Los Angeles Times
October 28, 1985
La Jolla Playhouse Drama Captures 7 Critics' Circle Awards
By TIMES STAFF WRITER
In a stunning sweep, the La Jolla Playhouse production of "A Man's a Man" walked away with exactly half of the honors bestowed at Sunday night's San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards presentation.
The ceremony, at Pancho Wellington's Restaurant here for the second year, recognized outstanding achievement in the theater.
"A Man's a Man," Bertolt Brecht's early anti-war play about man's darker, amoral side, took seven achievement awards, including honors for production, director and leading and supporting actors.
Director Robert Woodruff was cited for his comedic, sometime slapstick, staging that featured cartoon-like sets by Doug Stein, who garnered the critics' award for scenic design. In his portrayal of Galy Gay, the simple peasant who becomes a ferocious army killer, Bill Irwin won leading actor honors, and John Vickery was tapped for his supporting role as a tough army squad leader. In all, the Playhouse took a total of nine awards.
Robyn Hunt and Irene Tedrow split the leading actress award. Robyn Hunt, a local actress, was recognized for her title portrayal in "Hedda Gabler," (the San Diego Public Theatre) and Tedrow was cited for playing an elderly, widowed country woman in the Old Globe Theatre's production of "Foxfire."
Other than "A Man's a Man," the only play to win more than one award was the La Jolla Playhouse's "Ghost on Fire," which won the new play award for playwright Michael Weller. Holly Hunter also took the supporting actress award, for her portrayal of the play's drug-addled housewife.
In addition to "Foxfire," Old Globe shows took awards for Greg Sullivan's lighting design ("King Richard III") and the costume design of Lewis Brown ("Greater Tuna").
Other awards included: Dom Solinaro for best choreography ("Where's Charley?" at the Starlight), Victor Zupanc for sound design and Douglas Wieselman for best new score, both in "A Man's a Man."
The Suzuki Company of Toga was cited in the touring show category.
Two special awards were presented by the 12 critics who comprise the circle. The Associated Community Theaters of San Diego received a special award for "fostering the development of talented theatrical artists and the elevation of dramatic and artistic standards."
Ewart W. (Chip) Goodwin Jr., president of the board of directors of the La Jolla Playhouse from 1971 to 1984 was recognized with the members of his executive committee for his determination, leadership and "faith and vision" in bringing the dream of the playhouse, dormant for 19 years, to fruition.