 | | Matthew Detmer in A Prayer for Owen Meany. Photo: Stan Barouh |
Round House Theatre's production of A Prayer for Owen Meany directed by Blake Robison has been nominated for the 2007 Helen Hayes Award for "Outstanding Resident Play." One of the country's most prestigious cultural honors, The Helen Hayes Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Nominated for the "Outstanding Resident Play" honor last year for columbinus, Round House Theatre is a three-time winner of this prestigious award for its productions of: The Drawer Boy (2004), Home (2002), and The Glass Menagerie (2001).
Blake Robison, the company's Producing Artistic Director, was nominated for "Outstanding Director" in the resident play category. "This is a tremendous honor. I feel privileged to work at an institution that embraces risky, epic work on this scale. The production's success is a testament to our ensemble of artists and our adventurous audiences."
Two members of the Owen Meany cast were nominated for acting honors. Matthew Detmer, a Round House Associate Artist, was nominated the "Outstanding Lead Actor" award in a resident play for his portrayal of Owen Meany. Gia Mora was recognized in the "Outstanding Supporting Actress" category for her work as Tabitha Wheelwright.
In the design area, Matthew M. Nielson was nominated for the "Outstanding Sound Design" award for his complex, exciting score of effects, composition, and rock music.
ABOUT A Prayer for Owen Meany
A Prayer for Owen Meany by celebrated British playwright Simon Bent, is an emotionally searing American epic adapted from John Irving's acclaimed 1989 novel. The play is a sublime meditation on faith, fate, and friendship set against a backdrop of turbulent American politics. Universally praised and greeted by thunderous standing ovations, A Prayer for Owen Meany shattered the company's box office records and quickly became the #1 non-musical ticket draw in the company's history.
CRITICAL PRAISE FOR A Prayer for Owen Meany
A towering production...Owen Meany soars.
The Washington Post
Epically directed by artistic director Blake Robison...far-reaching, visually majestic and sublimely acted.
The Washington Times
**** Washingtonian
Visually fluid and gorgeous to watch...a beautifully staged production and really really engaging and fascinating. It's terrific.
Bob Mondello-WETA's "Out and About"
An American epic [with] plenty to catch the eye (to say nothing of the ear) in Blake Robison's rousing, handsome staging
Washington City Paper
Matthew Detmer gives a stunning performance as Owen Meany.
DC Theatre Reviews
#1 pick for the fall
Washington Theater Review
With a dash of black humor to temper its intimate meditation on faith and hypocrisy, A Prayer for Owen Meany proves an irresistible examination of fate and the belief in a higher power. The beauty in Robison's production is how it gently raises huge questions and, however unlikely they may seem, provides equally huge answers.
Metro Weekly
An epic work [of] whimsy, fury and intense beauty [enhanced by] Blake Robison's sensitive direction and James Kronzer's deceptively simple set.
Talking Broadway
"Theatrical magic"
Potomac Stages
ABOUT THE AWARDS CEREMONY
The 2007 Helen Hayes Award winners will be announced on April 16 at a ceremony at the Warner Theatre. A complete list of the 2007 Helen Hayes Award nominees may be found at: http://www.helenhayes.org/sub/nr.cfm.
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