IT was the night of the musicals at this year's Actor Boy Awards at the Chaser's Café in St Andrew on Monday evening. The function recognises excellence in Jamaican theatre.

The evening's biggest winner was Father Richard Ho Lung's Acts of the Apostles with six awards. The epic musical, which was held for one weekend only inside the National Arena, took the Best Costume Design, Best Special Effects, Best Original Song — We Believe, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Musical.

Last Call, the musical by controversial producer and director Keirran King, made it to the winner's enclosure on three occasion's during scaled-down presentation ceremony.

King, who had lashed the awards organisers over its method of selecting winners, was a no-show. However, his production earned the awards for Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design and the night's 'biggy' — Best Production.

Two other productions nabbed three Actor Boys Awards each. God's Way, Dahlia Harris' foray into the world of gospel theatre, won Best New Play, Best Drama and Best Supporting Actor — Ainsley White. Charlie's Angels, produced by Jambiz International, went home with trophies for Best Comedy; Best Director — Trevor Nairne and Patrick Brown; and Best Lead Actor, Glen Campbell.

Veteran Deon Silvera was named Best Lead Actress for her work in Back-A Yaad, Nadean Rawlins received an Actor Boy Award for Where's My Father? and the Independent Actor's Movement nabbed the Best Children's Play for Anancy Chaptaz — Di Beginning.

The jury broke new ground with the introduction of a special award which was given to Owen 'Blacka' Ellis' one-man production UN.

"It challenged us to dare to pigeon-hole the concept of what constitutes a play and unerringly blended poetry, drama and stand-up comedy," said Tanya Batson-Savage, chief judge.

The School of Drama at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts was the recipient of the award for excellence in theatre.