YOUNGSTOWN AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE AWARDS
NEWSROOM - last updated on 08/17/08
We would like to thank everyone who helped to make the "5th Annual Marquee Awards" one of our best ever.
"Ragtime -The Musical" Dominates Marquee Awards
A powerful musical about turn-of-the century New York, “Ragtime-The Musical,” dominated the 2007/2008 Marquee Awards which were handed out last night in a formal ceremony at the Saxon Club in Youngstown. Produced by Weathervane Community Playhouse in Akron, “Ragtime” pulled down almost every major award in the musical categories. Among those honors were awards for Sound Design(Dan Jankura), Musical Director(John Ebner), Director(Terry Burgler), Swing Performer(Henry C. Bishop), Supporting Actor(Greg Emannuelson), Lead Actor(Tom C. Barnes) and Best Musical. In all “Ragtime” walked away with 7 Marquees.
Their closest competitor was the Youngstown Playhouse with a total of 8 Marquees scattered over 4 shows. Playhouse wins were for Stage Manager(Joey Monda) for “Disney’s Beauty & the Beast,” Scenic Design(Jim Lybarger) for “Enchanted April,” Lighting Design(Ellen Licitra) for “Titanic-The Musical,” Featured Actress/Musical(Brandy Johanntges) for “Disney’s Beauty & the Beast,” Featured Actor/Musical(Shawn Lockaton) for “Titanic-The Musical,” Featured Actor/Play and Supporting Actor/Play, (Terry Shears and David El’Hatton) both for “A Few Good Men,” Supporting Actress/Musical(Johanntges) for “Titanic-The Musical.”
Other big winners were the New Castle Playhouse claiming 6 awards during the evening including a Special Award called the Excellence in Theatre Award, which was given to NCP in recognition of their 50th Anniversary season which is currently running. All other awards were spread over remaining theatres including Victorian Players, Top Hat Productions, Move Over Broadway Productions and the Oakland Center for the Arts.
George Orr of the New Castle Playhouse was also awarded the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his service to local theatre and the community. Awards Chairman, J.E.Ballantyne, Jr. said it was a very successful evening with the crowd in attendance being one of the largest in the five year existence of the Marquee Awards. Local media personnel made sporadic appearances during the evening as Guest Presenters to help YACTA celebrate their 5th Anniversary. Those Guest Presenters were: Scott Schneider(host), Whitney Ward and Rich Morgan of WKBN, Glenn Stevens of WFMJ, Susan DeLeo formerly of WFMJ, Carol King of WBBG 106.1, Len Rome, Stan Boney and Niki Weirich of WYTV.
YACTA T-SHIRTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The Youngstown Area Community Theatre Awards announced today that t-shirts are now available. After a slight glitch in getting them ordered last year, the shirts can now be ordered by calling 330-799-6176, or by sending a check or money order to YACTA, 4611 Deer Creek Court, Suite B5, Youngstown, Ohio 44515. Sample shirts were on display at the "4th Annual Marquee Awards." There are several different styles. The cost of the shirts is $15.00. Please include desired sizes.
2008 MARQUEE AWARDS DATE SET
The Board of Governors of the Marquee Awards Committee has announced the date and location for the 2008 Marquee Awards. The awards will remain at the Saxon Club on Meridian Road in Youngstown. They will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2008. They also announced that there is a slight price adjustment due to a rise of pricing at the Saxon Club. Although most pricing is the same with individual tickets being priced at $20.00 the table pricing will change slightly. The table price per table is $120.00 which breaks down to $15.00 per person at the table. That pricing, however, will only be in effect until August 1, 2008. After August 1st, all tickets, including tables, will be priced at $20.00.
Theatres are urged to keep this new pricing in mind and to plan on making their reservations early. The Board of Governors also announced that numerous policy changes have been made at the most recent committee meetings including an adjustment in the rating system which will lead to a larger change in that area next season.
FIFTH ANNUAL AWARDS PREPARATIONS ARE IN PROGRESS
Preparations are already underway for the "5th Annual Marquee Awards." The fifth anniversary of the awards is a major milestone. "Alot has to happen and happen correctly for us to get this far," says Marquee Awards Chairman, J.E.Ballantyne, Jr. Now that the awards are on the doorstep of that fifth event, the Committee is planning some "extras" for the upcoming awards to help celebrate the milestone. Although, little has been released, the Committee is putting out the call for anyone who is interested in presenting an award or in helping out on the awards, to notify the Marquee Awards office at 330-799-6176.
to Stage Library Event
The Youngstown Area Community Theatre Alliance, as part of their Marquee Awards Week, will present “All the World’s a Stage” for children up through the sixth grade on Tuesday and Thursday, August 12 and 14. The event on the 12th will be at 10am. at Poland Public Library and then again at Austintown Library on the 14th, also at 10am.
“All the World’s a Stage” consists of a readers theatre for kids. Marquee Award nominees, for this years awards will be on hand along with Rich Morgan of WKBN and Len Rome of WYTV to read from scripts designed for the designated age group. Among those scripts to be read is the title story “All the World’s a Stage” by Rebecca Piatt Davidson, which gives a basic intro to William Shakespeare and his writings. The story will introduce young readers to Shakespeare and explain through rhyme and pictures the type of plays that he is famous for. Other stories to be read are “The Legend of Slappy Hooper: An American Tale,” “The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale” and “The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland.” All of the stories, except for the title story, were written by Aaron Shepard.
Those reading besides Rich Morgan and Len Rome are well known local actors, Joey Monda, Dennis Villa, Molly Galano, John Pecano, Denise Sculli, Marilyn Higgins and Gary Deckant. For more information call YACTA at 330-799-6176.
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