‘Steel’ and ‘Superstar’ top Cacique awards

“Steel” took the Most Outstanding Set Design (Jackie Hinkson), the Most Outstanding Script (Derek Walcott, naturally), the Most Outstanding Choreography (Noble Douglas), Most Outstanding Actor (Albert Laveau, stricken with laryngitis that night)and Most Outstanding Musical Production.

“Jesus Christ Superstar walked away with the Most Outstanding Lighting Design (Benny Gomes, the Most Outstanding Set Design (Treldon Thompson, the Most Outstanding Costume Design(Sean Edwards, the Most Outstanding Supporting Actor (Marlon De Bique — as Judas) and the Most Outstanding Production, presented to the Bagasse Company for Jesus Christ Superstar by President Maxwell Richards in person. Most Outstanding Actress, Most Outstanding Director and Most Outstanding Dramatic Production Awards went to (respectively) Cecilia Salazar, Mervyn de Goeas and Lagniappe Productions for “Doubt.”

Pat Bishop was awarded her Cacique for “Orpheus and Eurydice,” PattiAnne Ali got the Most Outstanding Supporting Actress Award in “The Odd Couple, Female Version,” and Tete-a-Tete Theatre was judged the Most Outstanding Comedic Production for “Five Foolish Friends in Shh . . . it is Carnival.”

3 Canal gave a rousing start to the show with “Take it off!” ordering the audience to turn off their cell-phones, Mairoon Ali and Clifford Learmond enlivened the proceedings with a cross-talk act (scripted by Christine Johnson and Eric Barry) between the ritual reading out of nominees, who won and mercifully brief acceptance speeches, mainly because most of the recipients were out of the country, were sick, or, for one reason or another, couldn’t make it to the awards ceremony.

However, Errol Fabien was on hand to receive his Vanguard Award from former First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali, Olliva Williams of Jamaica was there to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Deputy Mayor of Port-of-Spain Rishi Lakhan.

Brief excerpts from “The Brand New Lucky Diamond Horseshoe Club,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Blue” an ode lamenting HIV AIDs and a spectacular number from “Orpheus and Eurydice” gave patrons their money’s worth before the vote of thanks and Cacique president Davlin Thomas’ invitation to a reception in the lobby after 3 Canals’ closing number “Together.”