Local LGBT-centric theater companies took home top awards at the 2022 Carbonell Awards at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on Nov. 7.

Ronnie Larsen Presents and POW! (Plays of Wilton) went into the 45th annual ceremony with 13 nominations for the musical “Come Out! Come Out!” the Michael McKeever Hollywood comedy “The Code,” and Larsen’s critically acclaimed “The Actors.”

In an especially competitive year, Jeni Hacker won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Play for “The Actors.” Oren Korenblum took home the Outstanding Choreography trophy for “Come Out! Come Out!”

Island City Stage’s powerful production of Donja Love’s “One in Two,” a look at the effects of HIV/AIDS among African American men, earned Delicia Turner Sonnenberg Best Direction, Play honors.

And Slow Burn Theatre Co., the resident regional company at the Broward Center, won three trophies for shows that either explored LGBT themes or appealed to LGBT audiences: Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Musical for Elijah Word in “Kinky Boots,” Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Musical for Mallory Newbrough in “Matilda,” and Outstanding Costume Design for Leonora Nikitin for “Head Over Heels,” the musical featuring a score by ‘80s girl band The Go-Go’s.

In recent years, the Carbonell organization has received criticism within the South Florida theater community over a lack of diversity among the panelists and judges, as well as award nominations and winners.

Carbonell Board President Gary Schweikhart responded, “It was a truly joyous occasion when we celebrated the most diverse group of talented nominees – and winners – in our history. Each and everyone is an exquisite example of South Florida’s theatrical excellence, all brilliantly flowering in this post-COVID cultural renaissance.”

For more information, go to CarbonellAwards.org.

2022 Carbonell Award Winners

Outstanding New Work, Play or Musical

“Papá Cuatro” by Juan Souki, Miami New Drama

Outstanding Production, Play 

“Intimate Apparel,” Palm Beach Dramaworks

Outstanding Direction, Play 

Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, “One in Two,” Island City Stage

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Play

Tom Hewitt, “I Hate Hamlet,” Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Play

Natalie Cordone, “I Hate Hamlet,” Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Play

Jonathan Nichols-Navarro, “The Cuban Vote,” Miami New Drama

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Play

Jeni Hacker, “The Actors,” Ronnie Larsen Presents

Outstanding Production, Musical 

“Beauty and the Beast,” Area Stage

Outstanding Direction, Musical 

Giancarlo Rodaz, “Beauty and the Beast,” Area Stage

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role, Musical

Elijah Word, “Kinky Boots,” Slow Burn Theatre Company

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, Musical

Mariaca Semprún, “Papá Cuatro,” Miami New Drama

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role, Musical

Imran Hylton, “Beauty and the Beast,” Area Stage

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role, Musical

Mallory Newbrough, “Matilda,” Slow Burn Theatre Company

Outstanding Music Direction

Rick Kaydas, “Beauty and the Beast,” Area Stage

Outstanding Choreography

Oren Korenblum, “Come Out! Come Out!,” Ronnie Larsen Presents

Outstanding Scenic Design, Play or Musical

Adam Koch, “A Wonderful World,” Miami New Drama

Outstanding Lighting Design, Play or Musical

Cory Pattak, “A Wonderful World,” Miami New Drama