Actors, actresses, directors and all the other important roles in theater productions across New Hampshire came together at the Capitol Center for the Arts on Saturday for the 15th annual N.H. Theatre Awards.
The best and brightest on stage performers, performances and behind–the– scenes folks were honored in a night that featured short recreations from production companies around the state, special awards and from what we heard, one killer after party.
Hatbox Theatre founder Andrew Pinard earned the Vision and Tenacity Award, while a tribute to Van McLeod, the commissioner of the N.H. Department of Cultural Resources, was paid during the memorial portion of the show.
And as for how the local theater companies fared, well the Community Players of Concord didn’t win any awards, but were well represented with four finalists spots, indicating a top three in the voting.
Once On This Island, which also was one of six performances on the night, was a finalist for best production in the community musical category.
Bryan Halperin was a finalist for best director in a community musical for leading Once On This Island.
Jen Sassak earned a top three spot for best choreographer in a community production for her work on Once On This Island.
Clint Close was a finalist for best sound designer in a community production, also for Once On This Island.
We sure are bummed we didn’t check out the Once On This Island production when it was on its three–show run in November.
Jagger Reep with RB Productions was a finalist for best youth actor for his portrayal of Buddy in Elf, the Musical Jr.
And former Insider editor Keith Testa’s wife, Emily Jaworski, was a finalist for best actress in a community musical as Abby in The Musical of Musicals – The Musical! with Little Church Theater.
And in case you were wondering about all those other awards, well even though all of the other theater companies fall outside of the Concord borders, we figured you might want to know all the details – so here they are.
Congratulations to all those honored, and keep up the good work.
Community
Best production – drama/comedy: Equus, M&D Productions
Best production – musical: The Musical of Musicals – The Musical!, Little Church Theater
Best production – youth: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best director – drama/ comedy: Dennis O’Neil – Equus, M&D Productions
Best director – musical: Keith Weirich – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best actor – drama/ comedy: Eric Berry– Sandelin as Alan Strang – Equus, M&D Productions
Best actor – musical: Peter Gair as Mr. Boddy – Clue, the Musical, Colonel Town Players
Best actor – youth: Jack Harding as Romeo – Romeo and Juliet, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best actress – drama/ comedy: Barbara Webb as Mother, Caroline, Peggy, Old Lady, Meg, Ruth – The Dining Room, Jean’s Playhouse
Best actress – musical: Seraphim D’Andrea as Audrey – Little Shop of Horrors, Genesys Theater
Best actress – youth: Lillie Ellars as Ariel – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best supporting actor – drama/comedy: Ray Dudley as Big Daddy – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best supporting actor – musical: Eric Skoglund as Farquaad – Shrek, Amherst PTA
Best supporting actor – youth: Alexander Nick as Scuttle – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best supporting actress – drama/comedy: Mary Bastoni–Rebmann as Dora Strang – Equus, M&D Productions
Best supporting actress – musical: Jenn Langhus as Lily Craven – The Secret Garden, North Country Community Theatre
Best supporting actress – youth: Gabriella Silva as Ursula – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best music director: Henry Kopczynskie III – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best choreographer: Valerie Psoinos Nelson – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best costume designer: Alex Homola & Maggie Mahony – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best scenic designer: Matt Cahoon – Raining Aluminum, theatre KAPOW
Best sound designer: Rich Loomer – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Best lighting designer: Norm St. Germain & Keith Weirich – Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Peacock Players
Professional
Best production – drama/comedy: The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best production – musical: Cabaret, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best director – drama/ comedy: Neil Pankhurst – The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best director – musical: Clayton Phillips – Cabaret, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best actor – drama/ comedy: Anderson Matthews as Dr. Hercule Molineaux – The Ladies Man, Peterborough Players
Best actor – musical: Clyde Voce as the King – The King And I, Weathervane Theatre Players
Best actress – drama/ comedy: Carolyn Kirsch as Old Camille – The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best actress – musical: Georgia Kate Haege as Anna – The King And I, Weathervane Theatre Players
Best supporting actor – drama/comedy: David Breitbarth as Etienne – The Ladies Man, Peterborough Players
Best supporting actor – musical: Dwayne Washington as Lun Tha – The King And I, Weathervane Theatre Players
Best supporting actress – drama/comedy: Kelley Davies as Young Camille – The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best supporting actress – musical: Hannah Rose Guillory as The Dragon – Shrek, New London Barn Playhouse
Best music director: Danny Bernstein – Brigadoon, New London Barn Playhouse
Best choreographer: Bryan Knowlton – Cabaret, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best costume designer: Lori McGinley – The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best scenic designer: James Morgan – Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Peterborough Players
Best sound designer: Neil Pankhurst – The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Best lighting designer: Thom Beaulieu – The Waltz, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse