Nominations for the Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) came out last week. And the play that Deb directed, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? got a bunch of award nominations.

It wasn’t Deb’s idea to do the play. Mark and Kelly, who played George and Martha, proposed the play to Michelle at Theatre Burlington.

They knew that they needed to have a director attached if they were going to bring it forward. They asked Deb to direct.

It was Deb’s debut directing gig.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is a big play for a first-time director.

Deb started working on the play last year around this time. Planning, thinking, obsessing about it.

Mark and Kelly have the chops for the main roles. And Deb cast Jeff and Rebecca as Nick and Honey. Both of whom were able to bring depth and nuance to their roles.

It was a masterclass in acting to watch the four of them play together.

Deb also had a great production crew to help her along. Michelle produced and assembled a wonderful crew. Michelle also designed the set.

So many things go into creating a show. And to get it perfect…? It doesn’t happen too often.

I was there for the adjudication of the show. The adjudicator called the production “spectacular”.

And it was.

Here are the categories that they were nominated for:

The only absence from my perspective? Jeff and Rebecca.

They should have got nominations for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role. But the nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Production also covers that.

The Awards will be on May 18. And whether they win any awards (although I hope they do), it is wonderful to have so many nominations.

To the entire cast and crew of Theatre Burlington’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?: Kudos on the well-deserved nominations.

And thank you for the awesome production!