LOWELL, MA – On Monday, February 19, 2007, the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP announced the winners of the 17^th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards.  Among the nominees were Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Executive Director Tom Parrish and e’Marcus Harper, Musical Director for MRT’s current hit production Dinah Was.  Mr. Parrish won the Best Producer category for his work on the celebrated production of Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage at San Diego Repertory Theatre. Mr. Parrish worked as Associate Managing Director and General Manager at San Diego Repertory Theatre prior to accepting his position at MRT in September 2006.  The production received nine nominations and won six awards. The other winners are Jennifer Brawn Gittings - Best Costume Design, Jennifer Setlow – Best Lighting Design, Fred Kinney – Best Set Design, Sylvia M’Lafi Tompson – Best Supporting Female Role and Michael Shepperd – Best Supporting Male Role.

The 17th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards were held on Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, California.  The theme of this year’s awards was 'Imitations of Life', celebrating the evolution of the portrayal of African Americans in theater, from unrealistic, stereotypical caricatures to a more balanced and honest reflection of the Black experience as a whole.  The NAACP Theatre Awards are given for excellence in the theater featuring African American themes and performers.  This year’s event was hosted by Emmy Award-nominated actress Chandra Wilson ('Grey’s Anatomy') and Steve Harris (“The Practice”).  Other winners included Laurence Fishburne for his performance in Without Walls, and George C. Wolfe was honored with a lifetime achievement award.

Mr. Parrish, unable to attend the event due to the opening of Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Dinah Was, was thrilled when he received the news, “Producing Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel was such an incredible experience.  It is definitely one of the finest pieces of writing in the American theatre today.  We had a phenomenal cast – Lisa Renee Pitts, Lisa Payton, Lisel Gorell-Getz, Sylvia M’Lafi Thompson, Lance Smith and Michael Shepperd; an extraordinary design team with Fred Kinney, Jennifer Setlow, Jennifer Brawn Gittings and Stephanie Robinson; and an immensely talented director Delicia Turner-Sonnenberg.  I am very gratified that the NAACP has recognized this production and everyone’s dedicated efforts. I am grateful to everyone at San Diego Repertory Theatre, most especially Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse for the opportunity to produce a mainstage play and for his mentorship.” 

ABOUT MRT

Merrimack Repertory Theatre is a critically acclaimed non-profit, professional theatre company in Lowell, Massachusetts.  Now in its 28th season, MRT has been under the artistic direction of Charles Towers since 2001 and has become known for high-quality productions of contemporary and new work.  During the last six seasons, MRT has produced 7 world premiere new scripts and 22 regional premiere productions.  MRT is one of four LORT theatres (the leading organization of non-profit theatres in the U.S.) in Massachusetts with Huntington Theatre, American Repertory Theatre and Berkshire Theatre Festival.  Centrally located at the convergence of Routes 3, 93 and 495, MRT is a convenient destination for outstanding theatre.  For more information or tickets for upcoming shows, call 978-654-4MRT or visit www.merrimackrep.org.

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updated February 28, 2007

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