Playing roles from an evil king to a steadfast stage manager, here are the 2023 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best featured actor in a comedy, as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad spectrum of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected by me for this 2023 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated the theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other fields, and check back on Dec. 21 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
‘Chicken & Biscuits’ ♦ Theatre UCF
In “Chicken & Biscuits,” Dominique Marshall had the showiest role as flask-sipping, cigarette-sneaking Beverly, and she more than rose to the occasion, with a devilish glint in her eye. But under Beverly’s bold exterior, Marshall showed us the character’s heart, too.
‘Jesus: Origins’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical
In “Jesus: Origins,” Alexander Mrazek made a comically worthy villain to the titular hero. With maximum comic, Mrazek could go from imperious to petulant brat in a nanosecond as an evil king. Mrazek also was honored this year for his comic lead role in New Generation Theatrical’s “Gothic Tavern.”
‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical
As Vanessa, the cynical friend in the group at the center of “Significant Other,” Lauren Muller amusingly kept a wary eye on the comic shenanigans around her, and then let us feel the warmth new love brought to her. Even her recorded answering-machine message earned deserved laughs.
‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical
Esther Olivo had to make the audience like her character of Kiki, despite Kiki’s rather pushy and self-absorbed nature. Olivo beautifully succeeded in scoring laughs but also showed us Kiki’s heart, making her someone worth rooting for.
‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical
Beth Ann Stripling added to the comedy of “Significant Other” with gusto, but also showed a particularly touching vulnerability as a woman who by pursuing her own happiness hurts another. And her ability to switch gears from the comic to the tragic greatly enhanced the play’s climactic moments.
‘The Spider Queen’ ♦ Orlando Artist Guild
With her deadpan looks and no-nonsense attitude, Kelly Wolfe made the most out of every line and movement to make her stage-manager character a winner. Steadfast in the face of chaos, Wolfe showed you don’t have to be over-the-top to be funny.
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