Marquees honor Cultural Park Theatre’s best
Cultural Park Theatre cast members, patrons and staff are still basking in the euphoria two weeks after the annual Marquee Awards banquet.
“We saluted everyone on stage and behind the scenes,” said Michael Moran, who won Marquees for Best Original Musical Revue for the Christmas Spectacular production and Best Set Design for Peter Pan the Musical. “We also thanked all of our sponsors and volunteers, members and actors.”
About 180 people attended the banquet at which 27 Marquees were handed out. One of the top awards, Best Play or Comedy went to A Little Murder never Hurt Anybody; Best Lead Actor went to David Rode for his role of Elwood Dowd in Harvey; Best Lead Actress went to Gerrie Benzing for her playing of Veta in Harvey; and Best Musical went to Guys & Dolls.
Josephine DiMichele and Laurie Strum were named the Volunteers of the Year.
Members were still buzzing at Tuesday’s annual general membership meeting where a new board of directors was elected and the two graduating high school student scholarship winners were named.
All but one of the seven board members elected at the meeting were seeking second terms unopposed. The new president for 2014-15 is Bobbi Frasca; first vice president Roy St. Onge; second vice president June Koc; third vice president Christi Wengerter; treasurer Lisa Maglione-Chenault; corresponding secretary Sherylyn Price; and newcomer Adam Culliton as recording secretary.
The board oversees the running of the theater for the year including the lineup of plays for the season.
Roman Mina of Canterbury received a $500 scholarship and Noelle Aparte of North Fort Myers received a $250 scholarship.
Marquee Awards
Best Musical Direction: Gerrie Benzing (Peter Pan)
Best Original Musical Revue: Michael Moran (Christmas Spectacular)
Best Play or Comedy: A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody (Jennifer Davis)
Best Actress in Musical Juvenile: Noelle Aparte (Peter, Peter Pan the Musical)
Best Actress in a Musical: Diana Ascher (Sarah Brown, Guys and Dolls)
Best Actor in a Musical: Tyler Omundsen (Mr. Darling/Hook, Peter Pan the Musical)
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical: Louis Monaco (Smee, Peter Pan the Musical)
Featured Actor in a Musical: Chris Lamon (Joey Builtmore, Guys and Dolls)
Featured Actress in a Musical Juvenile: Sage Myers (Nana, Peter Pan the Musical)
Featured Actress in a Musical: Diane Hembling (Mrs. Darling, Peter Pan the Musical)
Featured Actor in a Musical Juvenile: Jacob Ertter (John, Peter Pan the Musical)
Best Choreographer Musical: Bobbi Frasca (Guys and Dolls)
Best Lighting Design: Tyler Omundsen (Peter Pan the Musical)
Best Set Design: Michael Moran (Peter Pan the Musical)
Featured Soloist in a Musical Revue: Lisa Mannan (Christmas Spectacular)
Best Costume Design: Sherylyn Price (Peter Pan the Musical)
Best Lead Actor in a Play: David Rode (Elwood Dowd, Harvey)
Best Lead Actress in a Play: Gerrie Benzing (Veta, Harvey)
Best Supporting Actor in a Play: Bob Fliss (Uncle Chris, I Remember Mama)
Best Supporting Actor in a Play Juvenile: Michael Chase (Frank, Cheaper by the Dozen)
Best Supporting Actress in a Play: Christi Wengerter (Aunt Jenny, I Remember Mama)
Best Featured Actress in a Play Juvenile: Sara Byce (Anne, Cheaper by the Dozen)
Best Featured Actor in a Play Juvenile: Rush Ejdys (Nets, I Remember Mama)
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Jerry Olin (Buttram, A Little Murcer Never Hurt Anybody)
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Stacey Staufer (Bunny Perry, A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody)
Best Musical Direction in a Musical: Tyler Omundsen (Smokey Joe’s Cafe)
Best Musical: Guys and Dolls
Recognition Awards
Volunteer of the Year: Josephine DiMichele and Laurie Strum
Volunteer Recognition: 2013-14 Board of Directors (Bobbi Frasca, Roy St. Onge, Marydale Sclafani, Christi Wengerter, Sherylyn Price, Lisa Maglione-Chenault, June Koc, Lee Otto, Anna Grilli, Adam Culliton)
Special Achievement: Tyler Young (Fundraising Chair); Culliton Gunterberg Foundation (Grand Sponsors of the Year); Young’s Electrical & RDS Drywall (Marquee Award Sponsors)