the TUny awards

I've been meaning to post this update for a little while now. Earlier this month, Theatre Unleashed held its annual Christmas party. In years past, the company parties have been relatively intimate affairs where everyone got together and hung out. However, this year we went all out - a potluck dinner, a Yankee swap, and everyone dressed in their finest for the first-ever TUny Awards. These were strictly in-house awards - nominees were selected by the company's Executive Committe (full disclosure - I'm a member of said committee, but I'm not the only one that nominated the show for either award) and the winners were voted on by the membership at large. I'm proud to say that Friends Like These's FringeNYC run earned nominations for both Best Show of 2010 and Best Director (Sean Fitzgerald and Vance Roi Reyes). In the end, the Best Show of 2010 went to 25 Plays Per Hour, but Sean and Vance were awarded a very well-deserved accolade for their efforts in helming this show through its first four incarnations. Congratulations, guys!

Y'know, a lot of people think that saying "It's an honor just to be nominated" is a joke, but in this case it really is. An honor, not a joke. I know this isn't the Golden Globes or the Tonys, but in a lot of ways, this is even more significant. These awards were picked and voted upon by our peers, our friends, our family. I'm deeply touched that we were nominated, especially since only Sean, Erin, Jenn and I were the only company members that were able to see the run in New York. I'm so grateful for the love and respect the company has shown this show and so happy for Sean and Vance. For all of the time, energy and passion they put into this project, they certainly deserved it.

So, thank you Theatre Unleashed for considering our show one of the Best of 2010, and thank you for taking a moment to acknowledge two of the best directors I've worked with. Here's to more success in 2011!