

New York, NY-August 3, 2009: Planet Connections Theatre Festivity , a new eco-friendly festival designed to promote social and cultural awareness in the theatrical community, celebrated the best of the festival, which took place June 9 – June 28, 2009 at 440 Studios, in a fun-filled evening in which many of the nominees performed. The awards were hosted by Co-Executive Directors, Glory Bowen and Frank Calo, and presenting were various members of the staff and crew.
Highlights included Best Actress winner from a musical Melissa Labbadia and Best Supporting Actress from a Musical Jennifer Van Buskirk who rocked the house down with a medley from Cleopatra: A Life Unparalleled. There was also a fabulous performance from Justin Utley, winner of Best Actor in a Musical from Our Country and Ethan Angelica winner of an acting award for Those Whistling Lads . One of the more hilarious parts of the evening, was when the entire staff of Planet Connections performed a rap to "Ice Ice Baby" entitled "Planet Connections Baby.” The rap was written by Activist/Charities Coordinator, Ramona Pula, and mentioned every production in the Festivity, while reminding the audience to not let the Polar Ice Caps melt. Towards the end of the evening Ms. Bowen and Mr. Calo thanked the wonderful Planet Connections staff and interns for their tremendous efforts and generous spirits. Additionally, they thanked festival sponsors Ecosumo who provided our congeniality winners and activist winners with eco-friendly candles and soaps and The Plaza Hotel for the large donation of flowers to the event.
" We are so proud of all the work done in our Inaugural year. It was fantastic to see all these fine artists coming together to support local charities and Green Theater. We look forward to next year and hope you will join us in the festivity ."-Glory Bowen
Planet Activist Award
Given to the festivity participant, who goes above and beyond the call of duty working with a charitable institution. THANK YOU!
WINNER: Mark Butler , Playwright/Producer of Instant Happy! Citymeals-on-Wheels - solicitation speech at end of each show, worked closely with the charity representative on-site (the only group to have one at every show) at each show, collected a large amount of funds for their charity.
WINNER: Dan Moyer , Playwright of New Beulah - chants of Democracy Now in the White Box hallway, the lounge and while collecting as patrons left, inspired us. Inserts in playbills, reps on-site, lounge event.
WINNER: J.C. Svec , Playwright/Director of A Play on Words – poster board/display at front entrance, had his daughter collecting donations at every show, meeting and event with City Critters reps.
WINNER: Jackie La Vanaway/Rachel McPhee , Producers of America: A Problem Play -hosted a fabulous event for Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership in our lounge, for the “Green Efforts” of their production.
WINNER: Maureen Van Trease , Playwright/Actress of Those Whistling Lads: Stories and Poetry of Dorothy Parker – coordinated Three Poets charities, gave all of her tickets sales to charity, personally took toiletries to Safe Horizons, her own production benefited not just one, but three separate charities
Outstanding Overall Production of a New Play
WINNER: Monetizing Emma
Produced by Thackeray Walsh, LLC
Benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids
Written by Felipe Ossa
Directed by Leah Bonvissuto
Stage Manager: Teresa-Violet Cajigas Assistant Director: Shauna Horn
Scenic Design: Jasmine Vogue Pai Lighting Design: Lauren Parrish
Costume Design: Mira Veikley
Performed by: James Arden, Dawn Jamieson, Janice Mann, Daniella Rabbani, Tovah Rose, and Nitya Vidyasagar
Nominated: New Beulah
Produced by Brian Hedden and Nathaniel Kent
Benefiting Democracy Now!
Written by Dan Moyer
Directed by Jordan Fein
Stage Manager: Joie Bauer Scenic Design: Christopher Ford
Lighting and Sound Design: Chantel Pascente Costume Design: Dakota Rose
Performed by: Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Hadley Cronk, Emma Galvin, Carl Howell, James B. Kennedy, Nathaniel Kent, Emily Kenyon Scott, and Marisa Lark Wallin
Nominated: Wait of the World
Produced by Matt Britten and Peter Dagger, Peter and Matt's Production Company
Benefiting The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
Written By Peter Dagger
Directed by Jeremy Bloom
Scenic Design by Sean Ward
Performed by Jenny Checchia, Harry Einhorn, Joyce Miller, Rachel Richman and Joe Tannenbaum
Nominated: Wrestling the Alligator
Produced by Conflict of Interest theater company
Benefiting City Harvest
Written by Sergei Burbank
Directed by Adam Karsten
Stage Manager: Joanna Leigh Jacobsen Associate Producer: Jessica Hochman
Scenic Design: Kina Park Lighting Design: Ryan Mueller
Light Design Assistant: Maxx Serpica Costume Design: Daonne Huff
Performed by: James Ware, Sergei Burbank, Amada Nichols and Annalisa Loeffer
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical, Play with Music, or Musical Event
WINNER: Our Country
Produced by Tony Asaro
Benefiting LGBT Community Center
Music/Lyrics by Tony Asaro Book by Dan Collins
Directed by David Taylor Little Music Direction by Eric Day
Stage Manager: Deborah Stunich Associate Producer: Jennifer Ashley Tepper
Orchestrations: Tony Asaro Scenic Desgin: David Taylor Little
Lighting Design: Nick Soylom Sound Design: Gregory Jacobs-Roseman
Costume Design: Gordon Leary Sound Board: Bill Nelson
Performed by: Jeremy Pasha and Justin Utley
Music Performed by Eric Day, Matt Hinkley, Jeremy Pasha, Arvi Sreenivasan, and Justin Smith
Nominated: Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled
Produced by Crystal Theatre, Inc. and L2 Entertainment, Inc.
Benefiting Women for Women International
Music, Lyrics and Book by Cheryl E. Kemeny
Directed by Barbara Labbadia Musical Direction by Cheryl E. Kemeny
Choreography by Dr. Kari Ann Sweeney
Stage Manager: Debra Poruban
Scenic Design: Mariner Pezza, Sarah Edwards, and Scott Edwards
Lighting Design: Jessica Burgess Sound Technician: Michelle Maher
Costume Design: Cheryl E. Kemeny and Barbara Labbadia
Stage Hands: Sarah Edwards and Mark Progano
Wardrobe Mistresses: Daniella O'Callaghan and Elizabeth Lyons
Performed by: Paulo Araujo, William Bailey, Dan Gershaw, Audra Hebard, Jessica Labbadia, Melissa Labbadia, Michael Labbadia, Brynnyn Langhorn, Mike Longo, Joseph Lucherini, , Elizabeth Markow, Mike Mejia, Lexi Moeller, Alex Palmer, Xavier Rossario, Lia Sumerano, Jennifer Van Biskirk, David Anthony Vogel and Josh Woodie
Music Performed by: Cheryl E. Kemeny, Alexeandrea Kemeny, John Montagnese and Mikhail Pivovarov
Nominated: Wagon Wheel
Produced by The Elephant Room
Benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Book and Lyrics by Robin Sandusky Music by Erato Kremmyda
Directed by Rob Heller Music Direction by Mark T. Evans
Choreography by Clare Cook
Co-Produced by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Sarah Wozniak
Stage Manager: Jenny Beth Snyder Assistant Stage Manager: Eric Kubo
Scenic Design: Alyssa Erin Yackley Lighting Design: Tom Bergeron
Costume Design: Cherrye Davis Fight Choreography: Turner Smith and Elizabeth Spano
Performed by: Christina Connerton, Erica Frankel, Christopher Johnson, Yoav Levin, Elyssa Mactas, Ani Niemann, Rebecca Odorisio, Kila Packett, Sam Pinkleton, Megan Roup, Lia Barcellona Tamborra, and Michael-August Turley
Outstanding Overall Production of a Short Play, One-Act, or Monologue
WINNER: Meredith's Ring from Meredith's Ring and Anonymous
Produced by White Rabbit Theatre
Written and Directed by Andrew Rothkin
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Tina Rogalski
Lighting and Sound Design: Jeremy Pape Scenic Design: Yveyi Yi
Performed by: Tom Blewitt, Juan Huang, Vanessa Ramalho, Alexander Scally and Shelly Work
Nominated: Designer X from Designer X, Your Face, What Are You Doing Here?
Produced by the mush-room theater design
Written by Maria Alexandria Beech Directed and Designed by Oscar A. Mendoza
Video Installation and Technical Direction by Gabriel Comrie-Pepin
Piano Performance by Xavier Paez Haubold
Performed by: Jeffery Steven Allen, Paul Daily, and Stacie Greenwell
Nominated: Nose Fob form Café Sustainable
Written and Produced by Corcaigh Irlandese Directed by Nathan Brauner
Live Music by Steve Wrembel
Performed by: Tamar Pelzig, Synge Maher, and Solomon Shiv
Nominated: The Laundry War from Instant Happy!
Written and Produced by Mark William Butler Directed by Richard P. Butler
Stage Manager/Sound Design: Devon Diaz
Performed by: Kristine Louis, Daina Schatz, and Steve Sherman
Outstanding Overall Production of an Entire Evening of One-Acts
WINNER: Designer X, Your Face, What Are You Doing Here?
Produced by the mush-room theater design
Written by Maria Alexandria Beech Directed and Designed by Oscar A. Mendoza
Video Installation and Technical Direction by Gabriel Comrie-Pepin
Piano Performance by Xavier Paez Haubold
Performed by: Jeffery Steven Allen, Paul Daily, Sarah Doudna, Stacie Greenwell, Barbara Mundy and Danielle Patsakos
Nominated: A Play on Words
Produced by Tribe Productions
Written and Directed by J.C. Swec
Stage Manager: Sheridan Watson Assistant Stage Manager: Paloma Colon
Production Design: Studio 31
Performed by Nicole Cicchella, Sarah Cuneo, Rob Gelberg, Sarah Lopez, Edward Rosini, and Gabby Walsh
Nominated: Café Sustainable and Instant Happy!
Written and Produced by Corcaigh Irlandese and Mark William Butler
Directed by Nathan Brauner and Richard P. Butler
Live Music by Steve Wrembel Stage Manager/Sound Design: Devon Diaz
Performed by: Alex Adams, Allison Crane, Bernardo Cubria, Kristine Louis, Tamar Peizig, Synge Maher, Nicholas Santasier,Daina Schatz, Steve Sherman, and Soloman Shiv.
Nominated: Meredith's Ring and Anonymous
Produced by White Rabbit Theatre and Cuchipinoy Productions
Written by Andrew Rothkin and Rodney Reyes
Directed by Andrew Rothkin and Taylor Keith
Managing Director: Anna Payumo Stage Manager: Eileen Gaughan
Set Designer and Technical Director: Mario Corales
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Tina Rogalski
Lighting and Sound Design: Jeremy Pape Scenic Design: Yveyi Yi
Performed by: Tom Blewitt, Juan Huang, Vanessa Ramalho, Alexander Scally and Shelly Work Outstanding
Outstanding Overall Production of a Solo Show
WINNER: Child of Hungry Times
Produced by New York Theatre Barn
Written and Performed by Bridget Bailey Directed by Jay O'Berski
Lighting Design: Dante Smith Production Design: Shamina Mehta
Managing Producers: Stephanie Safko and Todd Adamson
Stage Managers: J Evarts and Marcus Cooper
Nominated: By Special Arrangement
Performed by Teresa Fischer
Piano and Musical Direction by Andrew Sotomayor
Light and Sound Operation: Aubrie Fennecken
Nominated: HER KIND: The Life and Poetry of Anne Sexton
Written by Hannah Wolfe featuring the poetry of Anne Sexton
Choreographed by Laurel Tentindo Stage Manager/ Lighting Design: Sarah Locke
Video by Franco Barbeite Video Editing: Alyssa Polacsek
Sound Design: Daniel Mintseris Sound/Video Operator: Jennifer Bruemmer
Performed by Hannah Wolfe Dances performed by Laurel Tentindo
Video Performances by Collin Biddle and Debra Kay Anderson
Nominated: What Are You Doing Here?
Produced by the mush-room theater design
Written by Maria Alexandria Beech Directed and Designed by Oscar A. Mendoza
Video Installation and Technical Direction by Gabriel Comrie-Pepin
Piano Performance by Xavier Paez Haubold
Performed by Danielle Patsakos
Outstanding Overall Production of a Revival/Adaptation
WINNER: The Imaginary Invalid: By Prescription OnlyNominated: America: A Problem Play
Produced by On The Square Productions
Adapted and Directed by Deborah Wolfson
Producers: Jackie LaVanway and Rachel McPhee
Scenic Design: Zane Robert Enloe Lighting Design: Matt Laust
Costume Design: Nicky Smith Stage Manager: Debra Stunich
Performed by: Devan Anderson, Samantha Debicki, Bethany Geraghty, Jeffrey Golde, Nik Kourtis, Kareem M. Lucas, Anna Marquardt, Kyle Masteller, Aaliyah Sams, Michael Swartz and Emily Tucker
Nominated: Hound
Produced by HQ Rep. in association with Rachel Klein Productions
Adapted by John Patrick Bray Directed by Rachel Klein
Stage Manager: Teresa Maranzano Sound Design: Sean Gill
Costume Design: Rachel Klein and Emily Taradash
Make-up Designer Anita Rundles Board Op: Victoria M. Moshy
Performed by: Grant Boyd, Jack Corcoran, Meredith Dillard, Cavan Hallman, Abigail Hawk, Terence MacSweeny, Blaine Peltier, Alyssa Schroeter, Elizabeth Stewart and Jason Stroud
Nominated: Those Whistling Lads: Stories and Poetry of Dorothy Parker
Produced by Third Eye Theatre Company in Association with Time Space Theatre Company, Paul Casili and Michael Levesque
Adapted by Maureen Van Trease Directed by Bricken Sparacino
Stage Manager: Livia Taybor Hill Assistant Stage Manager: Jennifer Bruemmer
Scenic and Costume Design: Hellen Muller Lighting Design: Diana Kesselschmidt
Sound Design: Michael Lanning
Performed by: Ethan Angelica, Nicole Greevy, Justin Herfel, Annalyse McCoy, Gleen B. Stoops, Maureen Van Trease, Natalie Wilder, and Hannah Wolfe
Outstanding Overall Production of a Reading
WINNER: The Jamb by J. Stephen Brantley - Directed by Jonathan WarmanOutstanding Playwriting for a New Script of a Play
WINNER: Felipe Ossa for Monetizing EmmaOutstanding Book Music & Lyrics of A Musical or Musical Event
WINNER: Tony Asaro for the Music and Lyrics, and Dan Collins for the Book of Our Country
Nominated: Cheryl E. Kemeny for the Book, Music and Lyrics of Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled
Nominated: The Sisters Rock and The Waywards for the music and lyrics of the Spotlight On Variety Show
Nominated: Erato Kremmyda for the Music and Robin Sandusky for the Book and Lyrics of Wagon Wheel
Outstanding Band, Orchestra and/or Musician
WINNER: Eric Day, Matt Hinkley, Jeremy Pasha, Justin Smith, and Arvi Sreenivasan for Our CountryOutstanding Direction
WINNER: Jeremy Bloom for Wait of the WorldOutstanding Choreography (Fight or Dance)
WINNER: Chanda Calentine for the choreography of The Imaginary Invalid: By Prescription OnlyOutstanding Costume Design
WINNER: Rachel Klein for the costumes , Anita Rundles for the Make-up for HoundOutstanding Sound Design
WINNER: Daniel Mintseris for HER KIND: The Life and Poetry of Anne SextonOutstanding Scenic Design
WINNER: Zane Robert Enloe for America: A Problem Play
WINNER: Kina Park for Wrestling the Alligator
Nominated: Jasmine Vogue Pai for Monetizing Emma
Nominated: Sean Ward for Wait of the World
Nominated: Alyssa Erin Yackley for Wagon Wheel
Nominated: Yveyi Yi and Mario Corrales for Meredith's Ring and Anonymous
Outstanding Lighting Design
WINNER: Jessica Burgess for Cleopatra - A Life UnparalleledOutstanding Use Of Projections, Special Effects, and/or Multi-Media Event
WINNER: Jeremy Bloom and Sean Ward for the special effects of Wait of the WorldOutstanding Lead Actor in a Play
WINNER: James Arden for the role of Tony in Monetizing EmmaOutstanding Lead Actress in a Play
WINNER: Ayelet Blumberg for the role of Angelique in The Imaginary Invalid: By Prescription OnlyOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
WINNER: Ryan Knowles for the role of Sherlock Holmes in HoundOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
WINNER: Janice Mann for the role of Colleen in Monetizing EmmaOutstanding Actor in a Featured Role of a Play
WINNER: James B. Kennedy for the roles of Dirk/Ricky/Tithonus in New Beulah
WINNER: Marek Sapieyevski for the roles of Jane's Mom/Man 3/Cher in Everybody Dies
Nominated: Anthony Aguilar for the roles of Dr. 5/Thomas Diafoirus in The Imaginary Invalid: By Prescription Only
Nominated: Joe Fanelli for the role of David Lamb in Suckers
Nominated: Joe Tannenbaum for the role of Scientific Researcher in Wait of the World
Nominated: John Paul Skocik for the roles of Presenter/Conference Call Voice in Resignations
Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role of a Play
WINNER: Marisa Lark Wallin for the roles of Discount Donna/Dana in New BeulahOutstanding Lead Actor in a Musical, Play with Music, or Musical Event
WINNER: Justin Utley for the role of Tommy Dautry in Our Country
Nominated: Kena Anae for the role of Trevor Forde in Twin Towers
Nominated: Mike Longo for the role of Marc Antony in Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled
Nominated: Michael August Turley for the role of Laszo in Wagon Wheel
Nominated: Josh Woodie for the role of Julius Caesar in Cleopatra - A Life Unparalleled
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Play with Music, or Musical Event
WINNER: Melissa Labbadia for the role of Cleopatra in Cleopatra - A Life UnparalleledOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical, Play with Music, or Musical Event
WINNER: Sam Pinkleton for the role of Bohdan in Wagon WheelOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Play with Music, or Musical Event
WINNER: Jennifer Van Buskirk for the role of Fulvia in Cleopatra - A Life UnparalleledOutstanding Actor in a One-Act Production
WINNER: Ethan Angelica for the role of He in Here We Are from Those Whistling Lads: Stories and Poetry of Dorothy ParkerOutstanding Actress in a One-Act Production
WINNER: Daina Schatz for various roles in Instant Happy!Outstanding Performance in a Solo Show
WINNER: Danielle Patsakos for the role of Woman in What Are You Doing Here?Outstanding Performance in a Reading
WINNER: Lucia Spina as Hilda in Howling HildaOutstanding Ensemble
WINNER: The Cast of New Beulah: Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Hadley Cronk, Emma Galvin, Carl Howell, James B. Kennedy, Nathaniel Kent, Emily Kenyon Scott and Marisa Lark Wallin Nominated: The Cast of Designer X, Your Face, What Are You Doing Here?: Jeffery Steven Allen, Paul Daily, Sarah Doudna, Stacie Greenwell, Barbara Mundy and Danielle PatsakosNominated: The Cast of Monetizing Emma: James Arden, Dawn Jamieson, Janice Mann, Daniella Rabbani, Tovah Rose and Nitya Vidyasagar
Nominated: The Cast of The Imaginary Invalid: By Prescription Only : Anthony Aguilar, Melanie Bell, Ayelet Blumberg, Chris Cornwell, Michelle Foytek, Kevin Mitchell, Stasi Schaeffer, Harlan Short, Emily Tuckman, Kymberly Tuttle and Ebru Yonak
Nominated: The Cast of Wait of the World: Jenny Checchia, Harry Einhorn, Joyce Miller, Rachel Richman and Joe TannenbaumOutstanding Postcard and Program
WINNER: Leah Bonvissuto for Monetizing EmmaCongeniality Award
WINNER: Sergei Burbank Actor/Playwright and Ryan Mueller – Lighting Designer of Wrestling the Alligator
Sergei worked on three different PC shows and was above and beyond friendly. Ryan fixed the White Box grid and connection problems at one point and volunteered his time to assist and help out with any other further tech needs. They were always on time. They always had a smile and a friendly greeting when they were in the space, whether it was for their own show, for rehearsal or to see another show.
WINNER: Teresa Fischer – Actress of By Special Arrangement
Teresa helped the festivity staff strike for free. She also was instrumental in the lounge, and the Spotlight On Variety Show. She is dedicated and always helps out. When one of the productions cancelled at the last minute, Teresa stepped in with her own show and gave ALL of the ticket sales to Planet Connections.
WINNER: Nathaniel Kent – Actor/Producer of New Beulah
Nathaniel is extremely polite and positive at all times. He saw a lot of the productions in the festivity. His excitement, friendliness and professionalism are contagious.
WINNER: Oscar A. Mendoza, and Gabriel Comrie-Pepin – Director/Designer of Designer X, Your Face, What Are You Doing Here?
Oscar and Gabriel were patient and incredibly kind. They actually came in during down times between other show's techs to help fix and adjust things in the Robert Moss that not only helped their show, but all others as well.
WINNER: Duncan Pflaster - Playwright/Director of Suckers
Duncan designed the festivity postcards and brochures for free. He also helped out with the intern show. He threw a great party in the lounge, was respectful and helped to clean up when it was time to go. He saw the majority of the shows in the festival because he likes to support the other artists.
WINNER: Rodney Reyes – Playwright of Anonymous
Rodney offered set pieces to other groups, was super-friendly, and when sound for one of the other shows didn't work, he let them use his laptop and even went so far as to run the sound for the other show.
This year's Spotlight On Planet Connections awards will dedicate a portion of the ceremony to honoring performances from the prior Spotlight On Variety shows performed in and around the New York/New Jersey area. This year's honorees are:
Candice Corbin - Best Variety Show Guest Vocalist
Sisters Rock - Best Variety Show - Comic performance
Iffy & Rusty - Best Variety Show - Band (or Musical Act - tie)
The Chardonairs - Best Variety Show - Band (or Musical Act - tie)
Tommy Barz - Best Variety Show –solo performance