Mercury and Cinnabar Theaters Win NorBay Awards
The Marquee Theater Journalists Association honored local productions at a ceremony held in Santa Rosa.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Arts Theater — General
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The Marquee Theater Journalists Association and the North Bay Bohemian presented the annual NorBay Theater Awards. Local theaters Mercury and Cinnabar were recognized for their recent stage productions.
Why it matters
The ceremony celebrates the artistic contributions of regional theater companies. It highlights the work of performers and designers who brought diverse productions to local stages throughout the year.
Cinnabar Theater secured 14 nominations, while Mercury Theater received 5 total nominations. Specific productions also saw recognition, with The Secret Garden earning 5 nominations and The Christians receiving 3.
The players
Andrew Patton
He is an actor who received the best lead performance in a drama award for his role in The Christians.
April George
She is a stage designer who won the lighting design award for her work on The Secret Garden.
Kevin Bordi
He is an actor who won the lead performance in a comedy award for his role in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.
Marquee Theater Journalists Association
This organization represents professionals who review and document theater productions in the region.
North Bay Bohemian
This publication serves as a primary source for local news and arts coverage in the North Bay area.
The details
Award winners included Andrew Patton for his lead performance in The Christians and Kevin Bordi for his comedy performance in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. April George received the lighting design award for her contribution to The Secret Garden, with productions frequently occurring at Sonoma State University.
Timeline
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui ran in October 2025.
The Christians was presented at Sonoma State University in April 2026.
The Secret Garden was presented at Sonoma State University in June 2026.
The NorBay Theater Awards ceremony occurred on October 18, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The NorBay Theater Awards serve as a vital marker for artistic health within the local performing arts sector. By recognizing specific talent, the event helps solidify the reputations of regional theaters against broader commercial entertainment alternatives.
These awards provide patrons with a curated list of high-quality local productions to support. Audiences looking for critically acclaimed live performances can prioritize these winning theaters and artists for upcoming seasons.
The takeaway
Recognizing regional theater talent highlights the importance of local investment in the performing arts. Residents can engage with the local culture by attending upcoming shows hosted by these awarded theaters.
Further reading
Discover more winners and local performance updates in the Arts Theater section.
More information
View the complete list of nominations and wins for this year’s ceremony.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petaluma Argus-Courier.
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