Walter Lee Cunningham by Karen Almond
It’s one of the most famous celebrations of queer culture that mainstream society has ever embraced — especially the 1976 cult film — so it was no surprise our readers really took a step up (and to the rii-ii-ii-gg-hh-t) voicing their support for the Dallas Theater Center’s production of The Rocky Horror Show last fall. Incorporating the film’s notorious audience participation aspects, it was as much a party as a theater production. And the presence of Walter Lee Cunningham as a cross-dressing Magenta no doubt helped him secure the title of favorite musical theater stage actor of the year. There and in shows like Uptown Players’ Pageant, Cunningham oozes strength, femininity and comic chops with a powerhouse voice that makes the former Voice of Pride winner (and karaoke host) one of the best reasons to see any show in Dallas he’s associated with.
BEST LOCAL MUSICAL ACTOR/ACTRESS
Walter Lee Cunningham
BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION (MUSICAL)
The Rocky Horror Show — Dallas Theater Center
Performed Sept. 11–Oct. 19, 2014, at the Wyly Theatre.
DallasTheaterCenter.org.
BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION (PLAY)
Bent
Performed April 25–27, 2014, at the Interfaith Peace
Chapel at the Cathedral of Hope.
BEST LOCAL DRAMATIC ACTOR /ACTRESS
Todd Whitley
BEST LOCAL THEATER DIRECTOR
Joel Ferrell
Recent directing credits include The Rocky Horror
Show and Driving Miss Daisy (DTC).
BEST LOCAL DRAG QUEEN
Cassie Nova
BEST LOCAL BAND, GROUP OR MUSICIAN
Mi Diva Loca
BEST LOCAL SINGER
Mel Arizpe
RISING STAR
Angel Velasco
BEST LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
Turtle Creek Chorale
3630 Harry Hines Blvd.
214-526-3214. TurtleCreek.org.
When choreographer Bruce Wood died suddenly last spring, at only 53, it sent shockwaves throughout the North Texas arts community. By concensus, Wood was one of the truly great home-grown artists the Lone Star State has ever produced, an intense and uncompromising servant of making the movement of the human form into something sublime. But Wood’s death did not end his mission. His Bruce Wood Dance Project — which readers declared the best dance event or troupe of the year — continues to produce dance: Not just recreating some of the 60-plus original works Wood created in his lifetime, but other classic pieces and even new dances from acting artistic director Kimi Nikaidoh. Death may have stopped the man, but his legacy of brilliance lives on.
BEST DANCE EVENT OR TROUPE
Bruce Wood Dance Project
BruceWoodDance.org.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 20, 2015.
