Queers conquer 36th annual Dora Awards noms

Nearly every category packed with LGBT Toronto talent


The nominations for the 36th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards are out, with plenty of love pouring forth for queer artists.

Among the leaders were Buddies in Bad Times’ production of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom at the Farm (previously adapted for the screen by Quebec wunderkind Xavier Dolan). The story of a gay man’s encounter with his dead lover’s family received the nod for outstanding production, as well as nominations for director Eda Holmes and actors Jeff Irving, Rosemary Dunsmore and Jeff Lillico.

In the independent theatre division, Jordan Tannahill’s Concord Floral topped out the pack. His tale of youth escaping civilization in an abandoned greenhouse received nominations for outstanding production, new play and ensemble performance, as well as a nod for direction, going to Tannahill and his two co-directors, Erin Brubacker and Cara Spooner, as well as a nomination for sound designer Christopher Willes.

Modern Times and Aluna Theatre’s joint production of Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding at Buddies was also nominated. The show was also recognized for outstanding production, direction and ensemble performance, as well an acting nom for Aluna’s artistic director Beatriz Pizano.

In the opera division, superstar director Robert Lepage was nominated for his double-billed Bluebeard’s Castle and Erwartung with the Canadian Opera Company. The production is also recognized for outstanding production, set and lighting design. In the theatre for young audiences division, Vancouver playwright Dave Deveau’s cyber-bullying saga tagged was nominated for outstanding production, and local writer and actor Paul Dunn (part of the team behind last year’s hit The Gay Heritage Project) received a nomination for Outside, a different take on the same subject matter.

In the dance division, Peter Chin was nominated for outstanding choreography for Returning Empathis. William Yong was shut out of the choreography category, but the ensemble of his show vox:lumen was still nominated for outstanding performance. The dancers of DA Hoskins’ nudity-filled romp This is a Costume Drama received a nod in the same category, with a special mention for the hunky Brodie Stevenson in the male performance category.

The Dora Mavor Moore Awards
Monday, June 22, 2015
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto

tapa.ca

Chris Dupuis

Chris Dupuis is a writer and curator originally from Toronto.

Read More About:
Culture, Toronto, Arts, Theatre

Keep Reading

In “Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt,” Brontez Purnell balances on a knife edge between hilarity and despair

Purnell's new memoir turns heaviness into humour, and exposes the bleakness under what seems silly and light

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 16, Episode 12 power ranking: Designing women

Who among our top five will fall short of the finale?

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 16, Episode 12 recap: Bathroom babes

The infamous room design challenge returns, this time with … restrooms?

Bollywood flair quickens the tender heart of ‘The Queen of My Dreams’

Filmmaker Fawzia Mirza discusses her feature debut and how the intergenerational drama echoes much of her own life