Congratulations to the following recipients of the 8th Annual OVATION Awards, celebrating the musicals of 2011, which were announced Sunday night January 29, 2012 at the Vancouver Academy of Music.

Newcomers of the year

Cameron Dunster (Cinderella, bare: a pop opera), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To the Forum)  and Ranae Miller (Cinderella, Adding Machine, Sound of Music and Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum)

Long Time Achievement awards rewarded to individuals who have many years of dedicated participation and leadership in the musical theatre community of the lower mainland. Acknowledged tonight were Roger & Nancy Nelson for their combined – over 50 years - service with North Shore Light Opera Society as well as Earl Hobson long time music director for a range of musical theatre companies over the years including Dunbar Musical Theatre, TUTS, and Greater Vancouver Operetta Society.

Outstanding Professional Production

Light In The Piazza, Patrick Street Productions

Outstanding Community Production – Large Theatre

Anything Goes, Theatre Under The Stars

Outstanding Community Production – Small Theatre - TIE

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To the Forum, Fighting Chance Productions

HMS Pinafore, Dragon Diva Productions

Outstanding Ensemble Production

Trouble In Tahiti, Vancouver Concert Opera Co-Operative

Outstanding New Work

Homecoming King, Book & Lyrics: Dave Deveau, Composer: James Coomber. Presented by Thirty Below Theatre.

Outstanding Director

Peter Jorgensen – The Light In The Piazza, Patrick Street Productions

Outstanding Music Director

Sean Bayntun & Kerry O'Donovan - The Light In The Piazza, Patrick Street Productions

Outstanding Choreography

Dawn Ewen – 42nd Street, Metro Theatre

Outstanding Set Design

Drew Facy – The Story of My Life, Best Friends Theatre Co-Op

Outstanding Costume Design

Chris Sinosich – Will Rogers Follies, Royal City Musical Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design

Alan Brodie – The Light In The Piazza, Patrick Street Productions

Outstanding Lead Performance – Female - TIE

Irene Karas – Anything Goes, Theatre Under The Stars

Katey Wright – The Light In The Piazza, Patrick Street Productions

Outstanding Lead Performance – Male- TIE

Greg Armstrong-Morris – La Cage Aux Folles, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company

Andy Toth – Hairspray, Arts Club Theatre Company

Outstanding Supporting Performance – Female

Jacqueline Breakwell – Anything Goes, Theatre Under The Stars

Outstanding Supporting Performance – Male

Andrew Cownden – Anything Goes, Theatre Under The Stars

Outstanding Gypsy – Female

Linzi Voth – Anything Goes (TUTS), Will Rogers Follies (RCMT)

Outstanding Gypsy – Male - TIE

Sayer Roberts – Cinderella (Exit 22), Sound of Music (Gateway)

Dimitrios Stephanoy – Bye Bye Birdie (TUTS), Will Rogers Follies (RCMT)

Thank you to the volunteers, presenters, numerous performers as well as

accompanist Caitlin Hayes, and co-hosts Dawn Ewen & Steve Dotto