January 24, 2024
K-State theatre professor selected Broadway World Best Director
Submitted by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
The BroadwayWorld.com Best of Kansas City Theatre Awards were announced last week, and Jerry Jay Cranford, assistant theatre professor, was chosen as Best Director of a Professional Musical.
The New Theatre in Overland Park presented a sold out run of "Dreamgirls" in 2023, with Cranford as director.
The production won seven of its eight nominations with two K-State alumni winning awards for their performances. Shon Ruffin as Effie White won Best Actor in a Professional Musical and Darrington Clark as James "Thunder" Early won Best Featured Actor in a Professional Musical.
"Dreamgirls" also won Best Musical Best Ensemble, Best Costumes, Best Musical Direction and was runner-up for Best Choreography of the 2022-23 theatre season. The professional category means the production utilizes union actors and crew. The cast featured other K-State alumni Donovan Woods as Curtis Taylor Jr., Randy Rhoten as CC White with Alyssa Byers in the ensemble and Ceslie Parker Waller as the female swing.
This summer, Cranford will return to the New Theatre of Overland Park as the director/choreographer for his fourth regional production of "Newsies" with past productions in Nebraska, Illinois and Kansas City. The new production opens July 5 and closes Sept. 8.