CHELSEA, MI—EncoreMichigan announces the Wilde Awards for the 2023-24 season. The team of critics reviewed 102 productions. Flint Institute of Music-Flint Repertory Theatre led all theatres with 30 awards.The next highest award total went to The Encore Musical Theatre in Dexter with 23 awards. The Dio Dining & Entertainment Theatre took 17. The Barn Theatre won 16. Farmers Alley won 13.

The Michigan theatre community has a lot to be proud of.

The reviewers responsible for voting: David Kiley, Marin Heinritz (who writes for Revue, which covers the west side of the state), Julie Neff, Bridgette Redman, Paula Bradley and Kent Straith.

As previously announced, The Wilde Awards unfortunately will have to take a hiatus for the 2024-25 season while ownership transitions from David Kiley to John Sloan III. Kiley will retain control of the Wilde Awards for season 2025-26 and going forward. The hiatus is necessary because we realize we will miss reviewing too many shows this season during the transition to be fair.

Congratulations to everyone in the community whether your name is in this season’s awards, or not. You are all doing amazing work just by performing and perpetuating live theatre. You are all appreciated. You are all valued. You are all honored. And you are loved.

2023-2024 Wilde Awards

Best Play (Drama)

• Eight Nights, Detroit Public Theatre
• Top Dog/Underdog, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Bright Half-Life, Williamston Theatre
• Between Riverside and Crazy, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Dr. Moloch, Theatre NOVA
• Doubt, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Driving Miss Daisy, Tipping Point
• Detroit 67; Hope Repertory Theatre
• Skeleton Crew: Farmers Alley Theatre
• Predictor, Williamston Theatre
• Be Here Now, Williamston Theatre

Best Play (Comedy)

• Boeing Boeing, The Barn Theatre
• The Play That Goes Wrong, The Barn Theatre
• Diva Royale, The Purple Rose Theatre
• Run For Your Wife, The Wilde Theatre
• The 39 Steps, Open Book Theatre
• The 39 Steps, Thumbcoast Theatres

Best Musical

• Into The Woods, Encore Musical Theatre
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Encore Musical Theatre
• Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre
• Spring Awakening, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Beautiful: Carol King Musical, Saugatuck Arts Center
• Million Dollar Quartet, Saugatuck Arts Center
• Fiddler On The Roof, The Barn Theatre
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Farmers Alley Theatre
• Something Rotten, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Fiddler On The Roof, Thumbcoast Theatres
• A Year With Frog & Toad, Detroit Mercy Theatre

Best Opera

• Madame Butterfly, Detroit Opera Theatre

Best New Script

• David MacGregor, The Anti-Christ Cometh, Purple Rose Theatre
• Kendra Ann Flournoy, BambiLand, Face Off Theatre
• Karen Saari, Rain On Fire, Flint Repertory Theatre

Best Performance, One Person Play

Steve “Stebert” Davenport, Every Brilliant Thing, Open Book Theatre

Steve McDonagh, Every Brilliant Thing, Farmers Alley Theatre

Best Director (Play)

• Kez Settle: Grand Concourse; Open Book Theatre
• Brian Sullivan Taylor: Driving Miss Daisy; Tipping Point
• Joshua Morgan, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Mayra Mazor: Eight Nights, Detroit Public Theatre
• Kat Walsh: Every Brilliant Thing: Open Book Theatre
• Ken-Matt Martin: Into The Side of a Hill: Flint Repertory Theatre
• Megan Buckley-Ball; Bright Half-Life; Williamston Theatre
• Steve DeBruyne: Doubt; The Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Billicia Charnelle Hines: Predictor; Williamston Theatre
• Marissa Harrington: BambiLand; Face Off Theatre
• Bianca Washington Clungan: Detroit 67; Hope Repertory Theatre
• Dee Dee Batteast: Skeleton Crew: Farmers Alley Theatre
• Yolanda D. Jack, Top Dog/Underdog, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Ted Schneider, Rain On Fire, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Lynn Wilde Concannon, The Ladies Foursome, A Wilde Theatre
• Rhiannon Ragland, The Antichrist Cometh, The Purple Rose Theatre

Best Director (Musical)

• Steve DeBruyne: Something Rotten; Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Steve DeBruyne: Alice By Heart; Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Sarah Rusk, A Year With Frog and Toad, Detroit Mercy Theatre
• Vincent Cardinal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Encore Musical Theatre
• Matthew Brennan, Into The Woods, Encore Musical Theatre
• Dan Cooney, Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre
• Derek Van Barnham, Spring Awakening, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Trey Compton, Million Dollar Quartet, Saugatuck Arts Center
• Kathy Mulay, Working, Farmers Alley Theatre
• Eric Parker, Oklahoma, The Barn Theatre
• Kurt Stamm: Beautiful: Carol King Musical, Saugatuck Arts Center

Best Performance of The Bard

• A Comedy of Errors, Interlochen

Best Lead Actor (Musical)

• Luke Adamkiewicz: A Year With Frog and Toad; Detroit Mercy Theatre Co.
• Alexander Knightwright: A Year With Frog and Toad; Detroit Mercy Theatre Co.
• Richard Payton: Jingle Babs; The Ringwald
• Marcus Jordan: Into The Woods; The Encore Musical Theatre
• Jason Koch: Oklahoma; Encore Musical Theatre
• Zachary Keller: Spring Awakening; Flint Repertory Theatre
• Dan Fenaughty: Million Dollar Quartet; Saugatuck
• Jordan Hayes-Devloo: Something Rotten; Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Steve DeBruyne: Something Rotten; Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Robert Newman: Fiddler On The Roof; The Barn Theatre
• Owen Squire Smith: Oklahoma; The Barn Theatre
• Rick Carlson, Fiddler On The Roof, Thumbcoast Theatres

Best Lead Actor (Play)

• Brian Marable, Driving Miss Daisy, Tipping Point
• Brandon Michael, Into The Side of A Hill, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Antoine McKay, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Rico Bruce Wade, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• David Skillman, Between Riverside and Crazy, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Artun Kircali, Dr. Moloch, Theatre NOVA
• Bret Beaudry, Doubt, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Delanti Hall, BambiLand, Face Off Theatre
• Dan Johnson, Curious Case of The Watson Intelligence, The Inspired Acting Company
• Jeffrey Miller, The 39 Steps, Open Book Theatre
• Tony Amato, Tuesdays With Morrie, Thumbcoast Theatres
• Patrick Hunter, Boeing Boeing, The Barn Theatre

Best Lead Actress in Play

• Krista Schafer: Grand Concourse; Open Book Theatre
• Ruth Crawford: Driving Miss Daisy, Tipping Point
• Brittany Batell, Man Beast, The Penny Seats
• Rivka Borek, X, Eight Nights, Detroit Public Theatre
• Josie Mi, The Chinese Lady, Tipping Point
• Emily Townley, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Annabelle Young, Annabella in July, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Maggie Alger, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea, Open Book Theatre
• Amy Schumacher, Doubt, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Caitlin Cavannaugh, Predictor, Williamston Theatre
• Sierra White, Detroit ‘67, Hope Repertory Theatre
• Dwandra Nickole Lampkin, Skeleton Crew, Farmers Alley
• Angela Dill, Kayak, A Wilde Theatre
• Stefania Gonzales, Native Gardens, The Meadow Brook Theatre

Best Lead Actress (Musical)

• Jessica Grove: Into The Woods; Encore Musical Theatre
• Alexa Huss, Alice By Heart, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Aurora Pennepacker, Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre
• McKenlee Wilson, Spring Awakening, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Penelope Alex, Fiddler On The Roof, The Barn Theatre
• Sonja Marquis, Souvenir, Dio Dining & Entertainment

Best Supporting Actor (Musical)

• Ian Coursey: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; The Encore Musical Theatre
• David Moan: Oklahoma, The Encore Musical Theatre
• Richard Payton: Something Rotten; The Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Austin McCoy: Spring Awakening; Flint Repertory Theatre
• Kyle Southern: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical; Saugatuck Arts Center
• Griffin Krause: Something Rotten; The Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Jeff Meyer: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Farmers Alley Theatre
• Eric Parker: Oklahoma; The Barn Theatre
• Matthew Drinkwater: Bonnie & Clyde; Thumboast Theatres
• Michael P. Martin: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Farmers Alley Theatre

Best Supporting Actress (Musical)

• Jennifer Horne: Into The Woods; Encore Musical Theatre
• Sienna Berkseth: Into The Woods; Encore Musical Theatre
• Aurora Pennepacker: Oklahoma; Encore Musical Theatre
• McKenlee Wilson: Spring Awakening; Flint Repertory Theatre
• Denene Mulay Koch: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Farmers Alley Theatre
• Julia Glander: Oklahoma; Encore Musical Theatre
• Maddie Dick: Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre
• Bryanna Hall: Spring Awakening: Flint Repertory Theatre
• Payton Reilly: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical; Saugatuck Arts Center
• Elizabeth Jaffe: Something Rotten; The Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Brooke Evans: Oklahoma; The Barn Theatre
• Hope Shangle, The Antichrist Cometh, The Purple Rose Theatre

Best Supporting Actor (Play)

• Henry Ballesteros, Grand Concourse, Open Book Theatre
• James Abbott II, Grand Concourse, Open Book Theatre
• Bello Paolo Pizzimenti, Rain On Fire, Flint Repertory Theatre
• David Bendena, Driving Miss Daisy, Tipping Point Theatre
• Eric Gutman, Eight Nights, Detroit Public Theatre
• Antonio Michael Woodard, Into The Side of A Hill, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Will Bryson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Kevin O’Callaghan, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Matt Hollerbach, Between Riverside and Crazy, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Anthony J. Hamilton, Detroit ’67, Hope Repertory Theatre
• Charlie King, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Barn Theatre
• Xavier D. Bolden, Skeleton Crew, Farmers Alley Theatre
• Mark Gmazel, Escanaba in da Moonlight, A Wilde Theatre

Best Supporting Actress (Play)

• Stephanie Walters, The 39 Steps, Open Book Theatre
• Karen Sheridan, Rain on Fire, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Amanda Kuo, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Milan Levy, BambiLand, Face Off Theatre
• Katie Snowday, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Barn Theatre

Best Teamwork

• Sarah Burcon, Jennifer Taylor, Laura Mandernack, Jennie Ross, The Ladies Foursome, A Wilde Theatre
• Will Bryson and Will Street, Top Dog/Underdog, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Richard Payton, Jonathan Davidson, The 39 Steps, Open Book Theatre
• Matthew Drinkwater, Jacob Stoliker, John Drinkwater: The Wizard of Oz, The Boardwalk Theatre

Best Choreography

• Ken-Matt Martin, Into The Side of a Hill, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Derek Van Barham, Spring Awakening, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Matthew Lindstrom, Comedy of Errors, Interlochen
• Melissa Cotton Hunter, Fiddler on the Roof, The Barn Theatre
• Amy West, Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre

Best Lighting

• Mike Billings, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Rachael Nardecchia, Bright Half-Life, Williamston Theatre
• Chelsie McPhilimy, Spring Awakening, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Jennifer Kules, Beautiful: Carol King Musical, Saugatuck Arts Center
• Lanford J. Potts, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Farmers Alley Theatre
• Neil Koivu, Native Gardens, The Meadow Brook Theatre

Best Costumes

• Mary Elizabeth Valesano, A Year With Frog & Toad, Detroit Mercy Theatre
• Christopher Vergara, Eight Nights, Detroit Public Theatre
• Mona Jahani, Predictor, Williamston Theatre
• Amanda Lifvendahl, Comedy of Errors, Interlochen
• Marley Boone, Million Dollar Quartet, Saugatuck Arts Center
• King Ryan Singleton, Detroit ’67, Hope Repertory Theatre
• Alex Szczotka, Mystic Pizza, The Barn Theatre
• Kathy Vertin, The Christmas Schooner, Thumbcoast Theatres
• Krista Brown, Native Gardens, The Meadow Brook Theatre

Best Scenic Design

• Matthew Tomich: Something Rotten, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Harry Wetzel, Top Dog/Underdog, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Scott Penner, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Jennifer Maiseloff, Bright Half-Life, Williamston Theatre
• Tim Pollack, Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence, Inspired Acting Company
• Harry Wetzel, Annabella in July, Detroit Repertory Theatre
• Shane Cinal, Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre
• Ranae Selmeyer, Beautiful: Carol King Musical, Saugatuck Arts Center
• Thalia Lara, Predictor, Williamston Theatre
• Edward T. Morris, Comedy of Errors, Interlochen
• Steven Lee Burright, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Barn Theatre
• Abbey Kuhns, The Wizard of Oz, Thumbcoast Theatres
• Tom Vertin, Elf The Musical, Thumbcoast Theatres
• Christa Tausney, Native Gardens, The Meadow Brook Theatre
• Lindsay Webster, Detroit ’67, Hope Repertory Theatre
• Sarah Pearline, The Antichrist Cometh, The Purple Rose Theatre

Best Sound Design

• Sonja Marquis, Driving Miss Daisy, Tipping Point
• Chris Goosman, Into The Woods, Encore Musical Theatre
• Taylor J. Williams, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Suzi Regan, Bright Half-Life, Williamston Theatre
• Brian Cole, Predictor, Williamston Theatre
• Troy Benton, Fiddler On The Roof, The Barn Theatre

Best Music Direction

• Tyler Driskill: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Encore Musical Theatre
• Brian E. Buckner: Souvenir; Dio Dining & Entertainment
• Leah Fox: Spring Awakening; Flint Repertory Theatre
• Tom Vendafreddo: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical; Saugatuck
• Chris Blisset: Million Dollar Quartet: Saugatuck Arts Center
• Daniel Greig: Frog and Toad; Detroit Mercy Theatre Company
• Lisa Merte: Something Rotten, Dio Dining & Entertainment
• R. MacKenzie Lewis, Oklahoma, Encore Musical Theatre

Best Prop Design

• Samantha Silva, Grand Concourse, Open Book Theatre
• Anne Donevan, Into The Woods, Encore Musical Theatre
• Mia Irwin, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Flint Repertory Theatre
• Michelle Raymond, Predictor, Williamston Theatre
• Savannah Draper, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Farmers Alley Theatre
• Michelle Raymond, Maytag Virgins, Williamston Theatre

The Critics Award: Michael Lluberes, Flint Repertory Theatre: Michael Lluberes, in the all-too-brief time he served as Artistic Director of the Flint Repertory Theatre, took the theatre from one focused on youth theatre to a theatre that quickly became one of the top regional theatres in the country. His imagination, drive and commitment pushed the best actors in the state to want to be part of his productions.

The Publisher’s Award: John Sloan III: For his commitment to The Obsidian Theatre Festival and for taking over EncoreMichigan in 2025 and bringing new life and ideas to serving the Michigan theatre community.

The Council Cargle Award for Promoting and Celebrating Diversity: Plowshares Theatre Company for its continued commitment to bringing to life stories told through African-American experience.

The Jim Possante Award for LGBT Community Pride: The Ringwald Theatre for its continued commitment to LGBT storytelling.

If any winner wants a plaque for your recognition, please email us at encorepress@gmail. This year’s plaques will be 7”x9” plaques and will cost $30.00. Payments can be made to encoremediasales@gmail.com. via paypal. We apologize for the price hike, but we have to pass along price increases. For theatres who would like to have their season’s wins on one plaque for lobby display, we can accommodate that with a larger plaque at a cost of $37. We wish we could provide plaques at no cost to all the winners. It’s just not financially possible.

If any name, play or theatre is misspelled here in the announcement, please email us a correction at encorepress@gmail.com. We wish we could provide plaques at no cost to all the winners. It’s just not financially possible.