CARBONELL AWARDS Previews Ceremony at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on November 7

LAUDERHILL, Fla. - Oct. 27, 2022 - PRLog -- (South Florida – October 26, 2022) For its first in-person ceremony since April 2019, the Carbonell Awards—South Florida's Theater & Arts Honors—promises "a truly joyous celebration packed with music, laughter and applause as we recognize talented members of our theater community for shows produced in Broward, Miami/Dade and Palm Beach Counties during the 2021-2022 season," according to Carbonell Board President Gary Schweikhart.

At this year's event, 126 different nominations in 20 competitive categories are shared by 98 talented people, 36 extraordinary productions, and 16 South Florida theaters. Winners are determined by a diverse group of 30 experienced judges.

+ Three talented co-hosts: Miami-based theater, film and TV actor Daniel Llaca; actor, singer and director Geoff Short, board president of the Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Performing Arts and board secretary of the Carbonell Awards; and Carbonell board member Avery Sommers, award-winning Broadway, movie and TV veteran and cabaret headliner.

+ Presentation of two George Abbott Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts to internationally acclaimed composer and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, cofounder and Artistic Director Laureate of the Miami Beach-based New World Symphony; and Barbara & Lawrence E. Stein, the founders of Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Miami-Dade County's premiere producer of large-scale musicals, which will celebrate its 35^th season in 2022-23.

+ Presentation of the first Vinnette Carroll Award for significant achievement in advancing the cause of diversity, equality, and inclusion in South Florida theatre. The recipient is Marshall L. Davis, who has served for 38 years as managing director of the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) in Miami's Liberty City.

+ The nomination of Michelle Gordon for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Musical for Beauty and the Beast. This may be the first time in Carbonell history when the actor cast in the role (Yarden Barr), who missed opening weekend due to COVID, and her understudy (Gordon) are both nominated in the same category.

+ A stirring In Memoriam tribute to nearly 30 theatre veterans who passed away during the last two years, including actors Linda Bernhard and Peter Librach, critics Ron Levitt and Terry Teachout, music directors Arthur Barnes and Paul Reekie, and producers Alvin Entin and Jan McArt.

+ Presentation of Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships ($2,000 each) to Kaja Andric (Palm Beach County), Emily Taylor Kaufman (Broward), and Antony Ojeda (Miami-Dade).

Available for interview:

Gary Schweikhart, President

The Carbonell Board of Directors

561.756.4298 / gary@pr-bs.net

Media Contact:

Gino Campodónico

Adrienne Arsht Center

786.468.2228 / GCampodonico@arshtcenter.org