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2015 productions honored in multiple categories including acting and musical direction

Local theatre critics recently honored Porthouse Theatre, 5X����’s summer professional theatre, for achievements during the theatre’s 2015 season. The theatre’s 2015 productions were recognized in multiple categories including acting, directing, musical direction, choreography, and costume and scenic design.

Cleveland Jewish News critic Bob Abelman recognized Associate Professor Jonathan Swoboda as the year’s Best Musical Director for his work on A Little Night Music. In his “Best Theatre of 2015” article, Abelman applauded Swoboda’s “superb musical direction” and praised his ability to capture the production’s complex musical numbers using a string quintet.

The Cleveland Critics Circle recognized nine members of the 2015 Porthouse Theatre company in its annual Cleveland Critics Circle Awards. The awards recognize outstanding Cleveland-area productions, performers, directors and designers who contribute to the professional theatre scene.

• Kent State Assistant Professor Amy Fritsche won Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Violet in Violet.

• Swoboda won for Best Musical Direction for A Little Night Music. Swoboda also received Superior Achievement recognition in the Musical Direction category for Hairspray.

• Porthouse’s productions of A Little Night Music and Violet received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Musical Production category.

• John R. Crawford-Spinelli, dean of Kent State’s College of the Arts, received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Choreographer category for Hairspray.

• Kent State Assistant Professor Jennifer Korecki received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Musical Direction category for Violet.
• Kent State Associate Professor S.Q. Campbell received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Costume Design category for A Little Night Music.
• Jared Dixon received Superior Achievement twice in the Best Actor in a Musical category for his performances in Violet and Hairspray.

• Lucy Anders received Superior Achievement in the Best Actress in a Musical category for her performance in A Little Night Music.

• Sean Morrissey received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Direction of a Musical category for his direction of A Little Night Music.
• Steven C. Anderson received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Direction of a Musical category for his direction of Violet.

Porthouse Theatre’s 2015 season also was recognized by Roy Berko, American Critics Association critic and BroadwayWorld.com contributor, in his “2015 Times Theater Tributes.”

• Porthouse Theatre’s production of Violet won in the Outstanding Musical Production category. The theatre’s production of Hairspray also was recognized in the category.
• Fritsche won in the Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Musical category for Violet.
• Swoboda won in the Outstanding Musical Director category for Hairspray.
• Anderson won in the Outstanding Director of a Musical Category.
• Terri Kent, professor and Porthouse producing artistic director, was recognized in the Outstanding Director of a Musical category for Hairspray.
• Crawford-Spinelli was recognized in the Outstanding Choreography in a Theatre Production category for Hairspray.
• Korecki was recognized in the Outstanding Musical Director category for Violet.
• Campbell was recognized in the Outstanding Costume Design category for A Little Night Music.
• Kent State alumnus Nolan O’Dell was recognized in the Outstanding Scenic Design category for Hairspray.
• Dixon was recognized in the Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Musical category for Violet and Hairspray.

Learn more about Kent State’s Porthouse Theatre.