June 21, 2008

 

Saturday Night, June 21st, Little Theatre on the Bay held its 60^th Annual Masque Awards ceremony at the Sawmill Events Center in North Bend.   The room was filled to its capacity.   The Masque Awards were held to celebrate the completion of the 2007--2008 Season.   The season featured three outstanding plays plus Little Ole Opry, Country Christmas, and Little Ole Big Band. 

Theresa Erskine, Vice President of LTOB and Chairman of the Masque Awards Ceremonies opened the evening with some appropriate remarks.  Next, she introduced Ken Erskine who reported on the first 60 years of  LTOB by reading from a letter from Connie Meinke Moe, the last remaining founding member of LTOB.  At the evening's ceremony was Wally Kimmel, a former member of LTOB from about 1960 to about 1982 who related about the move into the Liberty Theater, the current home of LTOB and how the present condition of the premises was like a dream come true from the vision of 1960.  President Jason Denton explained the planned renovations to the theater which represent the present dream of LTOB for the next 20 to 40 years.

Ed Martin, a long time member of LTOB, took over the podium as Master of Ceremonies and re-introduced Theresa Erskine who presented the “Newcomer Award”, given to a first-time actor or actress in an LTOB production.  The winner was Pam de Jong who portrayed Louise Segar in the fall production of  "Always... Patsy Cline".

Next on the agenda were the comedy team of Jill Hanson, DVM, and Joe Stoffel, both regular members of the hilarious Little Ole Opry Comedy team.  They performed several hilarious skits which greatly entertained the audience.

The cameo award was presented by Ed Martin, last year's winner for his performance in The Mikado.  This year, the Cameo award was split between Bill Movius as Postmaster Hawkins in "Damn Yankees" and Jeff Cragun who was the Man from the Audience in "Always... Patsy Cline.

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 winner,  Mindy Freeman.  The award was presented to Alyssa Birrer for her outstanding portrayal as Gloria Thorpe in "Damn Yankees".

After the foregoing awards, the program was turned over to Casie Justice who offered an explanation of the upcoming production of "Misery.  She made some suggestions, without giving away the story, how the play differs from the famous movie which featured Kathie Bates and Jams Caan.

The Best Supporting Actress was presented by Tim Novotny and was given to Pam de Jong for her portrayal of Louise Segar in "Always... Patsy Cline".  Anna Weidemille then presented the Best Supporting Actor Award to Alexander Rich who played Joe Hardy in the winter production of "Damn Yankees". 

Jason Denton, President of LTOB, then awarded the 2007 Little Theatre on the Bay Love Award.  The Love Award is recognition of service to LTOB by the Board of Directors, this year being presented to Luanne May.  Ms. May was not at the ceremony, and her award was accepted by her son, Trevor Edd.

Neville Cordell and Kerry Oxford announced much of their plans for the winter musical, "The King & I".  Their presentation concluded with the singing of "Getting to Know You", sung by Alyssa Byrrer.

Byrell Justice presented “The Ralph Moe Best Director Award”.  The award went to Don Williston for "Always... Patsy Cline".  Alan Spjut explained his upcoming Spring production of "The Nerd".  It will begin May 1, 2009.

Alexander Rich, last year's Best Actor, presented the Best Performance by an Actress to Doris Smith for her role as Patsy Cline in "Always... Patsy Cline".  Josie Reid then presented the Best Actor Award to Byrell Justice as Mr. Applegate in "Damn Yankees". 

Josie Reid then presented a song from the upcoming Little Ole Opry on the Bay.  Josie is the current Director of Little Ole Opry, having completed her 12th season last year.  She was accompanied by Dave Ford on the guitar.

Steve Simpkins and the Little Ole Big Band provided another entertainment, once again showing LTOB’s broad spectrum of entertainments.  The ensemble included not only Mr. Simpkins on Trombone but also Trevor Edd on Drums, Dustin Dillon and Judy Snyder playing Woodwinds, Steve Krajcir and his Trumpet, Linda Sweatt on the Piano, and Ted Terry and his Tuba.

“The Ed Publicover Technical Achievement” award was presented by Jeff Cragun.  The award is given annually by the Board of Directors, with this year's presentation to George Gizienski, not only for his lighting effects in "Always... Patsy Cline" but also for his body of work at LTOB, including last year's Opry and "The Mikado" as well as with Peter Donaldson's "Salmonpeople".

Jeanne Woods then presented the LTOB Man of the Year award to Jeff Cragun.  This being Mr. Cragun's third award, his name will be added t the plaque in the LTOB lobby, thus "retiring" the award.  Don Williston presented the LTOB Woman of the Year award to Janice Kendall.  The next award of the evening was the Robert Yantis Community Service Award, presented by Dorothea Yantis, widow of Robert Yantis and Treasurer of LTOB.  The award went to The Black Market Gourmet.  Mrs. Yantis, assisted by President Jason Denton, presented awards to Ken Erskine and Don Williston in recognition of their many years of valuable service on the LTOB Board of Directors.

The evening concluded with dancing until ?

 

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