Kyle Igneczi in the title role of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ by Arnold Wayne Jones
After the recent Broadway revival of the cult hit rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch — about a transgender East German punk rock star giving a final, boozy concert — it seemed like it would be an uphill climb for Uptown Players to out-do it. But by many accounts, they did, with star-making performance from Kyle Igneczi and Grace Neely, a rockin’ band led by music director Scott Eckert and Jeremy Dumont’s inventive, sure-footed direction. The rollicking, Pride-ful musical was one of the anthemic stage successes of the fall that few who saw it will soon forget.
BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION (MUSICAL)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Uptown Players)
Performed Aug. 28–Sept. 13, 2015, at the Kalita Humphreys Theater.
UptownPlayers.org.
BEST LOCAL DRAMATIC ACTOR
B.J. Cleveland
Recent performing credits include The Nance (Uptown Players), A Christmas Carol and I Love You’ You’re Perfect, Now Change (Theatre 3).
BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION (PLAY)
The Nance (Uptown Players)
Performed June 19–July 5, 2015, the Kalita
Humphreys Theater.
UptownPlayers.org.
BEST LOCAL MUSICAL ACTOR
M. Denise Lee
Recent performing credits include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Jubilee Theatre) and Hot Mikado (Theatre 3).
BEST LOCAL THEATER DIRECTOR
Cheryl Denson
Recent directing credits include Catch Me If You Can (Uptown Players) and A Year with Frog and Toad (Dallas Children’s Theater).
The selection of Chris Chism as our readers’ favorite musician might at first seem unusual, since Chris is best known for his spiritual performances (he’s assistant director of music and worship at the Cathedral of Hope). But then again, all you have to do is hear him sing and you totally get his appeal. And besides, with the largest gay congregation in the world, it’s no wonder many of our readers listen to live music most common on Sunday mornings, though Chris has also appeared with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
BEST LOCAL BAND, GROUP OR MUSICIAN
Chris Chism
BEST LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATION
Turtle Creek Chorale
3630 Harry Hines Blvd.
214-526-3214. TurtleCreek.org.
BEST LOCAL SINGER
Mel Arizpe
RISING STAR
Nick Stracener
BEST DANCE EVENT OR TROUPE
Bruce Wood Dance Project
BruceWoodDance.org.
BEST DRAG
Layla LaRue
BEST THEATRICAL PRESENTER
Dallas Summer Musicals
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 11, 2016.
