by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the theatre awards for two of North Florida’s community theatres who honored their many volunteers. Theatre Jacksonville and Players by the Sea are models of how to run a successful community theatre that any organization in the country could follow to be successful. Executive Directors, Sarah Boone at TJ, and Joe Schwarz at Players, know the value of good volunteers, as well as how to treat and appreciate them, since they are the lifeblood of both these fine theatrical programs.
Theatre Jacksonville‘s awards for its 87th season last Friday were not only to honor volunteers, but it was also their annual membership meeting. Toni Phillips was installed as incoming president, along with three new board members. Theatre Jacksonville had an eleven percent increase in memberships last year and sales for the next season are up ten percent at this point. After paying all their bills, TJ finished up with $20,000 to start the new year. The Theatre Jacksonville website has a list of all the award winners including all those essential behind-the-scenes people.
The outstanding performance winners:
JUVENILE ACTOR - Rudy Pazinski (Over The Tavern)
SUPPORTING ACTOR - Brad Throwbridge (Leading Ladies)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Sandra Spurney (Much To Do About Nothing)
LEADING ACTOR - Josh Waller (Leading Ladies)
LEADING ACTRESS - Tracy Olin (Leading Ladies)
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE CAST - Enchanted April
The evening finished up with award-winning food provided by Anthony’s Gourmet Catering and a lot of socializing. This is always a fun event that I look forward to each August.
On Saturday, it was out to Jacksonville Beach to Players by the Sea Pelican Awards climaxing its 41st season. There is no business but show business at the Players event, hosted by Lee Hamby and Josh Waller, with Staci Cobb as Miss Pelican.(No, she did not wear a bird suit!) Players went all out and presented 31 awards, with all the nominees honored by being listed in the eight page event program. There was even a very special surprise as an award for yours truly and Entertaining U for our coverage of last season. Please accept a humble thank you, Players, and thanks for giving us great things to write about. Players by the Sea’s outstanding website, maintained by Anthony Hodge, has a complete listing of all winners, along with photos by Redgie Gutshall.
Since Players has two theatres (the mainstage and the studio), I will list the best actor awards for both.
SUPPORTING ACTOR STUDIO - Dustin Whitehead (Visiting Mr. Green)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS STUDIO - Tracy Olin (Suburbia)
SUPPORTING ACTOR MAINSTAGE - Bill Ratliff (Bat Boy, The Musical)
ACTOR MAINSTAGE - Josh Waller (Bat Boy)
ACTRESS MAINSTAGE - Miranda Lawson (Bat Boy)
MUSICAL THEATRE MALE - Lee Hamby (Bat Boy)
MUSICAL THEATRE FEMALE- Debi Tyre (Pirates Of Penzance)
ENSEMBLE CAST STUDIO - Suburbia
ENSEMBLE CAST MAINSTAGE - Bat Boy, The Musical
The evening finished, like Theatre Jacksonville’s, with food and drink in the lobby and lots of hugs and theatre talk. The five restaurants that donated the outstanding food included Carrabas, Sequino’s, Sliders Seafood Grill, Mackenzies Steak House and Mezza Luna. What a great weekend. It is good to know theatre is alive and well in Jacksonville and these two outstanding community theatres have exciting seasons planned for 2007-2008.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
