Photo Flash: Jane Kaczmarek and Herbert Siguenza Hosting 2012 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards!

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2012 season, were presented last night, November 12, at the Los Angeles Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Scroll below for photos of hosts Jane Kaczmarek and Herbert Siguenza and the honorees!

Thirty-five awards were bestowed upon 13 different Southern California theatre companies. Leading the pack with 13 awards was Center Theatre Group (The Convert at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; Waiting for Godot at the Mark Taper Forum; War Horse at the Ahmanson Theatre; and Best Season), followed by Celebration Theatre with six (The Color Purple: A Musical), and Musical Theatre West with four (Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Volume 2; Hairspray; and Man of La Mancha). The Antaeus Company (Peace In Our Time), and Theatre @ Boston Court (The Children) took home two awards each.

LA Stage Alliance CEO Terence McFarland commented, "Tonight's recipients reflect the diverse and rich landscape of greater Los Angeles theatre. The Ovation Awards are a celebration of excellence, and one way that LA Stage Alliance shines a light on the fantastic work of our LA theatre artists. Theatres across the country should take note that these are the best of the best, and hire an Ovation Award-winning LA theatre artist today!" For a complete list of winners, visit www.LASTAGEOvations.com.

Additionally, Sarah Lyding, Executive Director of the Biller Family Foundation, presented the Biller BEST (Building Excellence in Small Theatre) Awards, including checks totaling $100,000, to the following LA theatre companies: About Productions, The Antaeus Company, CASA 0101, Circle X Theatre Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA, Independent Shakespeare Company, A Noise Within, and The Theatre @ Boston Court. Laura Penn, Executive Director of SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society), presented the 2012 Zelda Fichandler Award, for transforming the landscape of regional theatre through unique and creative work, to Cornerstone Theatre Company founder and current Artistic Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Bill Rauch. Center Theatre Group presented the 2012 Sherwood Award, for innovative and adventurous artists, to Los Angeles-based playwright and director John Sinner. This award is endowed by the Sherwood family, and is accompanied by $10,000 to further Sinner’s artistic work. LA Stage Alliance was also presented with a Commendation from the office of California Assembly Speaker John Perez, for the commitment and unwavering compassion that LA STAGE has dedicated to the performing arts in the City of Los Angeles. Hosted by Jane Kaczmarek and Culture Clash co-founder Herbert Siguenza, this year’s presenters included many local performers, city officials, union reps, artistic and executive directors, stage managers and publicists, and included (in alphabetical order) Patrick J. Adams, Lindsay Allbaugh, LJ Benet, Seamus Dever, Elizabeth Doran, Kristy Edmunds, Davis Gaines, Glenne Headly, Nikki Hyde, Leslie Ito, Brian Kite, Christine Lakin, Michele Lee, Dawnn Lewis, Monique L'Heureaux, Sarah Lyding, Lesli Margherita, Gates McFadden, Jessica Wethington McLean, Laura Penn, Assembly Speaker John Perez, Bill Rauch, Allison Rawlings, Mark Roberts, Kirsten Vangsness, Ken Werther, Vanessa Williams, and Charlayne Woodard.

LA Stage Alliance is dedicated to building awareness, appreciation and support for the performing arts in Greater Los Angeles through community building, collaborative marketing/ audience development, professional development to strengthen the sector, and advocacy. Providing access to the performing arts for patrons and access to information and resources for organizations has been the mission of the Alliance for over 35 years. The Alliance connects artists and arts administrators from over 500 groups annually in a six county region with opportunities to engage, inspire, educate and entertain over four million households that engage with the arts in our community. The Alliance engenders a stronger and more connected creative Los Angeles.

Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Hosts Jane Kaczmarek and Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash Founding Member

Host Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash Founding Member dressed as the "Phantom of the Opera"

Host Jane Kaczmarek

Host Jane Kaczmarek

Hosts Jane Kaczmarek and Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash Founding Member

CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, accepts the Ovation for Best Presented Production for "War Horse" at the Center Theatre Group Ahmanson Theatre.

CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie

Terence McFarland, Executive Producer LA Stage Alliance

Actress Christine Lakin and Davis Gaines

Lindsay Albaugh

John Sinner receives the Sherwood Award from Lindsay Albaugh.

Susanne Blakeslee accepts her Ovation for Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Woman I in "Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Volume 2".

Venessa Williams, Seamus Dever and Dawnn Lewis

Davis Gaines accepts his Ovation for Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Cervantes/Quixote in "Man of La Mancha".

Pascale Armand accepts her Ovation for Lead Actress in a Play for her role as Jekesai/Ester in "The Convert".

Pascale Armand accepts her Ovation for Lead Actress in a Play for her role as Jekesai/Ester in "The Convert".

Alan Mandell accepts his Ovation for Lead Actor in a Play for his role as Estragon in "Waiting for Godot".

From left, Alan Mandell, Lead Actor in a Play for his role as Estragon in "Waiting for Godot" is about to get hugged by "Godot" co-star Barry McGovern.

Barry McGovern accepts the Ovation on behalf of the rest of the cast of "Waiting for Godot", LJ Benet, Alan Mandell and Hugo Armstrong.

Ken Werther and Allison Rawlings

Brian Kite, Producing Artistic Director La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

CTG Managing Director Edward L. Rada accepts award for Best Season for Center Theatre Group with hosts Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash Founding Member and Jane Kaczmarek.

CTG Managing Director Edward L. Rada accepts award for Best Season for Center Theatre Group.

Nikki Hyde and LJ Benet

Zainab Jah accepts her Ovation for Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Prudence in "The Convert".

Zainab Jah wins Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Prudence in "The Convert".

Monique L'Heureux and actress Kristen Vangsness

Shon LeBlanc accepts his Ovation for Costume Design Intimate Theater for "I Love Lucy Live On Stage".

John Zlewski accepts his Ovation for Sound Design Large Theater for "A Wrinkle In Time".

Actor Patrick Adams

Actors Gates McFadden and Patrick Adams

Hugo Armstrong accepts his Ovation for Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Lucky in "Waiting for Godot".

Actors Gates McFadden and Patrick Adams

Hosts Jane Kaczmarek and Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash Founding Member

Lesli Marherita and Leslie Ito

La Toya London, Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Shug Avery in "The Color Purple: A Musical" and Hugo Armstrong, Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Lucky in "Waiting for Godot" dance onstage.

Todrick Hall accepts his Ovation for Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Seaweed J. Stubbs in "Hairspray".

Michael Matthews accepts his Ovation for Director of a Musical for "The Color Purple: A Musical", presenters Bill Rauch and Laura Penn.

Mark Roberts and Charlayne Woodard

Michael Shepperd accepts the Ovation on behalf of the cast for Acting Ensemble for a Musical "The Color Purple: A Musical".

"Peace In Our Time" wins for Best Production of a Play Intimate Theatre.

"The Color Purple" cast win Best Production of a Musical, Intimate Theater.

The stage during the 2012 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards ceremony.

The stage during the 2012 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards ceremony.

2012 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards Ceremony