Saturday
Night, June 18th, Little Theatre on the Bay held its 57 th Annual Masque
Awards ceremony in the Salmon Room of the Mill Casino in North Bend. The
room was filled to its capacity. The Masque Awards were held to celebrate
the completion of the 2004—2005 Season. The season featured three
outstanding plays Little Ole Opry and Country Christmas, with the addition
of Little Ole Big Band to the repertory.
Theresa Erskine, Vice President of LTOB and Chairman of the Masque Awards
Ceremonies began the evening by introducing Josie Kuehn as the Mistress
of Ceremonies. Getting the evening off to an amusing start, Ms. Kuehn
conducted herself as her character “Lucille" from the production
of Dearly Departed , which she so hilariously played last fall.
Kicking off the evening were the Opry Dancers, led by Jenn West and Jessica
Maupin and featuring Erin Campbell, Kallie Chavarin, Stephanie Sackett
and Ty Whitley. The dancers showed why they always energize Little Ole
Opry on the Bay , to the delight of audiences throughout July and early
August.
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 Regina Berry . Last year, Regina 's brother, Bryann Weckmann won the
award for portraying the “Padre” in Man of La Mancha , Mr.
Weckmann is now stationed with the U.S. Forest Service in Puerto. The
winner of the award was Randy Hines for his outstanding work in Biloxi
Blues .
The cameo award was presented by two of last year's winners, Amy Wood
and Nick Peregrino . Deana Spence won the award for her outstanding characterization
of “Miss Stacy” in Anne of Green Gables ,.
The third award, the Juvenile Award, is presented annually to an actor
under the age of 18. The presenter this year was Jeff Cragun. The winners
were Maddy Ober and Mindy Freeman for their joint portrayal as “Diana
Berry” in Anne of Green Gables .
The fourth award was the community service award, presented by Jason Denton,
president of LTOB. The LTOB Board of Directors, in secret session,
renamed the Community Service Award to be evermore known as the “Bob
and Dorothea Yantis Community Service Award”. Bob Yantis was involved
in LTOB for many years, and his widow, Dorothea, continues the service
as Treasurer of LTOB already serving about 30 years. This year's award
winner was “Young's Southbound Sound and Music”, Greg and
Patti Young, owners, for many years of continuing support of LTOB.
After the foregoing awards, the program was turned over to the “On
Broadway Theater” which presented two selected scenes from its upcoming
production of Charlotte's Web , Larry Pierce and Joe Vos , Co-directors.
Showdates : August 5 to August 28. The audience was also reminded that
We the People will open June 24 th and that “Waterfront Players”
premieres Lobby Hero the same night. The “Bandon Playhouse”
production of Born Yesterday opened yesterday (Friday, June 17 th ).
The Best Supporting Actress was presented by Jesus Torres, last year's
winner from West Side Story . Joyce Kemp as “Marguerite” in
Dearly Departed was the winner. Sara Simpkins presented the Best Supporting
Actor Award. At last year's Masque Awards, Sara was Best Supporting Actress
for her performance in West Side Story . The winner this year was Bo Justice
as “Arnold Epstein” in Biloxi Blues .
The Love Award, periodically given to that person, or persons, who has
demonstrated love for the theater, was presented by Dorothea Yantis. Dr.
Jill Hanson, won the award for her continuing efforts as comedy director
of “Opry” for most of the years that “Opry” has
existed, now entering its 24 th season. Sara Simpkins then presented “Not
for the Life of Me” from the new musical of Thoroughly Modern Millie
.
Ken Erskine, co-director of Man of LaMancha , presented “The Ralph
Moe Best Director Award”. The award was shared by Mel and Mike Campbell
for last fall's production of Dearly Departed .
Donovan Werts , last year's Best Actor announced the Best Actress Award
to Alice Carlson for her portrayal of “ Raynell ” in Dearly
Departed . Joanne MacMillan , last year's Best Actress, presented the
Best Actor award to Josh Jennings as “Eugene Morris Jerome”
in Biloxi Blues .
“The Ed Publicover Technical Achievement” award was presented
by Ken Erskine to Josie Reid for her efforts in set design and construction.
Joanne MacMillan was awarded Woman of the Year and Jeff Cragun was awarded
Man of the Year. The final awarding of the evening was presented by Luanne
May, a scholarship to Nick Peregrino who will be persuing studies in dance.
The evening concluded with dancing until ? |
