It was a starry night on Feb. 12 at the New Depot Players' annual Linda Wise Awards at Jorge Flores' office. The local "Tony Awards" ceremony recognizes the standout theater performances and service of the year.
The indomitable Vince and Cyndi Evans were event emcees; and in between category presentations, guests were regaled with live performances. NDP's Solita Johnson, of "The Great American Trailer Park" fame, brought the house down with her rendition of "Home" from "The Wiz." Attendees were treated to delectable delights in the gallery-like space as well as the chance to score stellar raffle prizes.
One of the evening's big winners was "Doubt: A Parable" as Best Show, with lead Bobbie Elzey winning Performance of the Year. "Doubt" director Weldon Durham also won the Director's Award. "Little Shop of Horrors" was the NDP Favorite Show, with one of its leads, Lisa Whitmire, sharing Lead Actress in a Musical honors with "Red, White & Blue Christmas" Kim Fratesi. "The Red Velvet Cake War" won for Best Ensemble, and its lead, Amber McCullough won The Linda Wise Excellence in Theatre award for her body of work and dedication to local theatre.
Wise's husband Hank said, "She would have been so proud, both of the quality of the work represented in the room, and the fact that The Depot Players are more vibrant and have more new participants than ever."
Next up for NDP is "The Glass Menagerie" directed by Kelley Whitmire opening March 1.
The foll list of winners and awards are as follows:
Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical
Brandon Rose as Orin Scrivello D.D.S. in Little Shop of Horrors
Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical
Imari Hardon as Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors
Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play
Scott Mills as Newt Blaylock in The Red Velvet Cake War
Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play
Miranda Tamaska as Sister James in Doubt: A Parable
Best Overall Sound Design
Trini Otero for Red, White, & Blue Christmas
Best Overall Prop/Dressing Design
Ann Wildmon for Prop/Set Dressing for Little Shop of Horrors
Best Overall Costume Design
Bonnie Marshall for Costume Design for Red, White, & Blue Christmas
Best Overall Lighting Design
James Maloof for Lighting Design for Little Shop of Horrors
Best Overall Scenic Design
James Maloof for Set Design for Little Shop of Horrors
Best Performance by a Guest Artist in a NDP Event (TWO TROPHIES)
Kristel Wunderlin "When You’re Good to Mama" at the 4th Wise Awards
Olivia Adams as Tammy Wynette in A Honky Tonk Angels Fundraiser
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
Adam Sechelski as Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (TWO TROPHIES)
Kim Fratesi in Red, White, & Blue Christmas
Lisa Whitmire as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Alan Phelps as Father Brendan Flynn in Doubt: A Parable
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Bobbie Elzey as Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt: A Parable
NDP Staff Awards
Jay Tryall for Choreography for Little Shop of Horrors
Brittney Jaynes for Musical Direction for Red, White, & Blue Christmas
The Paula Vaughn Volunteer of the Year Award
Willa Kerr
The Victor Smith Achievement in Technical Theatre Award
James Maloof
The Judge Clarence R. Vaughn Theatre Appreciation Award
Cyndi Evans
The Cynthia M. Evans Theatre in the Community Award
Ron Carley
The Linda Wise Excellence in Theatre Award
Amber McCullough
NDP Favorite Male Performer
Alan Phelps for Doubt: A Parable
NDP Favorite Female Performer
Miranda Tamaska for Doubt: A Parable and Red, White, & Blue Christmas
NDP Favorite Director
Cathe Hall- Payne
NDP Favorite Show
Little Shop of Horrors
Best Performance by a Newcomer
Nat Martin as Halley Smoot in Tradin’ Paint
The Nancy Florman Director’s Award
Weldon Durham for Doubt: A Parable
Performance of the Year
Bobbie Elzey as Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt: A Parable
Best Ensemble
The Red Velvet Cake War
Best Show
Doubt: A Parable
