SUCH A PERFECT BLENDSHIP | Anything goes when best friends M. Denise Lee and Gary Lynn Floyd take to the stage, whether together or separately. (Photo courtesy Terry Walker)
As if it’s not enough that M. Denise Lee and Gary Lynn Floyd are tremendously talented in themselves, both as actors and musicians — they also happen to be best friends. That smacks of conspiracy. Both got their starts in Dallas clubs — Floyd’s lilting voice and lovely piano-playing contrasting with Lee’s diva-in-the-balcony ability to belt out anything form jazz to Broadway — but in the last 10 years have made their marks as actors, in musicals and dramatic roles. 2011 was a triumph for Floyd, who starred in best musical winner Next to Normal; Lee returned to local acting in several roles, notably To Kill a Mockingbird. Best of all, you don’t need to wait very long to see them — they’re often performing cabaret around town … usually together. That’s what best friends do.
— Arnold Wayne Jones
BEST LOCAL ACTOR (MALE)
Gary Lynn Floyd
Roles in 2011 productions include Next to Normal.
BEST LOCAL ACTOR (FEMALE)
M. Denise Lee
Roles in 2011 productions include The Sunshine Boys,
The Wiz, To Kill a Mockingbird and Rockin’ Christmas
Party.
BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION (PLAY)
The Temperamentals (Uptown Players)
Performed Oct. 7–March 23, 2011, at the
Kalita Humphreys Theater
214-219-2718
UptownPlayers.org
BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION (MUSICAL)
Next to Normal (Uptown Players)
Performed June 10–July 3, 2011, at the
Kalita Humphreys Theater
214-219-2718
UptownPlayers.org
BEST LOCAL THEATER DIRECTOR
(TIE)
Joel Ferrell
2011 included directing Dividing the Estate, Cabaret
and A Christmas Carol.
Michael Serrecchia
2011 included directing Next to Normal, How to
Succeed…, Cheaters, Duets and It’s Only Life.
BEST LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
The Turtle Creek Chorale
3630 Harry Hines Blvd.
214-526-3214
TurtleCreek.org
BACK ON TOP | Cassie Nova shows her respect for colleague Jenna Skyy, last year’s favorite drag performer ... but it’s all part of her campy good humor. (Rich Lopez/Dallas Voice)
What’s left to be said about Cassie Nova that hasn’t already been whispered by her castmates behind her back at the Rose Room? This veteran dragster lights up the stage with her smack-talking country-girl-gone-city attitude, but take her away from the spotlight and she’s every bit the local celebrity, as young fans crowd around her for a photo op cheering how much they “looooove her.” Nova may roll her eyes in joking sarcasm, but her camera smile is deeper than she lets on: This is what she was born to do. Nova was “just shocked” to lose best diva to fellow goddess Jenna Skyy for the last two years, but you can see she accepted this year’s award with the grace and dignity of a true queen. And by that, we mean a drag queen.
— Rich Lopez
BEST DRAG DIVA
Cassie Nova
Hosts shows at the Rose Room inside
Station 4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road
214-526-7171
Caven.com
BEST LOCAL SINGER
Bella Estrada
BEST LOCAL BAND, GROUP
OR MUSICIAN
Ciao Bella
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Sue Ellen’s
3014 Throckmorton St.
Open daily from 4 p.m–2 a.m. with after-hours dancing
214-559-0707
SueEllensDallas.com
BEST DVD RENTAL (GENERAL)
TapeLenders
3926 Cedar Springs Road
214-528-6344
TapeLenders.com
BEST DVD RENTAL (ADULT)
Alternatives of New Fine Arts
1720 W. Mockingbird Lane
214-638-0765
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 16, 2012.