‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Bloodless’ and ‘Cinderella’ lead Dora nominations

TORONTO – “The Wizard of Oz,” “Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare” and “Cinderella” are the leading contenders for this year’s Dora Mavor Moore Awards with nine nominations apiece.

All three were named in the categories of best production and best ensemble as nominations for the 34th annual awards were announced Monday.

“The Wizard of Oz,” which Mirvish Productions plans to tour after Labour Day, also got nominations including best direction by Jeremy Sams and acting nods for Cedric Smith and Lisa Horner.

Theatre 20’s “Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare” by Winnipeg playwright Joseph Aragon, which tells the story of the 1829 West Port murders in Edinburgh, also received multiple acting nods — for Evan Buliung, Carly Street and Jan Alexandra Smith.

Its other nominations include best new musical/opera.

Meanwhile, “Cinderella” from Young People’s Theatre also has nominations, including best direction by Allen MacInnis and best acting by Richard Lee and Steffi DiDomenicantonio.

In the general theatre division, “Arigato, Tokyo” by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre leads with eight nominations.

The frontrunner in the independent theatre category is “The Lesson” by Modern Times Stage Company, which also has eight nominations.

And the top opera contenders with five nominations each are “Il Trovatore,” an Opera de Marseille production presented by the Canadian Opera Company, and the COC’s “Dialogues des Carmelites” (the Nederlandse Opera production).

The Dora awards honour top Toronto talent in the performing arts, with categories also including dance and theatre for young audiences.

This year’s winners will be announced June 24 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in the Bluma Appel Theatre.

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Online: http://www.tapa.ca/doras/nominees