First it was the Oscars then the Emmys. Now Richmond has its own glitzy awards show -- The Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards.  

The group made up of critics from Richmond.com, Richmond Times-Dispatch and Style Weekly held its first annual awards presentation at Firehouse Theatre on Oct. 19. The awards celebrated excellence in local professional theater produced in the Richmond area during the 2007-2008 season.

Actress Jill Bari Steinberg hosted the event which featured a performance from each of the productions nominated for Best Musical. Along with the 18 awards presented during the evening, actress Dawn Westbrook announced the creation of the Liz Marks Memorial Award for Ongoing Contribution to Richmond Area Theater.

Marks, a well-known performer and talent scout in Richmond, passed away with breast cancer earlier this year. She was given the award posthumously. Proceeds from the black-tie event went to support the Theatre Artists Fund.

Listed below are the 2008 winners. The RTCC will hold next year’s celebration at The Empire Theatre on Oct. 18.

Best Musical 
"Urinetown"
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Best Direction of a Musical 
Tom Width
"Urinetown"
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Best Actor in a Musical 
Scott Wichmann
"Guys & Dolls"
Barksdale Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical 
Audra Honaker
"Once Upon A Mattress"
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Jason Marks
"Guys & Dolls"
Barksdale Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Debra Wagoner
"Urinetown"
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Best Musical Direction
Sandy Dacus
"Guys and Dolls"
Barksdale Theatre

Best Choreography
Brandon Becker
"Urinetown"
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Best Play
"The Late Henry Moss"
Firehouse Theatre Project

Best Direction of a Play
Bruce Miller
"The Little Dog Laughed"
Barksdale Theatre

Best Actor in a Play
Justin Dray
"The Late Henry Moss"
Firehouse Theatre Project

Best Actress in a Play
Irene Zeigler
"Doubt: A Parable"
Barksdale Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Stephen Ryan
"Richard II"
Richmond Shakespeare Company

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play
Jennie Meharg
"The Late Henry Moss"
Firehouse Theatre Project

Notable Interactive Production
"Richmond Improv Festival"
ComedySportz

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design
Joe Doran
"Urinetown"
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design
Rebecca Cairns
"As You Like It" (indoor)
Richmond Shakespeare Company

Outstanding Achievement in Set Design
Ron Keller
"Guys and Dolls"
Barksdale Theatre