UCI Drama Wins at 2025 Orange Curtain Review Awards
Annie Loui and cast of La Belle et la Bête
La Belle et la Bête earns Best College Show alongside 9 to 5’s Best Young Actor honor
UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Drama received top honors at the 2025 Orange Curtain Review Awards, with La Belle et la Bête named Best College Show and actor Drew Downs recognized as Best Young Actor for his performance as Franklin Hart Jr. in 9 to 5: The Musical.
Adapted for the stage by professor of acting Annie Loui, La Belle et la Bête reimagined Gabrielle Suzanne Villeneuve’s 18th-century fairytale through movement, dialogue, and music in the distinctive style of CounterBalance Theater. The production featured performances by Zoe Rose Davidson as Gabrielle/Belle and Heriberto Cruz Jr. as Crébillon/Beast, alongside a talented ensemble of UCI Drama students including Esther Pielstick, Kurt Kanazawa, Malu Pizzatto, Jake Stiel, Anina Baker and Sophia Gilbert and understudies Aaron Gomez and Connor Sheehan.
“It was such a wonderful surprise, and a real joy to see La Belle et la Bête recognized,” said Loui. “We were nominated in several categories, including Best New Play and Best Script, which was especially meaningful to me. The experience of creating new work with such open, committed students was incredibly rewarding; it truly was a pleasure from start to finish.”
UCI Arts 2024-25 musical 9 to 5, directed by head of music theatre, Professor Myrona DeLaney, features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, brought humor, empowerment, and camaraderie to the stage. The story follows three female coworkers who unite to transform their workplace, delivering a jubilant score and a timely message of resilience and solidarity.
Founded in 2014 by UCI alumna Alina Mae Wilson and critic Patrick Chavis, the Orange Curtain Review spotlights exceptional theater across Orange County, celebrating the region’s vibrant and diverse performing arts community.
Image: Annie Loui holding the Orange Curtain Review award. Photo by Emily Zheng.
Read the full list of awardees on the Orange Curtain Review website here. To learn more about the Department of Drama, visit drama.arts.uci.edu.