Best Production nominees

The Actor Boy Awards (ABA), which is presented under the auspices of the International Theatre Institute - Jamaica Centre, takes place today at the Pantry Playhouse, 2 Dumfries Road.

Here is an overview of some of the productions down for top honours at this year's ABA.

White Witch

With an impressive 15 nominations Jane Crichton's White Witch, produced by the Fairfield Theatre in Montego Bay, heads the list of productions down for top honours at this year's ABA.

Using the legend of Annie Palmer as its framework, the musical connects the personal with the historical through sterling performances and technical precision. Expertly guided by award-winning director Douglas Prout, the production was an exhibition of theatre in its totality, integrating the fundamentals into a brilliant spectacle. Barring special effects, White Witch has been recognised in every single category of the ABA for which it is eligible.

Cindy

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Campion College showcased the combined talents of students, teachers and alumni in its musical production of Bob Kerr's Cindy.

The play, which captures some aspects of the popular children's fairy tale Cinderella, has already claimed the ABA for Children's Theatre and has another seven nominations. Among the production's outstanding features were the spectacular costume designs, delightful music provided by the Campion Band under the direction of Karen Armstrong, and the riotous antics of the lead actors.

Tartuffe

Considered one of the greatest plays ever written, the University Players rendition of Moliere's Tartuffe ranks among the top productions with six nominations.

Set in Paris in the 1660s, audiences were treated to period costumes and dialogue delivered in rhyming verse splashed with Jamaican dialect. The contemporary translation was more than relatable to the Jamaican audiences who remained in stitches throughout the performances. A triumph for the strong cast, under the direction of Paul Issa, the University Players once again displayed their competence in affording local audiences a taste of world theatre.

Midnight at Puss Creek

A multiple nominee in this category, Jambiz International secured another nod from the judges with a "hilariously scary whodunnit" production of Patrick Brown's Midnight at Puss Creek.

Impressive special effects, coupled with dramatic light and set design, provide a captivating backdrop on which the murder-mystery unfolds. The masterful writing of Patrick Brown executed by a seasoned team of actors, make for a refreshing comedy shaped to intrigue and entertain. Though seen as a deviation from its customary Christmas offering, the production maintains the Jambiz reputation for creating theatrical work that is top class.

Glass Routes

The year's major production for the University Dramatic Arts Society Glass Routes is an appealing musical that incorporates song and movement with drama and storytelling.

Writer and director Michael Holgate, ably merges contemporary musical numbers with inspired choreography to complement an insightful story of identity, relationships and self discovery. The spirited cast, backed by a live band, negotiate the variance in forms to convey a singular work that is as pleasing as it is enlightening. Add to that, the proficiency of the Philip Sherlock technical team, then it is understandable why Glass Routes has made its way to the coveted list of the top productions for 2010.