ELLY Nomination Snapshots | Big Idea Theatre

Big Idea Theatre is thrilled by the overwhelming number of Elly Nominations awarded in the 2010 - 2011 season!  We couldn't be more appreciative of the artistic talent contributed by our fantastic company members and other collaborating Sacramento area theatre professionals.

The nominations for the 2010 season kick off with Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel, a poignant memory play that tells the tale of the five unmarried Mundy sisters and the summer of 1936 that changes their lives forever.  Dancing at Lughnasa takes home four nominations: Best Overall Drama, Best Direction (Shannon Mahoney), Best Set Design (Brian Harrower) and Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chisum).

Photos by Lixxim Photography

The Underpants by Steve Martin focused on a sexually frustrated hausfrau and her bevy of besotted suitors and earned seven nominations: Best Overall Comedy, Best Set Design (Brian Watson), Best Leading Actress (Joelle Wirth), Best Supporting Actress (Kelly Yvonne Raines), Best Supporting Actor (Jouni Kirjola), Best Supporting Actor (Joshua Glenn Robertson) and Best Supporting Actor (Justin Munoz).

Photos by Lucas Blair Photography

Big Idea's 2011 season made quite a splash with Compleat Female Stage Beauty by Jeffrey Hatcher, a timeless, humorous, and heartbreaking examination of the effects of gender.  Compleat celebrates seven nominations: Best Overall Drama, Best Direction (Brian Harrower), Best Costume Design (Katrina Wolinski), Best Leading Actor (Benjamin T. Ismail), Best Leading Actress (Kristine David), Best Supporting Actress (Carrie Joyner) and Best Supporting Actress (Josephine Longo).

Photos by Lixxim Photography

David Auburn's Tony Award-winning Proof explored the fine line between genius and madness.  Big Idea's passionate, intimate and powerful drama about family and frailty snagged a nomination for Best Leading Actress (Jessica Berkey).

Photos by Lixxim Photography

William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure played with the duality of mankind and showcased the talents of seven actors cast as both hero and villain, comedian and tragedian.  This "Vienna Gone Wild" tale netted a nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Gina Williams).

Photos by Isaac Trumbo and Kirk Blackinton

Big Idea patrons travelled through the looking glass to Wonderland for the 2011 Little BIT players production of Alice in Wonderland, adapted by Warren Harrison.  Alice enjoys two nominations: Best Lead Young People's Play Actress (Andrea Kersten) and Best Supporting Young People's Play Actor (Gregory Smith).

Photos by Wade Lucas

The 2010 - 2011 Elly nominations are rounded out by David Rabe's intense linguistic roller coaster through Hollywood, Hurlyburly.  This edgy piece earned four nominations: Best Direction (Katie Chapman), Best Supporting Actor (Rick Eldredge), Best Supporting Actor (Dan Featherston) and Best Supporting Actress (Alexandra Ralph Evans).

Photos by Isaac Trumbo and Katie Chapman

Congratulations go out to the 56 other Sacramento Area theatres on their well-deserved nominations!  Click here for a complete list of nominees on SARTA's website.

Press Pass | Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure earns 4 stars for its exploration of the extremities of love and lust in one of Shakespeare's most original works!

Trailer | Measure for Measure

One of Shakespeare's most original works is an exploration of the extremities of love and lust. Set in a "Vienna Gone Wild", Duke Vincentio hatches a wild plot to restore order to his city, but not all the players in the game are as they seem. Specifically double cast with 7 players, so that every actor portrays both hero and villain, comedian and tragedian, Measure for Measure is not to be missed.

Measure for Measure

By William Shakespeare

April 7 - April 30, 2011

A Cast of Characters | Measure for Measure

Big Idea is excited to announce the cast for its upcoming production of Measure for Measure, opening April 7th.


One of Shakespeare's most original works in an exploration of the extremities of love and lust.  Set in a "Vienna Gone Wild," Duke Vincentio hatches a wild plot to restore order to his city, but not all the players in the game are as they seem.  Specifically double cast with 7 players so that every actor portrays both hero and villain, comedian and tragedian, Measure for Measure is not to be missed!

Live Dangerously

Big Idea dares you to "Live Dangerously" this year with a bold 2011 Season.  

Compleat Female Stage Beauty

by Jeffrey Hatcher

Jan 13 - Feb 5

England, 1661.  During the Golden Age of theatre, men rule the stage.  

One woman sparks a revolution that will forever change how the world 

sees womenand how one man sees himself.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

Proof 

by David Auburn

Feb 24 - Mar 19

Catherine has devoted years to caring for her brilliant but unstable father, 

a mathematician.  Walk the razor-thin line between genius and 

madness in David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama 

about family and frailty.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

Measure for Measure

by William Shakespeare

Apr 7 - Apr 30

One of Shakespeare's most complex, beautiful, and rewarding plays, 

Measure for Measure lives at the intersection of morality, religion, and politics. 

Dark often funny, always perceptive.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

Hurlyburly 

by David Rabe

May 19 - June 11

Fueled by massive amounts of drugs, several libido-driven 

Hollywood wannabes stumble through the 1980's 

in a frenetic search for meaning.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

King of Shadows 

by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

June 30 - July 23

In this urban thriller, a teenage runaway reveals that this a 

mythical world beneath our own rules by a terrifying, 

demon-like creature called the King of Shadows.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

Wonder of the World

by David Lindsay-Abaire

Aug 11 - Sep 3

After making a shocking discovery, a modern day Alice through 

the looking glass goes on a madcap adventure to Niagara Falls.  

Join a wild, laugh-filled journey with this zany cast of characters.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

The Pillowman

by Martin McDonagh

Sep 22 - Oct 15

The Pillowman is an unflinching examination of the very nature 

and purpose of art.  Police interrogate a writer about the 

gruesome content of his short stories 

and their similarities to a series of child murders.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare

Nov 3 - Dec 3

Set against the background of Mardi Gras in post Katrina New Orleans, 

Twelfth Night is a riotous fun-filled romp overflowing with drag queens, 

shipwrecked pirates and lovesick counts.  Let the good times roll!