Kildare actress Liz Stears wins Best Female Singer at AIMS awards
Liz Stears won the award for her portrayal of Judas in The Odd Theatre Company’s production of the acclaimed rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar
Kildare-based actress Liz Stears has been named Best Female Singer at the Irish musical theatre awards for her portrayal of Judas in The Odd Theatre Company’s production of the acclaimed rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. Stears received the award at the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards Ceremony in Killarney on Saturday evening, June 13.
The AIMS Awards, which have been running since 1972, celebrate excellence in the more than 100 community musical theatre productions that take place in Ireland each year.
Stears, who works locally as a music teacher and wedding performer, was also named Best Supporting Actress, at the same ceremony, for her performance as Anita in Newbridge Musical Theatre’s production of West Side Story.
The Odd Theatre Company’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which took place at the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, last October, was also named as a runner-up in the Best Overall Show and Best Choral Singing categories at the awards, while its director, Cian O’Dowd, was a runner-up in the Best Director category.
The group’s previous musical, the Irish premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, won Best Overall Show at last year’s Awards.
Speaking about Jesus Christ Superstar’s success at this year’s AIMS Awards, director Cian O’Dowd, said, “To be nominated for Best Overall Show for the second year in a row is an enormous achievement and is testament to the dedication and talent of the group, who worked tirelessly to bring a unique actor-musician version of this show to the stage.
“Anyone familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s inimitable rock opera will know that it is incredibly demanding vocally, which makes the company’s runner-up placement in the Best Choral Singing category a real credit, not only to the cast, but to our brilliant and inspiring musical director, Keelin Kilduff.
“The role of Judas is, of course, the most vocally demanding in the show and Liz’s enormously compelling, deeply moving, and vocally flawless performance makes her richly deserving of her success at this year’s Awards.”
The Odd Theatre Company’s next production, Lerner and Loewe’s musical classic, My Fair Lady, will run at the Moat Theatre, Naas, from 24 to 26 September this year.
Meanwhile, other Kildare winners on the night included: Newbridge Musical Theatre – West Side Story- Stage Manager: Sarah Hall; Best Ensemble: Leixlip Musical & Variety Group- Fame- The Musical in the Gilbert Awards; Best Overall Show: 2nd Place: Leixlip Musical & Variety Group- Fame- The Musical.