(GLENDALE, CA)— Renal Support Network (RSN) has landed five Ovation Award nominations for its groundbreaking production of “Who Lives?,” a play that explores the 1960’s anonymous citizens committee that determined the life-or-death fate of kidney patients applying for dialysis.

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles and are the "...highest-profile contest for local theatre..." according to the Los Angeles Times.

RSN is the only non-theatre entity to receive Ovation nominations this year, and one of a handful of producers to receive five or more nominations, placing RSN alongside major companies as The Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, Ebony Repertory Theatre, A Noise Within and the Open Fist Theatre Company.

RSN’s five nominations for “Who Lives?” were: Lead Actor in a Play, Matt Gottlieb; Costume Design - Intimate Theatre, Catherine Glover; Lighting Design - Intimate Theatre, Jeremy Pivnick; Scenic Design - Intimate Theatre, Will Pellegrini and Sound Design - Intimate Theatre, Jeffrey Porter.

“We are very humbled to be in such great company,” said Lori Hartwell, Founder and President of RSN and a kidney disease survivor since 1968. “I wanted to tell the story of the birth of modern medical ethics and the relationship to the 1960’s ‘life-or-death dialysis committees’ to the public. To share fellow patients’ history is a passion and a privilege. Our cast and crew obviously shared that vision, and I am delighted for each of our nominees.”

According to LA Stage Alliance, the Ovation Awards present an opportunity for the theatre community to join together and focus public attention on Los Angeles’ rich and lively performing arts scene. Another goal of the program is to draw national attention to the quality and quantity of professional theatre in Los Angeles.

Voters are L.A. theatre professionals chosen each season by the Ovation Awards Review Committee (through an application process). The list of award nominees is determined by a tabulation of scores conducted by the entertainment accounting firm Green, Hasson & Janks, LLP.

The Ovation Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, January 11, 2010, at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, home of the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. The curtain will go up at 7:30 pm. More info on the ceremony can be found at www.LAStageBlog.com/ovation-awards.

View an interview with play producer and costume designer

ABOUT RSN:

Renal Support Network (RSN) is a nonprofit, patient-focused, patient-run organization that provides non-medical services to those affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). RSN strives to help patients develop their personal coping skills, special talents, and employability by educating and empowering them (and their family members) to take control of the course and management of the disease. A vital role of RSN is to provide lawmakers and policymakers with the patients’ perspective on the needs and capabilities of people with CKD.