It’s hard to be an artistic pessimist in Boston. Sure, theater attendance can be a tenuous issue; sure, it’s easy to overlook a seemingly small cultural hub like Beantown. I don’t want to downplay the serious challenges the theatre community faces in light of higher audience distractability and greater pressure to procure profits. But the theatrical endeavors I have witnessed in 2014 have done more than just boost my morale. I am genuinely excited about the new work I will see in 2015, challenging plays creatively staged from professional to fringe to community groups alike. But before we look forward to the new year, let’s review the knockout performances that stunned us in 2014

Any production that a My Entertainment World reviewer saw between January 1st and December 31st 2014 is qualified for an award, so the staff of My Theatre (Boston) meticulously reviewed our notes to find the best productions, performances, and other theatrical contributions of the year.

All nominees are invited to join our annual Nominee Interview Series.
Email boston@myentertainmentworld.ca for more information.

Nominees in the Toronto and New York divisions as well as the My TV and My Cinema Awards will also be announced today. Winners in early April.

Congratulations to All and Thanks for a Great Year of Theatre!

Here are your nominees…

Best New Work
Creative License by Kevin Cirone (Davis Square Theatre)
Astro Boy and the God of Comics (Company One)

Best Actor
Peyton Pugmire in Angels in America (The Umbrella)
Nael Nacer in Sila (The Underground Railway Theater)
Marc St. Pierre in The Elephant Man (Salem Theatre Company)
Alex Pollock in The Flick (Company One)
Andrew Giordano in Les Miserables (Company Theater)
David Lucey in Creative License (Davis Square Theatre)

Best Actress
Sophorl Ngin in Sila (The Underground Railway Theater)
Linda Goetz in The Elephant Man (Salem Theatre Company)
Eunice Wong in Smart People (Huntington Theatre Company)
Elizabeth Anne Rimar in Tongue of a Bird (New Repertory Theatre)
Aliana De la Guardia in Gallo (Guerilla Opera)
Jennifer Glick in Les Miserables (Company Theater)

Best Ensemble
Astro Boy and the God of Comics (Company One)
Knock! The Daniil Kharms Project (imaginary beasts)
Necessary Monsters (SpeakEasy Stage)
Rumplestiltskin, or All That Glitters (imaginary beasts)
Gallo (Guerilla Opera)

Best Director
Megan Sandberg Zakian for Sila (The Underground Railway Theater)
Natsu Onoda Power for Astro Boy and the God of Comics (Company One)
David R. Gammons for Comedy of Errors (Actors’ Shakespeare Project)

Best Production
Sila (The Underground Railway Theater)
Astro Boy and the God of Comics (Company One)
Smart People (Huntington Theatre Company)
The Flick (Company One)
Rumplestiltskin, or All That Glitters (imaginary beasts)
Gallo (Guerilla Opera)