The best in St. Louis regional theater earn Lotties
The textures, types and tenacity of regional professional theater continue to enrich my life, and I hope yours as well.
Looking back at what transpired on local stages in 2015, I am inspired by the devoted artists who fearlessly dig deep and lay themselves bare for our entertainment.
Someone once said that books are about how people think, theater is about how people feel, and movies are about how people act. Good theater must move us — make us think and feel.
Theater artists say something, and their efforts are a labor of love. Our local arts scene pulsates with energy and overflows with talent—an encouraging abundance of quality.
Productions run the gamut of little-known works presented here for the first time, classics given fresh looks and heralded award winners whose rights are now available.
In 2014, I created “The Lotties” — Lynn’s Love of Theater Annual Awards. For this year’s awards, I have added a category – Dramatic Comedies, in order to differentiate works of comedies (funny ha-ha) from the darker efforts that lean towards drama, but aren’t classified as such.
As one of the founders of the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, we will honor excellence in plays and musicals on Monday, March 21. For the fourth year, we will present awards in 36 categories at the Skip Viragh Center for the Performing Arts at Chaminade High School in St. Louis. Nominations will be announced the last week in January. Stay tuned.
What distinguishes works? In my opinion, it is through a company’s vision and viewpoint – how they interpret a story and what is the end result of a fortuitous collaboration.
Thank you, The Muny, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Stages St. Louis, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, West End Players Guild, New Line Theatre, Dramatic License Productions (closed in ’15), Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, New Jewish Theatre, Stray Dog Theater, Insight Theatre, R-S Theatrics, St. Louis Actors’ Studio, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Equally Represented Arts, The Midnight Company, St. Louis Shakespeare, Mustard Seed Theatre, Upstream Theatre, Theatre Lab and Max and Louie Productions.
The regional professional theater scene -- once more, with feeling. My choices for excellence in the second annual Lynn’s Love of Theater Awards (The LOTTIES) are:
PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR: “Emmeline,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
The local premiere of J.D. McClatchy and Tobias Picker’s shattering, powerful American saga about a 19th century woman’s secrets, which hadn’t been presented since its 1996 debut at the Sante Fe Opera, was a searing, unforgettable work. We were moved by the visual artistry and Joyce El-Khoury’s devastating performance – starting hopeful at age 14 and ending some 20 years later as a broken woman in her 30s. The shouts afterwards from the audience was deafening, and hard-earned.
BEST TOURING SHOW: Smart, strong females always a worthy choice -- “Wicked” at the Fox Theatre (old); “Matilda” (new)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Shakespeare in the Street’s “The World Begun” – For the fourth year, free theater outdoors in a local neighborhood shimmered on a summer night. Nancy Bell, resident playwright for Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, created an original modern spin on “Twelfth Night,” using both the north city surroundings and residents as part of the event. Pure bliss.
The artwork and illustrations by Aaron Allen and Michelle Sauer in Theatre Lab’s “The Pillowman” and the original paintings by Marjorie Williamson in “Sublime Intimacy added an emotional depth.
The third annual LaBute New Play Festival at St. Louis Actors’ Studio – interesting, thought-provoking new works two weekends every summer, growing each year and now Broadway bound!
St. Louis Fringe Festival – Innovation by free-range artists in Grand Center for two weeks every summer. What a concept! What fun!
The Grand Center Theatre Crawl – A free event to sample the efforts of local professional groups. This refreshing taste of theater was savored on a midsummer’s eve, and I’ll be back next year for a second helping.
MVPS
Belleville native Rob Lippert designed the Marcelle Theatre for New Line Theatre to meet their needs – and his as resident set designer. A perfect match.
Adam Flores filled in to admirably play Orsino in St. Louis Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” with only a few days to learn the part.
John Contini’s and Peter Mayer’s professionalism in subbing for other actors in New Jewish Theatre’s “The Sunshine Boys.” The show must go on, and those two didn’t miss a beat!
BEST MUSICAL
“Into the Woods,” The Muny
“Anything Goes,” Stages St. Louis
“Heathers,” New Line Theatre
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Stray Dog Theatre
“The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre Company
“Oklahoma,” The Muny
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” The Muny
“Dogfight,” Stray Dog Theatre
“The Full Monty,” Stages St. Louis
BEST DRAMA
“All the Way,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Pillowman,” Theatre Lab
“Safe House,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
“I and You,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
“The Cockfighter,” West End Players Guild
(tie) “Animals Out of Paper,” R-S Theatrics
BEST DRAMATIC COMEDY
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
“The Gin Game,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
“Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” R-S Theatrics
“Bad Jews,” New Jewish Theatre
“The Killing of Sister George,” Max and Louie Productions
BEST COMEDY
“The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
“Buyer and Cellar,” The Rep Studio Theatre
“The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
“Wild Oats,” St. Louis Shakespeare
“Moon Over Buffalo,” Insight Theatre Company
BEST ACTOR – MUSICAL
Andy Christopher - “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” The Muny
Evan Fornachon – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Ben Davis – “Oklahoma,” The Muny
Martin Fox - “The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre
Zachary Allen Farmer – “The Threepenny Opera,” New Line Theatre
Gerry Love – “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Stray Dog Theatre
Ben Nordstrom – “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding,” New Jewish Theatre
BEST ACTOR – DRAMA
J. Samuel Davis - “Bashir Lazhar,” Upstream Theatre
Bryan Dykstra - “All the Way,” The Repertory Theatre
Jerry Vogel - “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Upstream Theatre
Daniel Morgan Shelley - “Safe House,” The Rep Studio Theatre
Michael Hogan - “Kandahar,” LaBute New Play Festival, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Jay Stratton – “The Winslow Boy,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Joe Hanrahan - “One Flea Spare,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
BEST ACTOR – DRAMATIC COMEDY
Jeffrey C. Hawkins – “Peter and the Starcatcher,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
William Roth - “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Peter Mayer - “The Gin Game,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Antonio Rodriguez - “Bad Jews,” New Jewish Theatre
Jared Sanz-Agero - “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” R-S Theatrics
John Pierson - “Seminar,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
BEST ACTOR – COMEDY
Jeremy Webb – “Buyer and Cellar,” The Rep Studio
Alan Knoll - “Moon Over Buffalo,” Insight Theatre
Pete Winfrey - “The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
John Felcht - “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Joe Hanrahan – ‘House,” The Midnight Company, St. Louis Fringe Festival
BEST ACTRESS – MUSICAL
Joyce El-Khoury – “Emmeline,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Heather Headley - “Into the Woods,” The Muny
Julie Cardia - “Anything Goes,” Stages St. Louis
Shannon Cothran - “Dogfight,” Stray Dog Theatre
Anna Skidis - “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Taylor Pietz - “Jerry Springer the Opera,” New Line Theatre
BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA
Ami Loui - “The Amish Project,” Mustard Seed Theatre
Jenni Ryan - “Spinning into Butter,” Insight Theatre Company
Emily Baker - “Sight Unseen,” New Jewish Theatre
Shirine Babb - “Antony and Cleopatra,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Janie Brookshire – “Angel Street,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
BEST ACTRESS – DRAMATIC COMEDY
Kari Ely - “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
LaVonne Byers - “The Killing of Sister George,” Max and Louie Productions
Linda Kennedy – “The Gin Game,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Paula Stoff Dean - “Venus in Fur,” West End Players Guild
Em Piro – “Bad Jews,” New Jewish Theatre
(tie) Michelle Hand and Sarajane Alverson – “God of Carnage,” Stray Dog Theatre
BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY
Suzanne Grodner - “Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike,” the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Nicole Angeli - “Wild Oats,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Marlene Rene Coveyou - “The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Rachel Tibbetts – “The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Shannon Marie Sullivan – “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Colleen Backer – “The Odd Couple (Female Version),” Dramatic License Productions
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – MUSICAL
Joneal Joplin - “The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre
Milton Craig Nealy – “The Full Monty,” Stages St. Louis
Sam Weber – “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” The Muny
Rob McClure – “Into the Woods,” The Muny
Paxton Whitehead - “My Fair Lady,” The Muny
Matthew Scott - “My Fair Lady,” The Muny
Jeoncheol Cha – “The Barber of Seville,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Andrew Samonsky – “Into the Woods,” The Muny
Dan Fenaughty – “Anything Goes,” Stages St. Louis
Bob Amaral – “Anything Goes,” Stages St. Louis
(tie) Richard Crandle – “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Stages St. Louis
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – DRAMA
Nick Kelly – “The Pillowman,” Theatre Lab
Chris Tipp - “Dog Sees God,” Stray Dog Theatre
John Reidy - “The Cockfighter,” West End Players Guild
John Flack – “Sublime Intimacy,” Max and Louie Productions
John O’ Hagan – “Spinning Into Butter,” Insight Theater
Will Cobbs – “Safe House,” The Rep Studio
Geoffrey Wade – “Angel Street,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – DRAMATIC COMEDY
Spencer Davis Milford – “Peter and the Starcatcher,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Will Bonfiglio – “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” R-S Theatrics
Jason Contini – “Seminar,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Larry Dell – “Art,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – COMEDY
Peter Mayer - “The Sunshine Boys,” New Jewish Theatre
Michael Baird – “Devil Boys from Beyond,” Stray Dog Theatre
John Bratkowski – “The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Will Bonfiglio – “Moon Over Buffalo,” Insight Theatre
Jaime Zayas – “Twelfth Night,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Jefferson McDonald – “Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – MUSICAL
Zoe Vonder Haar – “The Full Monty,” Stages St. Louis
Grace Seidel – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Liz Mikel – “Hairspray,” The Muny
Larissa White – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Sicily Mathenia – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Kimmie Kidd - “Spellbound: A Musical Fable,” Stray Dog Theatre
Elena Shaddow – “Into the Woods,” The Muny
Teressa Kindle – “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” The Muny
Emily Afton – “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Stages St. Louis
Zoe Vonder Haar – “My Fair Lady,” The Muny
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – DRAMA
Kelly Taffe – “Safe House,” The Rep Studio
Myxolydia Tyler – “All the Way,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Donna Weinstein – “Homebody,” LaBute New Play Festival, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Carol Schultz – “The Winslow Boy,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Erin Kelley – “Spinning Into Butter,” Insight Theatre Company
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – DRAMATIC COMEDY
Elizabeth Van Pelt – “Rapture, Blister, Burn,” West End Players Guild
Betsy Hogg – “Peter and the Starcatcher,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Betsy Bowman – “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Shannon Nara – “The Killing of Sister George,” Max and Louie Productions
Taylor Steward – “Bad Jews,” New Jewish Theatre
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – COMEDY
Tommy Nolan – “Moon Over Buffalo,” Insight Theatre Company
Jeanetta Perkins – “The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Fannie Belle-Libby – “The Sunshine Boys,” New Jewish Theatre
Erin Rene Roberts – “The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Elizabeth Knocke – “Twelfth Night,” St.Louis Shakespeare
BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCES
Cole Hoefferle - “The Full Monty,” Stages St. Louis
Benjimin Tracey - “The Cockfighter,” West End Players Guild
Kevin Connelly – “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Stray Dog Theatre
Spencer Jones - “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Rynier Gaffney - “Cold in Hand,” LaBute New Play Festival, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
BEST DUOS - PLAYS
Peter Mayer and Linda Kennedy - “The Gin Game,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Jerry Vogel and Bobby Miller – “Imagining Madoff,” New Jewish Theatre
Ellie Schwetye and Carl Overly Jr. – “The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Reynaldo Piniella and Danielle Carlacci - “I and You,” Repertory Studio Theatre
John Contini and Peter Mayer – “The Sunshine Boys,” New Jewish Theatre
Aaron and Emily Baker – “Sight Unseen,” New Jewish Theatre
Eric Dean White and Lisa Tejero – “The Kiss,” Upstream Theatre
Paul James and Phil Leveling – “The Odd Couple (Female version),” Dramatic License Productions
Carl Overly Jr. and Matthew Knocke – “The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Patrick Blindauer and Shanara Gabrielle – “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Upstream Theatre
BEST DUOS/GROUPS – MUSICALS
Rob McClure and Steve Rosen - “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Sicily Matheny, Larissa White and Cameisha Cotton in “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Anthony Kalil and Corinne Winters – “La Rondine,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Chris Kernan and Joel Hackbarth – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Christina Ramirez and Adam Hunn – “The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre Company
Patti Murin and Colin Donnell – “Holiday Inn,” The Muny
Nicholas Rodriguez and Kate Rockwell – “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Bryan Batt and Lara Teeter – “Hairspray,” The Muny
Corey Fraine and Mike Wells – “Spellbound! A Musical Fable,” Stray Dog Theatre
Omega Jones and Clayton Humburg – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR – MUSICALS
James Robinson - “Emmeline,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Gary Griffin - “Into the Woods,” The Muny
Rob Ruggiero - “Oklahoma,” The Muny
Justin Been – “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Stray Dog Theatre
Scott Miller and Mike Dowdy - “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Maggie Ryan – “The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre Company
Marcia Milgrim Dodge – “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” The Muny
BEST DIRECTOR – DRAMA
Steve Woolf – “All the Way,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Ryan Foizey – “The Pillowman,” Theatre Lab
Patrick Siler – “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Upstream Theatre
Melissa Maxwell – “Safe House,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
Bobby Miller – “Sight Unseen,” New Jewish Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR – DRAMATIC COMEDY
John Contini – “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Christina Rios – “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” R-S Theatrics
Steve Peirick – “Rapture, Blister, Burn,” West End Players Guild
Sydnie Grosberg Ronga – “Bad Jews,” New Jewish Theatre
Gary F. Bell – “God of Carnage,” Stray Dog Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR – COMEDY
Jacqueline Thompson – “The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Kirsten Wylder – “The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Shaun Sheley – “Wild Oats,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Edward Coffield – “Moon Over Buffalo,” Insight Theatre Company
Donna Northcott – “Twelfth Night,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Michael Evan Haney – “Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Brad Haak - “Into the Woods,” The Muny
Michael Horsley – “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” The Muny
James Moore – “Holiday Inn,” The Muny
Kevin Stites – “Oklahoma,” The Muny
Grant Llewellyn - “Richard the Lionheart,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Chris Petersen – “Dogfight,” Stray Dog Theatre
Jeffrey Richard Carter and Sue Goldford – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Catherine Edwards Kopff – “The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre Company
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Denis Jones - “Holiday Inn,” The Muny
Stephen Bourneuf - “Anything Goes,” Stages St. Louis
Dan Knechtges and Jessica Hartman - “Hairspray,” The Muny
Robin Michelle Berger – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Zach Stefaniak - “Spellbound: A Musical Fable,” Stray Dog Theatre
Vince Pesce – “Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Stephen Bourneuf - “The Full Monty,” Stages St. Louis
BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC
Sleepy Kitty – Paige Brubeck and Evan Sult, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Upstream Theatre
Scott O’Brien -- “Safe House,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
Luke Viertel – “The Pillowman,” Theatre Lab
Henry Palkes – “Sublime Intimacy,” Max and Louie Productions
Farshid Soltanshahi – “Bashir Lazhar,” Upstream Theatre
BEST SCENIC DESIGN – MUSICALS
Robert Mark Morgan – “Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Robert Mark Morgan – “Hairspray,” The Muny
Shoko Kamara - “The Barber of Seville,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Rob Lippert – “Spellbound: A Musical Fable,” Stray Dog Theatre
Rob Lippert – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Allen Moyer – “Emmeline,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Luke Shyrock – “The Fantasticks,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
BEST SCENIC DESIGN – PLAYS
Wilson Chin - “Angel Street,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Peter and Margery Spack – “Moon Over Buffalo,” Insight Theatre
Peter and Margery Spack – “Safe House,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
Scott C. Neale – “Antony and Cleopatra,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Mark Wilson – “An Invitation Out,” Mustard Seed Theatre
Paul Shortt - Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
James Kronzer – “All the Way,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Ryan Ethridge - “Twelfth Night,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Eric Barker - “I and You,” The Rep Studio Theatre
Mark Wilson – “The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
(tie) Kyra Bishop – “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” Upstream Theatre
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN – MUSICALS
Christopher Ackerlind – “Emmeline,” Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Matthew McCarthy – “The Full Monty,” Stages St. Louis
Tyler Duenow – “Dogfight,” Stray Dog Theatre
Kenneth Zinkl – “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Paige Seber – “The Fantasticks,” Insight Theatre Company
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN - PLAYS
Peter E. Sargent - “Angel Street,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Nathan Schroeder – “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” R-S Theatrics
Bess Moynihan - “One Flea Spare,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Tyler Duenow - “Devil Boys from Beyond,” Stray Dog Theatre
Patrick Huber - “Sublime Intimacy,” Max and Louie Productions
John Wylie - “Antony and Cleopatra,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Dalton Robison – “Art,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Michael Sullivan – “An Invitation Out,” Mustard Seed Theatre
Nathan Schroeder – “Venus in Fur,” West End Players Guild
Kenton Yeager – “Peter and the Starcatcher,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
BEST SOUND DESIGN – PLAYS
Rusty Wandall - “Angel Street,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Robin Weatherall - “Sublime Intimacy,” Max and Louie Productions
Rusty Wandall - “I and You,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
Mary Beth Winslow – “The Cockfighter,” West End Players Guild
Chuck Lavazzi – “Venus in Fur,” West End Players Guild
BEST COSTUME DESIGN – MUSICALS
Gary F. Bell and Eileen Engel - “Spellbound: A Musical Fable,” Stray Dog Theatre
Robin McGee - “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Alejo Vietti - “Holiday Inn,” The Muny
Leon Dobkowski - “Hairspray,” The Muny
Sarah Porter - “Heathers,” New Line Theatre
Brad Musgrove - Anything Goes,” Stages St. Louis
Eileen Engel - “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Stray Dog Theatre
BEST COSTUME DESIGN – PLAYS
Beth Ashby – “An Invitation Out,” Mustard Seed Theatre
Eileen Engel – “Devil Boys from Beyond,” Stray Dog Theatre
JC Krajicek - “The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler,” St. Louis Shakespeare
Cyndi Lohrmann - “The Killing of Sister George,” Max and Louie Productions
Elizabeth Henning - “The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Myrna Coffey-Lee – “Safe House,” The Repertory Studio Theatre
David Kay Mickelsen – “Peter and the Starcatcher,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Best Hairstyles and Wig Work: Priscilla Case - “Devil Boys from Beyond,” Stray Dog Theatre
Best New Play: “The World Begun,” Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Best One-Act: “Kandahar,” Neil LaBute, LaBute New Play Festival, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Best Dialect Coach: Pamela Reckamp – “The 39 Steps,” Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 10:32 AM with the headline "The best in St. Louis regional theater earn Lotties."