Grand Canyon University’s theatre department took home the award for Best Overall Production for "Murder on the Orient Express" during the recent 32nd annual ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
It wasn't the only big win of the evening for GCU, which received 18 nominations in various categories. Theatre professor and director Michael Kary won Best Director, and sound engineer for Worship Arts Eric Johnson received the award for Best Sound.
“I am so proud of all of our students and staff there who were nominated,” said Assistant Dean of Theatre and Dance William Symington. “I believe it is a reflection of the quality of the work, the education and environment we have here at GCU and in CAM.”
“Murder on the Orient Express” beat out 60 other plays.
It's rare that the theatre department produces thrillers, Kary said just before the production opened GCU theatre's 2023-2024 season.
“These are great stories where people are trapped in one single environment and can’t get out until we solve this thing. It’s a good formula,” he said, “and it really does put a human in a boiler. … I think that’s what most of the books are about: what pushes people to do these unspeakable things.”
Cooper Townley, nominated for Best Actor in a Major Role for his portrayal of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, said in 2023 of the production, “Its beautiful – our set design, our lighting design, our sound design – are all incredible. It almost looks like a film onstage.”
Also nominated were:
- Best Overall Production (Musical): "Mary Poppins"
- Best Actor in a Major Role (Play): Cooper Townley, "Murder on the Orient Express"
- Best Actor in a Major Role (Musical): Jacob Currie, "Mary Poppins"
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Musical): Grace Cox, "Tuck Everlasting"
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Play): David Loewen, "Murder on the Orient Express"
- Best Director (musical): Cindi Calhoun, "Mary Poppins"
- Best Director (musical): Claude Pensis, "Tuck Everlasting"
- Best Music Direction: Mark Fearey, "Mary Poppins"
- Best Choreography: Ryan Ardelt, "Mary Poppins"
- Best Scenic Design: William Symington, "Murder on the Orient Express"
- Best Hair and Makeup Design: Amanda Mendoza, Rebecca Bain, "Mary Poppins"
- Best Lighting Design: Claude Pensis, "Murder on the Orient Express"
- Best Property Design: Colin Patrick, "Murder on the Orient Express"
- Best Property Design: Ivy Angle, "Tuck Everlasting"
- Best Media Design: Eugene Pak, "Mary Poppins"
“To have our students get recognition in this much wider arena is wonderful, and it reflects our desire to have them perform on a professional level,” said Kary. “This is one of the only places for them to be lifted up, and we are so proud of all the work they do.”
The ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence is a statewide nonprofit organization created to promote the visibility and support the growth of theatre in the Valley of the Sun and Maricopa County. Each season, nearly 100 adjudicators attend and review approximately 250 productions by member theatres.
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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GCU News: Theatre students explore meaning of time, life in 'Tuck Everlasting'
