STARs Award nominees named
Eight O’Clock, Francis Wilson and West Coast among area theaters vying for awards
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE
| Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 |
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| Bill Harber, left, plays Mickey Fox and Tom Costello plays Harry Fox in the West Coast Players production of “45 Seconds from Broadway.” Harber was nominated for Favorite Actor in a Comedy. |
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| Rosalyn Savel and Leo Salerno star as two of the most eccentric characters, Rayleen and Charles, in West Coast Players’ production of “45 Seconds from Broadway.” Savel is in the running for Favorite Supporting Actress in a Comedy |
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| Austin Hammesfahr stars as Eugene Morris Jerome in the Francis Wilson Playhouse production of Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” Hammesfahr is nominated for Favorite Actor in a Comedy. |
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| Sadra Bostick stars as Fanny Brice and Trey Ryan as Nick Arnstein in the Eight O’Clock Theatre production of “Funny Girl.” Both Bostick and Ryan earned nominations on this year’s STARs Awards ballot. |
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| Janice Creneti as Leona in the West Coast Players production of Tennessee Williams’ “Small Craft Warnings.” Creneti is up for Favorite Actress in a Drama in this year’s STARs Awards. |
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LARGO - Nominees for the 2012 STARs Awards – formerly known as the Lary Awards – recently were announced in “The Theatre Grapevine,” a nonprofit news magazine serving the community theaters of Florida’s Suncoast.
The awards ceremony is Sunday, Sept. 30, at Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
“Hairspray,” presented by City Players Inc., earned 13 nominations this year, making it the most recognized production.
City Players started as a city-sponsored community theater program in Clearwater in 1972. City Players Inc. was established in 2005 as a not-for-profit entity. The troupe undertakes one major musical production each year. The production is presented at Ruth Eckerd Hall through cooperation of the city of Clearwater.
Other top contenders for awards this year include Tarpon Springs Performing Arts’ production of “Carousal,” which received 12 nominations; and St. Petersburg City Theatre’s production of “Hairspray,” which earned 10 nominations.
Three dramas – “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse; “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Theatre; and “Dancing at the Lughnasa,” West Coast Players – received seven nominations each. Two comedies – “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse; and “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Theatre – earned six nominations each.
Three theater companies tied for most nominations this year: Francis Wilson Playhouse, St. Petersburg City Theatre and Tarpon Springs Performing Arts each received 26 nominations.
Largo’s Eight O’Clock Theatre and Clearwater’s Francis Wilson Playhouse and West Coast Players are among the contenders vying for awards in several categories this year.
Eight O’Clock Theatre’s production of “Funny Girl” received five nominations. Eight O’Clock Theatre has been entertaining audiences since 1982. Productions are presented at Largo Community Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo.
Francis Wilson Playhouse’s production of “Bus Stop” was nominated for seven awards, including nods for Favorite Dramatic Production and Favorite Director. Francis Wilson Playhouse has been in operation since 1930. The theater is at 302 Seminole St., Clearwater.
Among the West Coast Players productions recognized this year, “Dancing at the Lughnasa” earned seven nominations. West Coast Players present shows at its theater, 21905 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater.
Subscribers of “The Theatre Grapevine” have cast votes based on the slate of nominees. Voting ended Aug. 30.
Cost to attend the award ceremony is $35 a person. Cost includes a social hour with hors d’oeuvres. There will be a cash bar. Reservations may be made through participating local theaters.
A list of this year’s nominees follows.
Favorite Actor – Musical
• Derek Baxter, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Trey Ryan, “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Gary L. Smith, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Jay Morgan, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Joell Ramsdell,” “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Actor – Drama
• Zackhary Myers, “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Steve Prevatt, “An Inspector Calls,” Gulfport Community Players
`• Mike Menszycki, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Players
• George Lynch, “The Return,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Rand Smith, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Actor – Comedy
• Trey Ryan, “Mister Roberts,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Austin Hammesfahr, “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Carlos Milan, “Breaking Legs,” Gulfport Community Players
• Cory Kramer, “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Mike Briggs, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Bill Harber, “45 Seconds From Broadway,” West Coast Players
Favorite Actress – Musical
• Kristy Carlson, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Sadra Bostick, “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Amy Dobbert, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Kerry Caraballo, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Brianna Filippelli, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Actress – Drama
• Leah Hamilton, “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Gianna Esposito, “The Constant Wife,” Gulfport Community Players
• Tiffany Faykus, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Players
• Madison Kosloski, “The Return,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Janice Creneti, “Small Craft Warnings,” West Coast Players
Favorite Actress – Comedy
• Lorrie Lykins, “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Eve O’Donnell, “Breaking Legs,” Gulfport Community Players
• Elaine Coffin, “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Trish Chaney, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Colleen Coughenour, “Becky’s New Car,” West Coast Players
Favorite Supporting Actor – Musical
• Karl Meinecke, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• John Timberlake, “Camelot,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Kurt Gawlick, “The Pajama Game,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Bill Myerholtz, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Adam Willard, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Supporting Actor – Drama
• Chris Carmichael, “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Ian Gonzalez-Muentener, “An Inspector Calls,” Gulfport Community Players
• Ron Zietz, “Catch Me If You Can,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Jamie Bierchen, “Dracula,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Rob Zietz, “Small Craft Warnings,” West Coast Players
Favorite Supporting Actor – Comedy
• Zackhary Myers, “Mister Roberts,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Michael Wogaman, “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Rudy Gonzalez, “Breaking Legs,” Gulfport Community Players
• Morton Hess, “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Players
• Bruce Miller, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Tom Costello, “Becky’s New Car,” West Coast Players
Favorite Supporting Actress – Musical
• Erin McCary, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Ronnie Farley, “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Kristen Rowell, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Latoya McCormick, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Madison Kosloski, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Supporting Actress – Drama
• Charlotte Taylor, “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Deborah Frethem, “The Constant Wife,” Gulfport Community Players
• Amanda Welch, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Amanda Welch, “Dracula,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Danea Barrett, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy
• Melissa Labiak, “Mister Roberts,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Trish Keating, “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Linda Rosenfeld, “The Curious Savage,” Gulfport Community Players
• Virginia Vogt, “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Janice Creneti, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Rosalyn Savel, “45 Seconds From Broadway,” West Coast Players
Favorite Director – Musical
• Russ Wendt, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Linda Weir, “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Jason Fortner, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Keven Renken, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Jamie Biechen, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Director – Drama
• Nicholas Rinaldi, “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Olga Kruse, “The Constant Wife,” Gulfport Community Players
• Keven Renken, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Victor Carr, “The Return,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Kate Gaudet, “Dancing at the Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Director – Comedy
• Jim Bennett, “Mister Roberts,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Nonie White, “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Eileen Navarro, “Breaking Legs,” Gulfport Community Players
• Jim Russell, “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Abbott Morgan, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Domenic Bisesti, “45 Seconds From Broadway,” West Coast Players
Favorite Musical Production
• “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Dramatic Production
• “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
* “An Inspector Calls,” Gulfport Community Players
* “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
* “Dracula,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
* “Dancing at the Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Comedy Production
• “Mister Roberts,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• “Breaking Legs,” Gulfport Community Players
• “See How They Run,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• “45 Seconds from Broadway,” West Coast Players
Favorite Choral/Orchestra Director
• Bill Cusick, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Emi Stefanov, “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Amy Phillips, “The Pajama Game,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Latoya McCormick, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Constantine Grame, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Choreographer
• Matt Sears, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Ronnie DeMarco, “Broadway’s Best,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Amy Phillips, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• James Grenelle, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Jane Geddings, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Set Design
• Warren Sodt, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Tom Hansen, “Camelot,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Nicholas Rinaldi, “Bus Stop,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Robert Colwell, “An Inspector Calls,” Gulfport Community Players
• David Middleton, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Rick Hite, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Kate Gaudet, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Costume Design
• Alicyn Weber, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Kathy Sutton, “Funny Girl,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Mitzi Mess, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Jacquie Padgett, “An Inspector Calls,” Gulfport Community Players
• Mitzi Mess, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Mickey Bronson, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Kate Gaudet, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Lighting Design
• Dalton Hamilton, “Broadway’s Best,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Andy Rufo, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Frank Hale, “An Inspector Calls,” Gulfport Community Players
• Spencer Lucas, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Mike Raysses, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Michael Arnold, “Dancing at Lughnasa,” West Coast Players
Favorite Back Stage Person
• Sandra Magnone, City Players Inc.
• Dalton Hamilton, Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Matthew Barnes, Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Jacquie Padgett, Gulfport Community Players
• Eileen Rea, St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Helene MacNeil, Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
• Jean Pellegrini, West Coast Players
Favorite Young Actor
• Grayson Samuels, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Troy Reamsnyder, “Camelot,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Michael Sporck, “42nd Street,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Trey Bailey, “Miracle on 34th Street,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Brendan Snyder, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
Favorite Young Actress
• Aliana Perez, “Hairspray,” City Players Inc.
• Emily Brown, “Camelot,” Eight O’Clock Theatre
• Michelle Chrien, “Annie,” Francis Wilson Playhouse
• Hannah Powell, “Hairspray,” St. Petersburg City Theatre
• Carli Kosloski, “Carousel,” Tarpon Springs Performing Arts
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Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012
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