Saturday
Night, June 19th , Little Theatre on the Bay held its annual award
ceremony at the Timber Inn in Coos Bay. The room was filled
to its capacity. The Masque Awards were held to celebrate the
completion of the 2003—2004 Season. The season featured three
musicals, which made it one of the most ambitious in the 57 years
LTOB has been entertaining theater goers on the South Coast.
Ceremonies
were “MC'd” by Jim Thornton, who played “Gladhands” in the winter
musical, “West Side Story”. Getting the evening off to
an amusing start, Mr. Thornton conducted himself as MC in a style
quite reminiscent of the Gladhands character.
Leading
off the awards was the presentation of the “Newcomer Award”, given
to a first-time actor or actress in an LTOB production, presented
by Ron Nance, the ever-popular MC for LTOB's annual “Little Ole Opry
on the Bay”. Ron won the award last year when he played Constable
Warren in “Our Town”. The recipient of this year's award was
Bryann Weckmann. Mr. Weckmann is now stationed with the U.S.
Forest Service in Puerto Rico and was represented by his sister Regina
Berry and her son, Chase.
Don
Williston presented the second award, the Cameo Award. The
cameo award was presented to 3 exceptional dancers, Amy Wood, Zia
Burris and Nick Peregrino for their opening ballet in “Once Upon a
Mattress
The
third award, the Juvenile Award, is presented annually to an actor
under the age of 18. The presenter this year was last year's
recipient, Sara Simpkins. The winner was Anya Tyson as “Anybodys”
in “West Side Story”.
The
fourth award was the community service award, presented by Jason Denton,
president of LTOB. This year's award winner was Wegferd's Printing.
A stunned and delighted Edi Wegfahrt accepted the award.
After
the foregoing awards, the program was turned over to the On Broadway
Theater who entertained the audience with a musical number from its
new production of "Meshuggah Nuns: The Ecumenical Nunsense!"
which will be opening June 25 th .
The
Best Supporting Actress was presented by Don
Moulton , who won the Best Supporting Actor award
last year. Sara Simpkins in her portrayal of Rosalia
in “West Side Story” was the winner.
Theresa
Erskine presented the Best Supporting Actor Award. At last
year's Masque Awards, Theresa was Best Supporting Actress for her
performance in “Our Town”. The winner this year was Jesus Torres
as Bernardo in “West Side Story”.
The
Love Award, periodically given to that person or persons who has demonstrated
love for the theater, was presented by Dorothea Yantis, longtime Director
and Treasurer of LTOB. Ken Erskine won the award for his continuing
efforts on behalf of the theater. Mrs. Yantis also presented
The Ralph Moe Best Director Award. The winners were Ken Erskine
and Don Williston for “Man of LaMancha".
Mike
Campbell was then introduced. Mike and his wife, Mel Campbell
are co-directing “Dearly Departed”, a comedy by David Bottrell and
Jessie Jones. “Dearly Departed” opens September 24 th for three
weekends at LTOB. Several members from the audience came forward
and read selected scenes to the delight of the audience.
Jason
Denton, last year's Best Actor presented the Best Actress Award to
Joanne MacMillan who portrayed “Fred” in “Once Upon a Mattress”.
Deana Spence presented the Best Actor award to Donovan Werts for his
part as Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote in “Man of LaMancha”.
Ms MacMillan will be in "Meshuggah Nuns: The Ecumenical
Nunsense!" at the On Broadway Theatre, directed by Mr. Werts.
The
Ed Publicover Technical Achievement award was presented to Steve Simpkins
for his putting together and directing the fine orchestras for “Man
of LaMancha” and “West Side Story”.
Josie
Reid was awarded Woman of the Year for the third time, which will
mean that her name is to be added to the Plaque in the Lobby of the
Theater for retiring the Award. Don Williston was awarded Man
of the Year.
The
final presentation of the evening was by Mr. Ed Martin. Mr.
Martin was a long time friend and fellow actor in many memorable performances
with the late George Markel. Friends of Mr. Markel held a benefit
last January, the proceeds to be given to the several theaters in
Coos County, including LTOB as an award in the name of Mr. Markel.
The LTOB Board matched the funds and the award was presented
as a scholarship to Sara Simpkins who will be studying theater commencing
this fall at Oklahoma City University.
The
evening concluded with dancing until ?
