Little Theatre of Alexandria earns 24 WATCH award nominations for 2025 season
Historic community theater among top contenders at 24th annual ceremony March 22
The Little Theatre of Alexandria has received 24 nominations for the 2025 WATCH Awards, recognizing the theater’s work across five productions staged last year.
The nominations were announced Jan. 18 by the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors organization, which evaluated 94 productions from 28 community theater companies across the D.C. region during the 2025 calendar year.
LTA’s comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong” leads the theater’s nominations with nine, including outstanding play, outstanding direction for Frank D. Shutts II, and the Leta Hall outstanding ensemble award. The physical comedy also earned recognition for set construction (Jim Hutzler), set design (Dan Deisz and Dan Remmers), set painting (Deirdre Nicholson-Lamb), properties (Kira Hogan and Joanne Tompkins), special effects (Ken and Patti Crowley, Myke Taister and Russell M. Wyland), and stage combat choreography (Ian Claar).
Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” garnered seven nominations, including outstanding lead performer for Seth Rue as Benedick. The production also earned nods for lighting design, makeup design, properties, set decoration, set design, and set painting.
Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers” received six nominations. Sarah Cusenza is nominated for outstanding lead performer for her portrayal of Bella, while Sally Cusenza and Brian Jimenez earned outstanding featured performer nominations for their roles as Grandma and Louie, respectively. The production also received technical nominations for lighting, makeup and set decoration.
Clayton Alex James earned an outstanding lead performer in a musical nomination for his dual role as Simon/Lola in “Kinky Boots,” and Garrett Rinker received an outstanding cameo nomination for Teen Angel in “Grease.”
The 24th annual WATCH Awards ceremony will be held Sunday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at the Birchmere. Tickets are $25 at the Birchmere box office or $36.95 through Ticketmaster. The event traditionally sells out; jacket attire is requested.
LTA’s next production, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “School of Rock,” opens Feb. 7 and runs through Feb. 28.
