The 2016 Ovation Awards handed its top honors to Los Angeles LGBT Center’s “Hit the Wall” and “Ham: A Musical Memoir,” as well as to Celebration Theatre’s “The Boy From Oz” and “Bootycandy.”

Sam Harris, the actor and singer upon whose book “Ham” was based, took the honors for lead actor in a musical. That production was part of a lineup including “Fool for Love” that nabbed the LGBT Center the award for best season.

The ceremony, held Tuesday night by the nonprofit L.A. Stage Alliance, took place at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles with host Alexandra Billings. Awards covering small, midsize and large theaters were delivered to 19 Southern California companies in more than 30 categories. The winners were determined by local producers, directors, actors and other theater professionals chosen through an application process.

“Dry Land” at the Echo Theater Company won best production of a play for intimate theater, while “Guards of the Taj” at the Geffen Playhouse took the same award for large theater. The Theater @ Boston Court also had a strong evening with awards for playwriting (Luis Alfaro, “Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles”), featured actress in a play (Paula Christensen, “Colony Collapse”), lighting design for intimate theater (Elizabeth Harper, “The Golden Dragon”) and sound design for intimate theater (John Nobori, “The Golden Dragon”).


Winners are listed in bold among other nominees:

Best season

Celebration Theatre

Geffen Playhouse


Los Angeles LGBT Center

Best production of a play (intimate theater)

“Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

“Space,” Crooked Arrow Productions | Review


“My Mañana Comes,” Fountain Theatre | Review

“Hit the Wall,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review

“Honky,” Rogue Machine | Review

“Church & State,” Skylight Theatre Company | Review


“Dry Land,” The Echo Theater Company | Review

Best production of a play (large theater)

“Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

“The Complete History of America (Abridged),” Falcon Theatre


“Barcelona,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

“Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

“Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles,” the Getty Villa & the Theatre @ Boston Court | Review


Best production of a musical (intimate theater)

“The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

“We Are the Tigers: A New Musical,” Heart and Flame Productions

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Sierra Madre Playhouse


Best production of a musical (large theater)

“American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

“First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

“Ham: A Musical Memoir,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review


Best presented production

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” Center Theatre Group | Review

“1984,” The Broad Stage | Review

“Jane Austen Unscripted,” Broad Stage


Acting ensemble of a play

“Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

“Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” Center Theatre Group | Review

“Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

“The Complete History of America (Abridged),” Falcon Theatre


“My Mañana Comes,” Fountain Theatre | Review

“Hit the Wall,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review

“Fly,” Pasadena Playhouse | Review


Acting ensemble of a musical

“The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

“American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

“Dreamgirls,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

“Empire,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts | Review


“First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

“I Only Have Eyes for You: The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin,” Corky Hale | Review

“Recorded In Hollywood,” Theatre Planners


Choreography

Annie Yee, “The Golden Dragon,” the Theatre @ Boston Court

Janet Roston, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Tasheena Medina, “The Sparrow,” Coeurage Theatre Company

Dana Solimando, “American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts


John Farmanesh-Bocca, “Tempest Redux,” Odyssey Theatre Ensemble | Review

Music direction

Bryan Blaskie, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Patrick Sulken, “We Are the Tigers: A New Musical,” Heart and Flame Productions


David O, “American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Todd Schroeder, “Ham: A Musical Memoir,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review

Gerald Sternbach, “I Only Have Eyes for You: The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin,” Corky Hale | Review


Book for an original musical

Robert Hull and Caroline Sherman, “Empire,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts | Review

Mo Willems, “Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are in a Play!’ ” MainStreet Theatre Company

Michael Shaw Fisher, “Shakespeare’s Last Night Out,” Orgasmico Theatre Company


Lyrics/Composition for an original musical

Rebekah Allen, “We Are the Tigers: A New Musical,” Heart and Flame Productions

Deborah Wicks-La Puma and Mo Willems, “Elephant & Piggie’s ‘We Are In A Play!’ ” MainStreet Theatre Company

Michael Shaw Fisher, “Shakespeare’s Last Night Out,” Orgasmico Theatre Company


Playwriting for an original play

Nancy Keystone, “Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

Stefan Marks, “Space,” Crooked Arrow Productions | Review

Julie Marie Myatt, “John Is a Father,” the Road Theatre Company | Review

Jason Odell Williams, “Church & State,” Skylight Theatre Company | Review


Erik Patterson, “One of the Nice Ones,” Echo Theater Company | Review

Luis Alfaro, “Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles,” The Getty Villa & The Theatre @ Boston Court | Review

Jason Wells, “The Engine of Our Ruin,” Victory Theatre Center | Review


Direction of a musical

Michael A. Shepperd, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Oanh Nguyen, “A Chorus Line,” Chance Theater | Review

Brian Kite, “American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Nick DeGruccio, “First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts


Billy Porter and Ken Sawyer, “Ham: A Musical Memoir,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review

Direction of a play

Alan Mandell, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Joseph Calarco, “The Sparrow,” Coeurage Theatre Company


Jerry Kernion, “The Complete History of America (abridged),” Falcon Theatre

Trip Cullman, “Barcelona,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Giovanna Sardelli, “Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Ken Sawyer, “Hit the Wall,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review


Katharine Farmer, “See Rock City,” Rubicon Theatre Company | Review

Lead actor in a musical

Andrew Bongiorno, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Jon Jon Briones, “La Cage Aux Folles,” East West Players | Review


David LaMarr, “Dreamgirls,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Marc Ginsburg, “First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Sam Harris, “Ham: A Musical Memoir,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review


Lead actress in a musical

Rachel York, “Grey Gardens,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Moya Angela, “Dreamgirls,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Brittney Johnson, “Dreamgirls,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Erica Lustig, “First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts


Alison Luff, “Breaking Through,” Pasadena Playhouse | Review

Lead actor in a play

Barry McGovern, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Sterling K. Brown, “Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” Center Theatre Group | Review


Stefan Marks, “Space,” Crooked Arrow Productions | Review

Ramiz Monsef, “Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Sam Anderson, “John Is a Father,” The Road Theatre Company | Review

Erik Odom, “See Rock City,” Rubicon Theatre Company


Rob Nagle, “Church & State,” Skylight Theatre Company | Review

Lead actress in a play

Betty Gilpin, “Barcelona,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Lily Nicksay, “See Rock City,” Rubicon Theatre Company


Angelle Brooks, “A Raisin in the Sun,” Ruskin Group Theatre Co.

Starletta DuPois, “A Raisin in the Sun,” Ruskin Group Theatre Co

Kate Morgan Chadwick, “Bed,” Echo Theater Company | Review

Connor Kelly-Eiding, “Dry Land,” Echo Theater Company | Review


Danielle Truitt, “The Mountaintop,” Matrix Theatre Company | Review

Featured actor in a musical

Ryan Driscoll, “Children of Eden,” Cabrillo Music Theatre

Leigh Wakeford, “First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts


Justin Wilcox, “First Date,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Stanton Morales, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Sierra Madre Playhouse

Elijah Rock, “I Only Have Eyes for You: The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin,” Corky Hale | Review

Wilkie Ferguson III, “Recorded In Hollywood,” Theatre Planners


Matt Magnusson, “Recorded In Hollywood,” Theatre Planners

Featured actress in a musical

Natalia Vivino, “Children of Eden,” Cabrillo Music Theatre

Kelly Lester, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review


Bess Motta, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Jessica Pennington, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Betty Buckley, “Grey Gardens,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Michelle Spears, “Sondheim UnScripted,” Impro Theatre


Cristina Gerla, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Sierra Madre Playhouse

Featured actor in a play

Michael Shepperd, “Bootycandy,” Celebration Theatre | Review

James Greene, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review


Michael McKean, “Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” Center Theatre Group | Review

Larry Powell, “Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” Center Theatre Group | Review

Ray Ford, “Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

Robert Gossett, “Watching O.J.,” Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA


Matthew Hancock, “Hit the Wall,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review

Featured actress in a play

Paula Christensen, “Colony Collapse,” The Theatre @ Boston Court | Review

Charlotte Rae, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review


Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris, “Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” Center Theatre Group| Review

Patrena Murray, “Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” Center Theatre Group | Review

Robin Pearson Rose, “Outside Mullingar,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Sharon Sharth, “See Rock City,” Rubicon Theatre Company


Vivis Colombettik, “Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles,” the Getty Villa & the Theatre @ Boston Court | Review

Lighting design (intimate theater)

Karyn Lawrence, “Colony Collapse,” the Theatre @ Boston Court | Review

Elizabeth Harper, “The Golden Dragon,” the Theatre @ Boston Court


Matthew Denman, “Bootycandy,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Tim Swiss, “Dream Boy,” Celebration Theatre

Elizabeth Harper, “Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

Matt Richter, “Hit the Wall,” Los Angeles LGBT Center | Review


Katelan Braymer, “The Hairy Ape,” Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

Lighting design (large theater)

Jared Sayeg, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Japhy Weideman, “Barcelona,” Geffen Playhouse | Review


Lap Chi Chu, “Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Daniel Ionazzi, “Outside Mullingar,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Steven Young, “American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

Mike Billings, “See Rock City,” Rubicon Theatre Company | Review


KC Wilkerson, “Wicked Lit 2015,” Unbound Productions

Scenic design (intimate theater)

Sara Ryung Clement, “Seven Spots on the Sun,” the Theatre @ Boston Court | Review

Stephen Gifford, “Dream Boy,” Celebration Theatre


John Iacovelli, “Kingdom of Earth,” Dance on Productions in association with Linda Toliver & Gary Guidinger

John Iacovelli, “The Money Fi$h,” Cox Productions

Pete Hickok, “Rio Hondo,” Theatre of Note | Review

Michael Navarro, “My Mañana Comes,” Fountain Theatre | Review


John Vertrees & Erin Walley, “Deathtrap,” Sierra Madre Playhouse

Scenic design (large theater)

John Iacovelli, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Mark Wendland, “Barcelona,” Geffen Playhouse | Review


Derek McLane, “Big Sky,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Tom Buderwitz, “Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Tom Buderwitz, “Casa Valentina,” Pasadena Playhouse | Review

Mike Billings, “See Rock City,” Rubicon Theatre Company | Review


Jeff Cowie, “The City of Conversation,” Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | Review

Sound design (intimate theater)

John Nobori, “Colony Collapse,” the Theatre @ Boston Court | Review

John Nobori, “The Golden Dragon,” the Theatre @ Boston Court


Joseph Calarco, “The Sparrow,” Coeurage Theatre Company

Randy Tico, “Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

Christopher Moscatiello, “The Hairy Ape,” Odyssey Theatre Ensemble | Review

David Marling, “Birder,” The Road Theatre Company | Review


Matt Richter, “A Gulag Mouse,” Sacred Fools Theater Company

Sound design (Large theatre)

Cricket Myers, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Vincent Olivieri, “Barcelona,” Geffen Playhouse | Review


Vincent Olivieri, “Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Philip Allen, “Empire,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts | Review

Cricket Myers, “I Only Have Eyes for You: The Life and Lyrics of Al Dubin,” Corky Hale | Review

Bruno Louchouarn, “Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles,” The Getty Villa & The Theatre @ Boston Court | Review


Drew Dalzell and Noelle Hoffman, “Wicked Lit 2015,” Unbound Productions

Costume design (intimate theater)

Kerry Hennessy, “Wood Boy Dog Fish,” Bootleg Theater

Allison Dillard, “Bootycandy,” Celebration Theatre | Review


Michael Mullen, “The Boy From Oz,” Celebration Theatre | Review

Lena Sands, “Ameryka,” Critical Mass Performance Group

Halei Parker, “The Hairy Ape,” Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

Candice Cain, “The Glass Menagerie,” Sierra Madre Playhouse


A. Jeffrey Schoenberg, “Cloud 9,” The Antaeus Company

Costume design (large theater)

Maggie Morgan, “Endgame,” Center Theatre Group | Review

Ann Closs-Farley, “Women Laughing Alone With Salad,” Center Theatre Group | Review


Denitsa Bliznakova, “Guards at the Taj,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Jessica Ford, “These Paper Bullets! A Modish Ripoff of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing,” Geffen Playhouse | Review

Kate Bergh, “Casa Valentina,” Pasadena Playhouse | Review

Christine Cover Ferro, “Wicked Lit 2015,” Unbound Productions


Vicki Conrad, “The Imaginary Invalid,” Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum

Video/Projection design

Matthew Hill, “Man Covets Bird,” 24th Street Theatre

Dallas Nicholas, “Wood Boy Dog Fish,” Bootleg Theater


Stephen Epstein and Ron Wood, “Space,” Crooked Arrow Productions | Review

Jonathan Infante, “American Idiot,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

David Gallo and Brad Peterson, “Empire,” La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts | Review

Adam Flemming, “Wicked Lit 2015,” Unbound Productions


Hana Kim, “The City of Conversation,” Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | Review

jessica.gelt@latimes.com

@jessicagelt

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