Recent Off Broadway productions of the musical “Once” and the play “Sons of the Prophet” won top honors on Sunday night at the presentation of the 27th annual Lucille Lortel Awards, which recognize excellence at medium-size and small New York theaters. “Once,” about a friendship that turns to love between a Dublin guitarist and a Czech pianist, won for outstanding musical, choreography (Steven Hoggett), and lighting design (Natasha Katz, who tied in the category with David Weiner for “Through A Glass Darkly”).  The awards recognized last winter’s production of “Once” at New York Theater Workshop; the musical transferred to Broadway in February and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards last week, the most of any show.  “Sons of the Prophet,” written by Stephen Karam and mounted last year by Roundabout Theater Company, won Lortel awards for outstanding play and for its lead actor, Santino Fontana, who played a young gay man confronting an onslaught of family, health, career, and spiritual quandaries.  The lead actress award went to Sanaa Lathan for Second Stage’s production of “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark,” a satire about black actors in Hollywood during the 20th century, written by Lynn Nottage; the production also won for costume design by ESosa. “The Cherry Orchard” (Classic Stage Company) won for outstanding revival, and “An Iliad” (New York Theater Workshop) won for solo show. The other awards were for outstanding director to Sam Gold for “The Big Meal,” featured actor for Adam Driver in “Look Back in Anger,” featured actress for Tonya Pinkins in “Milk Like Sugar,” set design to Lauren Helpern for “4000 Miles” and sound design to Matt Tierney and Ben Williams for “The Select (The Sun Also Rises).”
The musical "Once" and the play "Sons of the Prophet" won top awards for shows at small and medium-size theaters. "Once" was honored for its Off Broadway run last winter; it has since moved to Broadway and led the Tony Awards nominations last week.