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LAURENCE FISHBURN AND VALARIE PETTIFORD AMONG WINNERS OF LEAD CATEGORIES AT THE 17^TH ANNUAL NAACP THEATRE AWARDS

( Los Angeles )  February, 19, 2007 – Tonight, at the 17^th Annual Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Awards, actor Laurence Fishburn took Best Lead Actor for his performance in “Without Walls” and Valarie Pettiford took Best Lead Actress for her performance in “Wild Party.”

Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy) and Steve Harris (The Practice) hosted the spectacular evening paying tribute to excellence in black theatre.  The theme, “The Imitation of Life,” represents an accurate description of what the theater arts offer us – a staged reflection of life.  For African Americans in theater that portrayal has gone through its own evolution. Early theater had its share of caricatures, stereotypes, and unrealistic fantasies, which did not honestly reflect our lives or the people we know. Over time, the black experience in theater has matured to offer many honest portrayals. The NAACP Theater Committee has had the pleasure of viewing many plays that have recreated with great realism the comedies, tragedies, disappointments, fears, and joys of the black experience. In short, this year we celebrate Art that is truly an Imitation of our Lives.

There were several memorable performances including original “Dreamgirl” Sheryl Lee Ralph exciting guests with the opening performance of “One Night Only.”  Mid-way through the show, Vanessa Williams, Stu James and William Stanford Davis performed a vignette from Jelly’s Last Jam in tribute to George C. Wolf who was there to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.  And last but certainly not least two outstanding vocal performances by 3 Mo Tenors and the closing act Ms. Pam Trotter belting out the familiar “Dreamgirls” tune “And I am Telling You.”

Ben Stiller presented George C. Wolfe with the Lifetime Achievement Award,  Nia Long had the honor of presenting Usher Raymond with the Spirit Award, Earvin “Magic” Johnson presented Keith E. Hopps and Elizabeth Valtierra of Abbott Laboratories with the Community Service Award and Brian McKnight presented the Trailblazer Award to Gary Guidry and Je’Caryous Johnson of I’m Ready Productions and finally, Alice Huffman and Ron Hasson, President of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP branch of the NAACP presented Cynthia Marshall of AT&T with the President’s Award.

The impressive array of talent in attendance provided a little bit of something for everyone; Tony Plana, Sharon Leal, Eva Saint Marie, Henry Simmons, Camille Winbush, Brian White, Art Evans, Andre Royo and Tia Mowry  just to name a few.

The NAACP Theatre Awards, a coveted honor, are given for excellence in theatre featuring African American themes and performers.

The 17^th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards were sponsored by:  AT&T, Tanqueray, Crown Royal, Allstate, Toyota , Honda, Nestle, TV One and Radio One.

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS:

Best Choreography – Equity

Demeter In The City – Jennifer Li

Best Choreography – Local

Everyman For Himself - Ameenah Kaplan & Hasson Christopher

Best Costumes – Equity

Intimate Apparel – Jennifer Brawn Gittings

Best Costumes – Local

The Wild Party – Dana Peterson

Best Director – Equity

Da Kink In My Hair – Marion J. Caffey

Best Director – L ocal

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – Ben Bradley

Best Director of a Musical – Equity

N/A

Best Director of a Musical – Local

The Wild Party – Daniel Henning

Best Ensemble Cast – Equity

Da Kink In My Hair

Best Ensemble Cast – Local

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Lead Female - Equity

I Have Before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young Lady From Rwanda – Erica Tazel

Best Lead Female  – Local

The Wild Party – Valarie Pettiford

Best Lead Male – Equity

Without Walls – Laurence Fishburne

Best Lead Male – Local

Strange Fruit On Rye – Rodney Chaise Williams

Best Lighting – Equity

Intimate Apparel – Jennifer Setlow

Best Lighting - Local

Bluebonnet Court – Kathi O’Donohue

Best Music Director – Equity

Demeter In The City – Shishir Kurup & David Markowitz

Best Music Director – Local

Lizard – Robbie Gillman

Best Playwright – Equity

Da Kink In My Hair – Trey Anthony

Best Playwright – Local

The Dance: The History Of American Minstrelsy – Jason C. White

Best Producer  – Equity

Intimate Apparel – Tom Parrish, San Diego Repertory Theatre

Best Producer – Local

The Wild Party – Stacy Reed, Eddie Mills, Noah Wyle & The Blank Theatre

Best Set Design – Equity

Intimate Apparel – Fred Kinney

Best Set Design – Local

Bluebonnet Court – Joel Daavid

Best Sound – Equity

Da Kink In My Hair – M. Scott Grabau

Best Sound – Local

Hercules On Normandie – Zig Gron

Best Supporting Female – Equity

Intimate Apparel – Sylvia M’Lafi Thompson

Best Supporting Female – Local

The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin – Fredericka Meek

Best Supporting Male – Equity

Intimate Apparel – Michael Shepperd

Best Supporting Male – Local

Fences – Dig Wayne