Telling tales drawn from literature, actual life and extra, listed here are the 2024 Orlando Sentinel honorees for finest director of a musical as chosen by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.

Though it’s inconceivable for one individual to see each native manufacturing, because the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, annually I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The people chosen for this 2024 theatrical honor roll, introduced right here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/leisure to see the honorees in different classes, and examine again on Dec. 17 to be taught the Critic’s Choose on this class.

Roy Alan

‘George M. Cohan Tonight!’ Winter Park Playhouse

In June, director Roy Alan expertly put actor Adam Biner by way of his paces to remarkably hold constant power and visible curiosity in a present that has just one actor and one set. And he did it with out exhausting Biner — not less than so far as the viewers might inform. That is Alan’s ninth look on this listing; he was named critic’s decide on this class in 2019 for his route of “Determined Measures.”

Derek Critzer

‘Natasha, Pierre & The Nice Comet of 1812’ Theater West Finish

Derek Critzer expertly matched the strengths of “Natasha, Pierre & The Nice Comet of 1812” with the property of Theater West Finish to create an exciting Russian roller-coaster experience that soared because it reached for the celebrities. Critzer successfully used each trapping, even constructing a ramp out into the viewers, to intensify the theatricality of this deliciously theatrical present. That is Critzer’s eighth look on these year-end honor rolls.

Ayòfémi Demps

‘Girl Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill’ Theater West Finish

In September, Ayòfémi Demps had main woman Desiree Montes superbly show and articulate the juxtaposition between Billie Vacation’s trappings of wealth with the tough realities of her life in a stellar manufacturing of “Girl Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” Demps additionally used Montes’ physicality to nice impact in her staging: Contrasting Vacation’s bodily frailty towards her musical vitality. And Demps fastidiously stored the deal with Montes with out sidelining the three musicians who shared the stage. Demps can also be honored this yr within the director of a drama class.

Roberta Emerson

‘Ain’t Misbehavin” Orlando Shakes

In Orlando Shakes’ April manufacturing of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” director Roberta Emerson let her solid be simply the correct amount of saucy and cheeky, joyously winking on the viewers as they misbehaved. After which amid the enjoyable and frivolity, Emerson landed a robust punch by which she reminded the viewers of how a lot of that fabulous Harlem Renaissance creativity got here with or from loads of ache. And, magnificently, she made this highly effective level with out derailing the night’s overriding sense of celebration. Emerson can also be honored this yr within the director of a drama class.

Russell Fox

’forty second Avenue’ Osceola Arts

Russell Fox stored quite a lot of balls within the air as director of Osceola Arts’ thrillingly old school March manufacturing of “forty second Avenue.” He deftly balanced the massive manufacturing numbers with the extra intimate storytelling scenes. He fastidiously and cleverly used his ensemble members to boost the temper and the storyline, and with a light-weight and understanding contact made moments out of contact with present instances work.

Steve MacKinnon and Ke’Lee Pernell

‘The Sound of Music’ Theatre at St. Luke’s

Steve MacKinnon and Ke’Lee Pernell stored quite a lot of shifting components — kids, nuns, Nazis — on monitor within the Theatre at St. Luke’s August manufacturing of “The Sound of Music.” And but with all the large manufacturing numbers, they stored the ethical middle of the present — standing up for what is correct — all the time in focus. They discovered superbly human moments to make that time hit house, and a brilliantly dramatic transformation of the auditorium right into a Nazi occasion drove house the message on the flip aspect. MacKinnon has appeared on these theater honor rolls eight instances, and was awarded particular recognition this yr for his function because the “Sound of Music” vocal director. That is Pernell’s third time honored.

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