3 South Jersey Theater Companies Up For Statewide Awards

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — Three local theater companies are up for multiple BroadwayWorld New Jersey Awards, encouraging a friendly competition to see who is the best in the state.

East Lynne Theater Co. (Cape May), Fool Moon Theatre Co. (Margate) and Studio;Space (Somers Point) were all nominated.

The nominations were submitted by readers of BroadwayWorld, which covers theater happenings on Broadway, London’s West End, 100 U.S. cities, and 45 countries. The New Jersey Awards span the entire state’s regional productions, touring shows, and more which performed between Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.

Categories run the gamut from Best Show, Best Set Design, Best Costumes and, of course, Favorite Local Theater.

“We are thrilled to have been nominated by our audiences for BroadwayWorld New Jersey Awards,” said Craig Fols, artistic director at East Lynne, who, along with the theater company, is up for awards for directing and playwriting. “Regardless of who wins, we are happy to share nominations with these other regional theater companies. It just goes to prove that you don’t have to go to Philadelphia or New York to see great theater. We have award-nominated—and hopefully some award-winning—performing arts right here in South Jersey.

The public is invited to vote for their favorite productions, actors, directors, and many more at
BroadwayWorld.com/new-jersey. Voting goes through Dec. 31, and winners will be announced in January. Below are the nominees from each theatrical group:

EAST LYNNE THEATER CO.
Best Direction (Play): Craig Fols, Driving Miss Daisy
Best Direction (Play): Craig Fols, A Tale of Two Cities, Cobbled Together by the Brothers Lovejoy
Best New Play/Musical A Tale of Two Cities, Cobbled Together by the Brothers Lovejoy
Best Play: A Tale of Two Cities, Cobbled Together by the Brothers Lovejoy
Favorite Local Theater: East Lynne Theater Company

FOOL MOON THEATRE CO.
Best Ensemble: Clue
Best Lighting Design: Joseph Lazurus, Clue
Best Scenic Design: Joseph Lazurus, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Best Performer (Play): Pamela Dollak, Clue
Best Performer (Play): Nicholas Efstatos, Clue
Best Performer (Play): William Leiby, Lost in Yonkers
Best Performer (Play): Kate Read, Lost in Yonkers
Best Supporting Performer (Play): Gary Poetsch, Clue
Best Supporting Performer (Play): Kate Read, Lost in Yonkers
Best Supporting Performer (Play): Kerry Burns, Lost in Yonkers
Best Supporting Performer (Musical): Mike Palmreuter, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Best Direction (Musical): Kim Tucker, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Best Direction (Play): Paul Herron, Lost in Yonkers
Best Musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Best Play: Clue
Best Play: Lost in Yonkers
Best Performer (Musical): Joey Mangum, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Best Performer (Musical): Michael Moore, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Favorite Local Theater: Fool Moon Theater

SPQR STAGE CO. (STUDIO;SPACE)
Best Direction (Play): Bill Sterritt, Modern Drama
Best Ensemble: Modern Drama
Best Performer (Play): Finnigan Keane, Modern Drama
Best Play: Modern Drama
Favorite Local Theater: Studio;Space

For more information on East Lynne Theater Company, go to EastLynneTheater.org; for Fool Moon Theatre Company, go to FoolMoonTheatre.org, and for SPQR Stage Company, StudioSpaceSPNJ.com/spqr.