The season in Edmonton theatre: the 2025-2026 Sterling nominations, led by Cyrano de Bergerac

An exuberant, verse- and action- filled new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, proved the jurors’ top choice as nominations for the 37th annual Sterling Awards were announced this week. Named for theatre pioneer Elizabeth Sterling Haynes, the Sterlings celebrate excellence on Edmonton stages this past season.

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Jessy Ardern’s new play, which premiered at the Citadel (in a three-way co-production with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Grand in London, Ont.) gathered 11 nominations in 26 Sterling categories, including outstanding production and best new play, and direction from Amanda Goldberg. Scott Shpeley’s star performance as the nose-forward hero whose verbal wit is as sharp as his sword, is nominated, as well as Goldberg’s ensemble cast. Beyata Hackborn’s atmospheric set of deconstructed arches, ropes, chandeliers; Hugh Conacher’s lighting; Deanna Finnman’s lavish period costumes; and Maddie Bautista’s harpsichord-meets-hip-hop sound score have Sterling nods too. And the production’s movement director Anna Kuman and fight director Daniel Levinson are two of the six nominees in that category.

Michael Watt and Dayna Lea Hoffmann in Countries Shaped Like Stars, Edmonton Fringe Theatre. Photo by Marc J Chalifoux.

Four of the five contenders for the outstanding production of a play Sterling are Citadel shows: Cyrano, Casey and Diana (with Alberta Theatre Projects), Death of a Salesman (with the Arts Club Theatre), and Life of Pi (with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). The fifth is Murray Utas’s Fringe Theatre revival of the whimsical musical fairy tale Countries Shaped like Stars, which garnered as well Sterling nominations for the director and the two-actor ensemble (Michael Watt and Dayna Lea Hoffmann).

Nominations for outstanding director are for their work on those same five productions: Goldberg for Cyrano, Lana Michelle Hughes for Casey and Diana, Haysam Kadri for Life of Pi, Daryl Cloran for Death of a Salesman, and Murray Utas for Countries Shaped Like Stars.

In the outstanding musical category. Three of the five nominees are large-scale Citadel productions: Legally Blonde (with Theatre Calgary), Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (a new musical inspired by the story and character archive of the late great storyteller Stuart McLean), and The Wizard of Oz. The fourth is Edmonton Opera’s chamber version of Wagner’s Die Walküre, the second of the mighty Ring Cycle, set forth with theatrical ingenuity on the Citadel’s Maclab stage. And the fifth is the indie Uniform Theatre production of Cry-Baby, a rom-com rock ’n’ roll musical adapted from the 1990 John Waters film.

Tough Guy by Hayley Moorhouse, Persistent Myth Productions at Edmonton Fringe Theatre. Photo by Mat Simpson.

Besides Cyrano the top Sterling draws, with seven nominations each, are a study in contrast. Tough Guy, a new Hayley Moorhouse play premiered by the indie Persistent Myth in the Fringe Theatre season, is an exploration of trauma in a group of queer friends in the aftermath of a shooting in a queer nightclub. Its nominations include  best new play, director Brett Dahl’s choreography, Autumn Strom’s leading performance, the ensemble cast, Lieke den Bakker’s lighting,  and Ian Jackson’s multi-media design.

Luc Tellier, Alexander Ariate, Chariz Faulmino, Hal Wesley Rogers in The Wizard of Oz, Citadel Theatre. Photo by Nanc Price

The seven nominations for the Citadel production of The Wizard of Oz include nods for Chariz Faulmino’s Dorothy, as well as Brandon Kleiman’s set, Patrick Reagan’s lighting, Julio Fuentes’ choreography, Steven Greenfield’s musical direction, and Laura Warren’s multi-media visuals.

Kevin Klassen, Braydon Dowler-Coltman, Troy Feldman, Davinder Malhi in Life of Pi, Citadel Theatre/ Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Lighting by April Viczko, projections by Corwin Ferguson, set by Beyata Hackborn. Photo by Nanc Price

The Citadel’s season-opening Life of Pi and premiere of Vinyl Cafe: The Musical, as well as Uniform Theatre’s Cry-Baby, each have six nominations. Life of Pi, which takes up the extreme theatrical challenges of adapting the Booker Prize-winning Yann Martel novel of 2001 — with a cast of both human and puppet actors to tell the story of a boy stranded at sea with a ferocious Bengal tiger — has nominations for outstanding production, director Kadri, April Viczko’s dramatic sea-storm lighting, Joseph Abetria’s costumes, puppet choreography by Dayna Tietzen, and Corwin Ferguson’s multi-media design.

Emily Howard, Nathan Cuckow, Norma Lewis in Casey and Diana by Nick Green. Photo by Banjamin Laird for Alberta Theatre Projects

The Citadel production of Casey and Diana, by the former-Edmonton Nick Green and directed by Shadow Theatre’s new artistic director Lana Michelle Hughes has five nominations — for outstanding production, Hughes’ direction, two of its supporting performances from April Banigan and Helen Knight, the cast ensemble that told the story of Princess Di’s epoch-altering visit to the Toronto AIDS hospice Casey House in 1991.

The five nominations for the Citadel revival of Death of a Salesman, a play that was part of the theatre’s first-ever season 60 years ago, include Daryl Cloran’s direction of an unusually stylized modernist production, Nadien Chu’s leading performance as Willy Loman’s steadfast but long-suffering wife Linda, Alexander Ariate’s capture of one of the Loman sons (eager-to-please Happy), and the fragmented jazz score by Joelysa Pankanea, played live by actors who return to the action.

Louise Casemore in Lucky Charm, Found Festival 2025. Photo by Brianne Jang

As usual the best new play and outstanding independent production categories are particularly competitive. Among the former contenders, Jessy Ardern’s Cyrano de Bergerac is up against Louise Casemore’s Lucky  Charm, Greg MacArthur’s Testimonial, Nicole Moeller’s Wildcat, and Hayley Moorhouse’s Tough Guy — which premiered at theatres ranging in size and budget from the Citadel and Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre to the indies Defiance Theatre (Lucky Charm) and Persistent Myth Productions (Tough Guy).

Indie productions provided some of the most challenging, ingenious, and off-centre theatre experiences for audiences this season. Lucky Charm, a séance conducted by he widow of the late great escapologist Harry Houdini, is one, along with Tough Guy. Trunk Theatre’s Marjorie Prime, a powerful exploration of AI companionship as an antidote to mortality, Hereforfear Collective’s Hyena’s Trail, and Banana Musik are fellow nominees.

On Sterling gala night (July 20 at the Fringe’s Westbury Theatre), Shadow Theatre’s John Hudson, retiring from the artistic directorship there (and a major player in the Varscona Theatre rebuild) gets top Sterling honours for his lifetime contribution to Edmonton Theatre. Fringe Theatre executive director Megan Dart will receive the Margaret Mooney Award for excellence in administration. Geoff Bacchus is the recipient of the Ross Hill Award for outstanding achievement in production.

Tickets for the Sterling gala: fringetheatre.ca.

The 2025–2026 Sterling Award nominations

Outstanding Production of a Play: Casey and Diana (Citadel Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects); Countries Shaped Like Stars (Fringe Theatre); Cyrano De Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre; Death of a Salesman (Citadel Theatre & Arts Club Theatre Company); Life of Pi (Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre).

The Timothy Ryan Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical: Cry-Baby (Uniform Theatre); Die Walküre (Edmonton Opera); Legally Blonde (Citadel Theatre and Theatre Calgary); Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (Citadel Theatre); The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre).

Outstanding Independent Production of a Play: Banana Musik (Common Ground Arts); Hyena’s Trail (Hereforfear Collective); Lucky Charm (Defiance Theatre, presented by Common Ground Arts and Theatre Yes); Marjorie Prime (Trunk Theatre); Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre)

Outstanding New Play (Award to Playwright): Jessy Ardern, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and The Grand Theatre); Louise Casemore, Lucky Charm (Defiance Theatre, presented by Common Ground Arts and Theatre Yes); Greg MacArthur, My Testimonial (Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre); Nicole Moeller, Wildcat (Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre); Hayley Moorhouse, Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by a Performer in a Leading Role (Play): Nadien Chu, Death of a Salesman (Citadel Theatre and Arts Club Theatre Company); Michele Fleiger, Wildcat (Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre); Michael Peng, An Iliad (Shadow Theatre); Scott Shpeley, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Grand Theatre); Autumn Strom, Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by a Performer in a Leading Role (Musical): Chariz Faulmino, The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre); Gabriel Gagnon, Cry-Baby (Uniform Theatre); Teiya Kasahara, Silence (Nuova Vocal Arts); Mike Nadajewski, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (Citadel Theatre); Kelsey Verzotti, Legally Blonde (Citadel Theatre and Theatre Calgary)

Outstanding Performance by a Performer in a Supporting Role (Play): Alexander Ariate, Death of a Salesman (Citadel Theatre and Arts Club Theatre Company); April Banigan, Casey and Diana (Citadel Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects); Aimée Beaudoin, The Revolutionists (Shadow Theatre); Helen Knight, Casey and Diana (Citadel Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects); Katie Yoner, The 39 Steps (Teatro Live!)

Outstanding Performance by a Performer in a Supporting Role (Musical): Nadien Chu, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (Citadel Theatre); Hannah Crawford, Die Walküre (Edmonton Opera); Jacob Holloway, Cry-Baby (Uniform Theatre); Robyn Ord, Legally Blonde (Citadel Theatre and Theatre Calgary); Patricia Zentilli, Legally Blonde (Citadel Theatre and Theatre Calgary)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Play or Musical: the cast of Casey and Diana (Citadel Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects); the cast of Countries Shaped Like Stars (Fringe Theatre); the cast of Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Grand Theatre); the cast of The 39 Steps (Teatro Live!); the Cast of Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre)

Outstanding Direction: Daryl Cloran, Death of a Salesman (Citadel Theatre and Arts Club Theatre Company); Amanda Goldberg, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre); Lana Michelle Hughes, Casey and Diana (Citadel Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects); Haysam Kadri, Life of Pi (Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Murray Utas, Countries Shaped Like Stars (Fringe Theatre)

Outstanding Set Design: Even Gilchrist, Lucky Charm (Defiance Theatre, presented by Common Ground Arts and Theatre Yes); Beyata Hackborn, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre); Brandon Kleiman, The Wizard of Oz (the Citadel Theatre); Andy Moro, Die Walküre (Edmonton Opera); Cory Sincennes, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (Citadel Theatre).

Outstanding Lighting Design: Patrick Beagan, The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre); Lieke den Bakker, Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre); Hugh Conacher, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre); Whittyn Jason, Banana Musik (Common Ground Arts); April Viczko, Life of Pi (Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre)

Outstanding Costume Design: Joseph Abetria, Life of Pi (Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Rebecca Cypher, The Revolutionists (Shadow Theatre); Ami Farrow, As You Like It (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); Deanna Finnman, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre); Logan Stefura, Cry-Baby (Uniform Theatre)

Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical: Jim, Susan, and Kris Alvarez, Banana Musik (Common Ground Arts): Colleen Dauncey and Akiva Romer-Segal, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (Citadel Theatre); Jason Kodie, Wildcat (Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre); Joelysa Pankenea, Death of a Salesman (Citadel Theatre and Arts Club Theatre Company); Leslie Uyeda, Silence (Nuova Vocal Arts)

Outstanding Sound Design: Maddie Bautista, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre); Dave Clarke, Request Programme (Northern Light Theatre); Amy Dass, Hyena’s Trail (Hereforfear Collective); Kena León, Lucky Charm (Defiance Theatre, presented by Common Ground Arts and Theatre Yes); Erik Mortimer, An Iliad (Shadow Theatre)

Outstanding Musical Direction: Simon Abbott, Morningside Road (Shadow Theatre); Rachel Cameron, Legally Blonde (Citadel Theatre and Theatre Calgary); Ryan deSouza, Vinyl Cafe: The Musical (Citadel Theatre); Steven Greenfield, The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre); Mackenzie Tennessen, Cry-Baby (Uniform Theatre)

Outstanding Choreography, Fight/Intimacy Direction: Brett Dahl, choreography, Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre); Julio Fuentes, choreography, The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre); Jason Hardwick choreography, Cry-Baby (Uniform Theatre); Anna Kuman, movement director, Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and The Grand Theatre); Daniel Levinson (fight director), Cyrano de Bergerac (Citadel Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and The Grand Theatre); Dayna Tietzen (puppetry director), Life of Pi (Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre)

Outstanding Multimedia Design: Kim Clegg, Burning Mom (Citadel Theatre and Arts Club Theatre Company); Corwin Ferguson, Life of Pi (Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Ian Jackson, Tough Guy (Persistent Myth Productions, presented by Fringe Theatre); Andy Moro, Die Walküre (Edmonton Opera); Laura Warren, The Wizard of Oz (Citadel Theatre)

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Production: Liv Bunge. Patrick Fraser; Peter Locock; Brian Maxwell; Tiana McLean

Outstanding Production for Young Audiences: Celestial Being (Concrete Theatre); Pinocchio (Alberta Musical Theatre Company); The Silver Skate Folk Trail (Silver Skate Festival)

Outstanding Artistic Achievement, Theatre for Young Audiences: Sarah Emslie, director, The Silver Skate Folk Trail (Silver Skate Festival); Corben Kushneryk, director/choreographer), Pinocchio (Alberta Musical Theatre Company); Ximena Pinilla (set and prop designer), Celestial Being (Concrete Theatre); Emma Schneider (actor), Celestial Being (Concrete Theatre); Cory Sincennes (set designer), Pinocchio (Alberta Musical Theatre Company)

Outstanding Fringe Production: Assassins (Uniform Theatre); The Last Perfect Game (High Fives at Zero Theatre); The Queen’s Last Night / La Dernière Nuit de la Reine (Gilbert Drapeau); Rat Academy 2: Gnaw and Order (Batrabbit Collective); “SPEED” A 1940’s Radio Drama (Cousins-In-Law Productions)

Outstanding Fringe New Work (Award to Playwright): Seth Gilfillan and Stephen Allred, Final Girl: A New Musical (Straight Edge Theatre); Jesse Harlton and Andrew Boyd, “SPEED” A 1940’s Radio Drama (Cousins-In-Law Productions); Christine Lesiak and Louise Casemore, The Lost Sock Rescue Society (Small Matters Productions); Sebastian Ley, Cadaver Synod (Vault Theatre); Katie Yoner and Dayna Lea Hoffmann, Rat Academy 2: Gnaw and Order (Batrabbit Collective)

Outstanding Fringe Performance by an Individual: Chris Bullough, Undiscovered Country (Cannonball); Kristin Johnston, Paloma and Joy (Whizgiggling Productions); Gemma Lissoway, Old Man Sallow Who Lives on Crypt Rock by Liam Witte (Staged Theatre Productions); Nico Maiorana, Assassins (Uniform Theatre); Rain Matkin, Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things (Thought Train)

Outstanding Fringe Performance by an Ensemble: the cast of Assassins (Uniform Theatre); the cast of Cadaver Synod (Vault Theatre); the cast of Rat Academy 2: Gnaw and Order (Batrabbit Collective); the cast of “SPEED” A 1940’s Radio Drama (Cousins-In-Law Productions); the cast of Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things (Thought Train)

Outstanding Fringe Director: Jim Guedo, Victor and Victoria’s Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things (Thought Train); David Kennedy, Undiscovered Country (Cannonball); Joseph McManus, Rat Academy 2: Gnaw and Order (Batrabbit Collective); Kalen Sabasch, Old Man Sallow Who Lives on Crypt Rock by Liam Witte (Staged Theatre Productions); Jan Selman, The Last Perfect Game (High Fives at Zero Theatre)

CANADIAN ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION AWARDS In honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA): Life Member Award: Maralyn Ryan; Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories Equity Changemaker Award: Gina Puntil; Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories Equity Emerging Artist Award: Hayley Moorhouse

LEGACY AWARDS

Outstanding Contribution to Edmonton Theatre: John Hudson

Margaret Mooney Award for Outstanding Achievement in Administration: Megan Dart

Ross Hill Award for Outstanding Achievement in Production: Geoff Bacchus