warfield Award for Best Overall Season in 2012.

The 2012 LADCC Award nonminations for the Fountain:

  • Best Production – Cyrano
  • Best Director – Simon Levy, Cyrano
  • Best Director – Shirley Jo Finney, In the Red and Brown Water
  • Best Lead Performance – Troy Kotsur, Cyrano
  • Best Ensemble – In the Red and Brown Water
  • Best Writing (Adaptation) – Stephen Sachs, Cyrano

The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season in a small to mid-size theater will be awarded to The Fountain Theatre. The 2012 Fountain season included the west coast premiere of El Nogalar by Tanya Saracho, the world premiere of Cyrano by Stephen Sachs, the United States Premiere of The Blue Iris by Athol Fugard, and the Los Angeles Premiere of In the Red and Brown Water by Tarell Alvin McCraney. The award is accompanied by an honorarium funded by the Nederlander Organization.

The Fountain/Deaf West Theatre world premiere co-production of Cyrano ran for 4 sold-out months in 2012 and drew much critical acclaim. In the Red and Brown Water opened in October to rave reviews including being heralded as “Best in Theater 2012” by the Los Angeles Times.  The acclaimed production has been extended and is still running at the Fountain to Feb 24th.  

“In the Red and Brown Water” at the Fountain Theatre

photos by Ed Krieger

More Info on the 2012 LADCC Award Nominations

Posted in actors, Arts, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, new plays, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre

Tagged 2012 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, American Sign Language, ASL, Athol Fugard, Best in Theater 2012, Cyrano, Cyrano de Bergerac, deaf, deaf actor, Deaf West Theatre, director, El Nogalar, Erinn Anova, Fountain Theatre, In The Red and Brown Water, LADCC, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Los Angeles Times, Nederlander Organization, new plays, nominations, performing arts, plays, playwriting, Polly Warfield, Shirley Jo Finney, Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, Tanya Saracho, Tarell Alvin McCraney, The Blue Iris, theater, Troy Kotsur, West Coast Premiere, world premiere

Maya Lynne Robinson

Actress Maya Lynne Robinson moved from New York City to Los Angeles in May, 2012. Two months later, she booked her first play in LA. And what a play and production it turned out to be! To her (and our) good fortune, Maya was cast in the ensemble as the gossipy Nia in our Los Angeles Premiere of In the Red and Brown Water. The production has drawn critical acclaim, been named “Best in Theater 2012” by the Los Angeles Times, and has been extended to Feb 24th.

I wanted a change.  I was living in NYC, but working regionally and I wanted to move somewhere where I could live and work.  I also came to focus more on film and television.  I have an extensive theatre background and wanted to broaden my options.   

Any preconceptions about LA being a “theater town”? The Hollywood Industry?

I didn’t know that LA was a theater town!  I thought my focus immediately would be on film and television and “networking.”  That’s the Hollywood Industry perception I was told about.  LA has been much more than networking for me.  It’s helped me create a little family, a sense of community and belonging that I hadn’t felt in a long time, professionally and personally.  I moved here knowing only three people.  

I knew the acting talent pool would be fierce, but I didn’t have any thoughts, one way or the other, on if the actors would be great.  All I thought about was becoming a part of that acting pool.

Maya Lynne Robinson (right) as Nia, Simone Missick (left) as Shun, in “In the Red and Brown Water” at the Fountain Theatre.

‘In the Red and Brown Water’ is your first play in LA.

Yes, it’s  is my first play here.  I moved here in the middle of May and by August 2nd was cast in this fabulous production.  I feel really blessed.  Thank you Shirley Jo Finney and Erinn Anova for believing in my talent, with no one knowing anything about me.  I was fresh off the boat!  And thank you to Stephen Sachs, Simon Levy and Deborah Lawlor for allowing me to be a part of the Fountain family.

What has the ‘Red/Brown’ experience been like for you?

This experience has been very interesting for me.  Extremely emotional; taking me out of a comfort zone that I didn’t know I had.  I expected it to be professional.  I never expected the personal bonds to be so strong with the rest of the cast and crew.  We’ve become a family.  I’ve also grown up a bit and learned a lot about who I am.  I felt very “East Coast” when I moved here. Now I just feel like me. It’s hard to put into words, you know?  I’m still transitioning. 

The Fountain Theatre

How has your experience been working at the Fountain?

The Fountain has been fabulous.  I love the fact it looks like a home. Theatre should feel like coming home.  It’s been a great experience.  I didn’t have expectations of what LA theatre companies would be.  I just dove in.

How do you like living in Los Angeles?

It’s winter time!  70 degrees!  How do YOU think I like LA?!  I love the snow, I’m originally from Cleveland, but a snow less winter hasn’t been that bad.  The traffic though… I can do without the traffic. 

Is it different being an actor in New York versus being an actor in LA?

I’m not sure I’ve processed the differences yet.  I’ve just been blessed to meet people and work immediately.  I spent one week performing ‘Red/Brown’ at night and shuttling to San Diego to be on set during the day.  It  was a very different experience for me; exhausting and fulfilling. 

What are your plans after ‘Red/Brown’ closes?  

To keep acting, finish my one woman show, introduce LA to me. I’m also looking for representation.  I booked this show on my own, but some help, would be fantastic.  Oh, and go on vacation!

In the Red and Brown Water Now – Feb 24  (323) 663-1525  More

Posted in actors, Arts, Drama, Fountain Theatre, new plays, performing arts, plays, Theater, theatre

Tagged acting pool, actors, Best in Theater 2012, Deborah Lawlor, Erinn Anova, film, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Hollywood Industry, In The Red and Brown Water, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, Los Angeles Times, Maya Lynne Robinson, motion picture, new plays, New York, performing arts, plays, Shirley Jo Finney, Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, Tarell Alvin McCraney, theater, theatre community, TV