QUICK TAKES - Oct. 20, 2009

Recognizing excellence in Los Angeles-area theater, the L.A. Stage Alliance announced its Ovation Award nominations for the 2008-09 season Monday evening. Leading the pack were El Portal Theatre’s revival of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” with eight nominations; Center Theatre Group’s “9 to 5: The Musical” with seven; and Martin McDonagh’s “A Skull in Connemara” at Theatre Tribe, also with seven.

The roster includes such celebrity nominees as Chris Pine (“Farragut North”) as well as Allison Janney and Dolly Parton (both for “9 to 5”).

For best production of a play at a large theater, the nominees are “Farragut North” at the Geffen Playhouse; “Lydia” at the Mark Taper Forum; “The Little Dog Laughed” at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; “The Rehearsal” at A Noise Within; and “Two Trains Running” at Ebony Repertory Theatre.

The full list of nominees is at www.lastagealliance.com.

-- David Ng