The Talkin' Broadway 2008 Summer Theatre Festival Citations recognize new plays and musicals selected by our panel of jurors as ready to move to the next level of production and development, and to performers of demonstrated excellence.

Outstanding New Play

The Alice Complex by Peter Barr Nickowitz as presented at New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Peter Filichia

Couldn’t Say by Christopher Wall as presented at Midtown International Theatre Festival, awarded by Matthew Murray

Vincent River by Philip Ridley as presented at Brits Off-Broadway, awarded by Andy Propst

Good Pictures by Ashlin Halfnight as presented at The New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Linda Tullberg

Outstanding New Musical

About Face Book by David Arthur, Music by Jeffrey Lodin, Lyrics by David Arthur as presented at The New York Musical Theatre Festival, awarded by Peter Filichia

Green Eyes Songs by Brian Mazzaferri, Choreography by Lizzie Leopold as presented at The New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Matthew Murray

Perez Hilton Saves the Universe (or at least the greater Los Angeles area): The Musical Book by Randy Blair and Timothy Michael Drucker, Music by Zachary Redler, Lyrics by Randy Blair as presented at The New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Andy Propst

Love, Jerry Book, Music, and Lyrics by Megan Gogerty as presented at The New York Musical Theatre Festival, awarded by Linda Tullberg

Outstanding Actor (Male)

Andrew Ellison for his performance in Intimate Exchanges at The Midtown International Theatre Festival, awarded by Peter Filichia

J.T. Arbogast for his performance in Love Jerry at The New York Musical Theatre Festival, awarded by Matthew Murray

Bill Connington for his performance in Zombie at The New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Andy Propst

Harris Doran for his performance in Love Jerry at The New York Musical Theatre Festival, awarded by Linda Tullberg

Outstanding Actor (Female)

Carol Lempert for her performance in That Dorothy Parker at The New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Peter Filichia

Elizabeth Rich for her performance in Couldn’t Say at The Midtown International Theatre Festival, awarded by Matthew Murray

Lisa Ramirez for her performance in Exit Cuckoo at The Midtown International Theatre Festival, awarded by Andy Propst

Molly Bell for her performance in Becoming Britney at The New York International Fringe Festival, awarded by Linda Tullberg

'Wild Card' Citation

Peter Filichia awards a Citation to Heather Laws, portraying Kathie Lee Gifford in She Can't Believe She Said That at The New York Musical Theatre Festival, not only for brilliantly capturing the character, but also for carrying the entire show on her amazingly sturdy shoulders.

Matthew Murray awards a Citation for Outstanding Ensemble to the Cast of Green Eyes at The New York International Fringe Festival: Nick Blaemire, Melissa Bloch, Celina Carvajal, and Ryan Watkinson.

Andy Propst awards a Citation to Gyda Arber for creating an inventive and thoroughly fascinating interactive theater piece for four people in Suspicious Package, part of the Brick Theater’s The Film Festival: A Theater Festival.

Linda Tullberg awards a Citation to the talented and energetic Cast of Bedbugs! at The New York Musical Theatre Festival.

2008 Panel of Jurors

Peter Filichia, Theater Critic, Newark Star-Ledger
Matthew Murray, Chief New York Theater Critic, Talkin' Broadway
Andy Propst, AmericanTheaterWeb.com
Linda Tullberg, Management Consultant and Talkin' Broadway Staff

Guidelines for Talkin' Broadway Festival Citations

Talkin' Broadway Summer Theatre Festival Citation candidates will include (but are not limited to) eligible productions (off-off-Broadway productions with public performances between June 29 and October 5) and performers from:

HOT! The NYC Celebration of Queer Culture
The Ice Factory
The Fresh Fruit Festival
The Midtown International Theatre Festival
American Living Room
The New York International Fringe Festival
The New York Musical Theatre Festival

Each juror may individually award a Talkin' Broadway Summer Theatre Festival Citation in five categories:

1. Outstanding New Play

2. Outstanding New Musical

3. Outstanding Actor (Male)

4. Outstanding Actor (Female)

5. 'Wild Card' A Citation for a theatrical event or performance which does not easily fit in any other category. (Any juror may opt to not award a 'Wild Card' Citation at their discretion.) This wild card Citation may also be used to recognize a 'tie' in any other category for each juror, or to recognize a production or performer in any category from other than one of the primary festivals listed above.