From the moment I set foot on Florida Atlantic University’s campus, I knew Monday, November 17 was going to be an unforgettable night. After all, for one glittering evening, the University Theatre was home to South Florida’s version of Broadway’s Tony Awards, the Carbonell Awards. This marked the 48th year of South Florida’s Theater & Arts Honors, and to make things even more exciting, this ceremony was the first to be held in Palm Beach County since 1997. Named for acclaimed sculptor Manuel Carbonell, who designed the bronze and marble award that is given to the winners, the Carbonell Awards aim to recognize excellent theater in the region, spanning Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. Their mission is to “foster the artistic growth of professional theater in South Florida by celebrating the excellence and diversity of our theater artists, providing educational scholarships, and building audience appreciation and civic pride by highlighting achievements of our theater community.” Needless to say, this awards ceremony was a beautiful encapsulation of that mission!
One might say that the night doesn’t truly begin until you find the theatre…in which case, you might be waiting a little longer than expected. After a few false starts and wrong turns, my best friend and I were lucky enough to catch a ride on a passing golf cart and find our seats just in time for the opening number, a rousing rendition of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Performed by a gifted group of soloists along with the Carbonell Orchestra and the FAU Musical Theatre Vocal Ensemble, the song was a beautiful reminder of what theater is for so many people; the opportunity to be one’s authentic self, realize one’s own worth, experience unbridled joy. Up to 500 actors, musicians, performers, writers, directors, backstage technicians, producers, reviewers, designers, specialty artists, and theater enthusiasts were in attendance to celebrate just that—the magic to be found in live theater, our luck that so much of it takes place here in South Florida, and perhaps most of all, the talented people who make it possible every day.
There to help kick off the night and keep everything running smoothly were the ceremony’s hosts, Diana Garle, Bruce Linser, Karen Stephens, and Randall Swinton. The hosts provided plenty of humor, wit, and fun alongside their commentary, and played off of each other so naturally. They began presenting the awards, recognizing standouts in scenic, costume, and sound design, acting, direction, and so many more.
It was wonderful to see everyone’s hard work get acknowledged in the award presentations. Just as delightful? The showstopping performances from shows in the 2024-25 season interspersed between them. Stars of various local productions, including Slow Burn Theatre Company’s Anastasia, Actors’ Playhouse’s Waitress, The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Guys and Dolls, Area Stage’s Tarzan, and Island City Stage’s The Fantasticks, dazzled the audience and, quite literally, gave me goosebumps. Not to mention the touching Into the Woods tribute delivered by The Carbonell Orchestra and the FAU Student Wind Ensemble, in memory of the special members of the South Florida theater community we lost this year. The care each person put into these performances was evident.
Beyond the standard award categories, the Carbonell Awards also presented eight special awards and awarded three high school students with college scholarships to pursue education in the visual and/or performing arts, as well as in the journalism field. These awards highlighted specific individuals’ unique achievements, and showed how they have contributed to the growth and success of theater in the region.
After the ceremony, guests had the opportunity to attend a star-studded afterparty. At the ceremony’s conclusion, the cheer and celebration in the air was palpable. Overall, the Carbonell Awards were a fantastic opportunity to gather together and honor the 2024-25 season, and the amazing accomplishments made in the South Florida theater world this past year. Live theater breaks our hearts and also warms them; makes us think about the world around us and also serves as a way for us to escape the outside noise for a bit; encourages us to consider what sets us apart from others and also inspires us to reflect on the universal, the moments and experiences we can all share. All of these different contradictions and more are part of what makes theater so incredible, in my view, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to help commemorate that on Monday night. Here’s to a fabulous next season!
See below for a complete list of the award categories, finalists, and winners.
Outstanding New Work
WINNER: The Last Yiddish Speaker by Deborah Zoe Laufer (Theatre Lab)
Dangerous Instruments by Gina Montet (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
Lincoln Road Hustle by Billy Corben & Harley Elias (Miami New Drama)
PrEP’d by Ronnie Larsen (Ronnie Larsen Presents / Plays of Wilton)
The Impossible Task of Today by Jeff Bower (Theatre Lab)
Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz by Nilo Cruz (Arca Images)
Outstanding Production, Play
WINNER: Appropriate (GableStage)
Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
The Pillowman (Zoetic Stage)
Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz (Arca Images)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Outstanding Direction, Play
WINNER: Stuart Meltzer, The Pillowman (Zoetic Stage)
Nilo Cruz, Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz (Arca Images)
Peter Flynn, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Michel Hausmann, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Ronnie Larsen, An Evening with Divine (Ronnie Larsen Presents/ Plays of Wilton)
Bari Newport, Appropriate (GableStage)
Jason Peck, All My Sons (New City Players)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Play
WINNER: Iain Batchelor, The Impossible Task of Today (Theatre Lab)
Mark H. Dold, Appropriate (GableStage)
Michael Gioia, All My Sons (New City Players)
Jean Hyppolite, Jesus Hopped the A Train (Marshall L. Davis Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center)
Tony Larkin, Appropriate (GableStage)
Colin McPhillamy, The Dresser (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
Jeremy Rishe, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Play
WINNER: Andrea Ferro, Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz (Arca Images)
Dalia Aleman, Steel Magnolias (ArtBuzz Theatrics)
Rachel Burttram, Appropriate (GableStage)
Elba Escobar, La Travesia/The Passage (Arca Images)
Vaishnavi Sharma, The Impossible Task of Today (Theatre Lab)
Caroline Tarantolo, All My Sons (New City Players)
Laura Turnbull, All My Sons (New City Players)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Play
WINNER: Seth Trucks, The Pillowman (Zoetic Stage)
Brandon Campbell, All My Sons (New City Players)
Jovon Jacobs, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Michael McKeever, The Pillowman (Zoetic Stage)
Carlos Fabian Medina, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Gregg Weiner, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Play
WINNER: Betty Ann Hunt Strain, A Delicate Balance (Island City Stage)
Irene Adjan, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Denise Cormier, The Dresser (Palm Beach Dramaworks)
Patti Gardner, The Last Yiddish Speaker (Theatre Lab)
Elli Katz Murray, Steel Magnolias (ArtBuzz Theatrics)
Lourelene Snedeker, Torch Song (Ronnie Larsen Presents / Plays of Wilton!)
Outstanding Production, Musical
WINNER: Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Legally Blonde (Broadway at LPAC)
Parade (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Direction, Musical
WINNER: Patrick Fitzwater, Parade (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
David Arisco, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Mark Martino, Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Giancarlo Rodaz, Tarzan (Area Stage)
John Tartaglia, Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Michael Ursua, Legally Blonde (Broadway at LPAC)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Musical
WINNER: Jack Wesley Gerhard, Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Justin Albinder, Parade (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Jarod Bakum, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Wayne LeGette, Legally Blonde (Broadway at LPAC)
Gabriell Salgado, The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Joshua Charles Skurnik, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Wesley Slade, Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Musical
WINNER: Mikayla Cohen, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Tristen Buettel, Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Lindsey Corey, Waitress (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Mallory Newbrough, Guys & Dolls (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Casey Sacco, South Pacific (Broadway at LPAC)
Erica Swindell, Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Ta-Tynisa Wilson, The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Musical
WINNER: Aaron DeJesus, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Nick Cearley, Waitress (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Nathan Cockroft, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Quinn Corcoran, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Sean Williams Davis, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Ralph Meitzler, Something Rotten (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Musical
WINNER: Lillie Eliza Thomas, The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Gail Bennett, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Kareema Khouri, Waitress (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Marisol Morales-Dow, South Pacific (Broadway at LPAC)
Samara Shavrick, Legally Blonde (Broadway at LPAC)
Laura Turnbull, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Music Direction
WINNER: Maggie Hollinbeck, Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Eric Alsford, Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Ryan Crout, The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Katie Duerr, Tarzan (Area Stage)
Clay Ostwald, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Carlos Silva, Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz (Arca Images)
Travis Smith, Parade (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Choreography
WINNER: Alex Jorth, Legally Blonde (Broadway at LPAC)
Jeremy Benton, No, No Nanette (The Wick Theatre)
Sarah Crane, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Kristyn Pope, Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Nicolette Quintero, Something Rotten (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Reynel Reynaldo, The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Trent Soyster, The Witches of Eastwick (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Scenic Design, Play, or Musical
WINNER: Frank J. Oliva, Appropriate (GableStage)
Pedro Balmaseda & Jorge Noa, The Play That Goes Wrong (Loxen Entertainment)
Milagros Ponce De Leon, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Michael McClain, All My Sons (New City Players)
Anne Mundell, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Rob Wolin, A Delicate Balance (Island City Stage)
Outstanding Lighting Design, Play or Musical
WINNER: Tony Galaska, Appropriate (GableStage)
Kirk Bookman, Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Eric Norbury, Anastasia (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Ernesto Pinto, Tebas Land (Arca Images)
Alberto Segarra, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Thomas Shorrock, The Last Yiddish Speaker (Theatre Lab)
Clifford Spulock, The Witches of Eastwick (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Outstanding Sound Design, Play or Musical
WINNER: Tyler Kieffer, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Alex Brock, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Matt Corey, The Last Yiddish Speaker (Theatre Lab)
Sean McGinley, Appropriate (GableStage)
Carlos Silva, Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz (Arca Images)
Scott Stauffer, Once (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Outstanding Costume Design, Play or Musical
WINNER: Gema Valdés, Tres Veces Cruz/Three Times Cruz (Arca Images)
Siena Zoë Allen, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Lorena Lopez, Appropriate (Gable Stage)
Rick Peña, The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre Company)
Michiko Kitayama Skinner, Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama)
Ellis Tillman, Jersey Boys (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre)
Outstanding Achievement of an Artistic Specialty
WINNER: Jamie Godwin for Projection Design, Appropriate (GableStage)
Jameela Bailey for Props/Set Dressing, All My Sons (New City Players)
Shawn Duan for Projection Design, The Lehman Trilogy (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
Michael McKeever for Illustration/Animation, The Pillowman (Zoetic Stage)
Evan Northrup for Illusion Design, Fat Ham (Brévo Theatre, GableStage, Island City Stage)
Mark Rabe for Musical Direction/Accompanist, Groucho (The Wick Theatre)
Eric Wright for Puppet Design, Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre)
The George Abbott Award For Outstanding Achievement in the Arts
WINNER: William Hayes & Sue Ellen Beryl, Co-founders of Palm Beach Dramaworks
The Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships & The Hap Erstein Memorial Scholarships
WINNERS:
DeJaya Hardy – Miami-Dade County
Alexa Isabel Lasanta – Palm Beach County
Jack Bear Ryan – Broward County
The Vinnette Carroll Award
WINNER: Michel Hausmann
The Ruth Foreman Award
WINNER: Alexa Kuve
The Bill Hindman Award
WINNER: Beverly Blanchette
The Howard Kleinberg Award
WINNER: Harvey J. Burstein, Miamiartzine
The Jan McArt Award
WINNER: New City Players
The Bill von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence
WINNER: GableStage
The Charlie Cinnamon Award
WINNER: Mary Damiano
