On the powerful pipes of Mama Rose, one of the most beloved shows in the history of musical theater, “Gypsy” took home a baker’s dozen of Genies at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s biggest night of the season – the Genie Awards, held last Saturday in the very place where all the magic happens, the theater on San Juan Avenue, its home since 1985.
Helmed by Director Jon Putzke, “Gypsy” scored Genies for: Best Show; Leading Actress in a Musical – Eleanor Dixon; Supporting Actor in a Musical – Derrick Edmundson; Supporting Actress in a Musical – Dahlia Davis; Character Actor and Actress in a Musical – Art Haeberle and Leslie Christoffel; Actress in Secondary Role, Musical – Claire Collier; Cameo Actor and Actress – Neil McKenzie and Karren Walter; Male and Female Vocalist – Jerry Reichert and Eleanor Dixon; Outstanding Juvenile – Claire Collier; and Outstanding Female Newcomer – Dahlia Davis.
It was the first time in decades that the awards show was held at the theater itself, particularly fitting as the Guild launches its next big expansion project, The East Wing. Additionally, the 2014-15 season has been heralded as the “best ever”, both artistically and at the box office.
Under the direction of the Genie Steering Committee, Leslie Christoffel, Joy Wild and Michelle and Roger Wagner, joined by a passel of volunteers, the evening was full to overflowing with glitz, glamor and food. Outside, tempting edibles and bars were set up on teal-clad tables under forest-green tents.
Inside, the narrow hallways were decked with color and sparkle and starred some of the season’s most eye-popping costumes. With blue lighting, striking murals, an intimate bar and a fabulous pianist, the Green Room wowed in its role as a Jazz Age night club, while the main stage was elegantly reminiscent of 54 Below, Broadway’s Supper Club.
The crowd clearly illustrated why theater people from Broadway to community call themselves family. The Guild has long been considered a star among community theatres in the region, with a wide range of ages, backgrounds and theatre experience all brought together with a shared passion for the theater.
The clothing choices are always especially fun to see at theater events, and so it was this night. The women rocked with imagination, from Debbie Chastain’s elegant, floor-length gown, to Shannon Jami Dolan’s long colorful fringed velvet opera coat and Leslie Christoffel’s sexy aqua gown and feathered headdress, to Tori Foster’s fabulous, kick-bootie red heels.
The awards show itself would easily have won a “Best Awards Show” Genie, (were there such). Chosen for the pivotal role of Awards Ceremony emcee was talented and engaging Jake Corvino, who would have made Neal Patrick Harris proud. Corvino had wowed audiences as Koko in last summer’s production of “The Mikado” and, dressed as Koko, opened with a song from the show, replacing the original lyrics with witty new Genie-appropriate ones.
Throughout the evening, in a tux but still wearing the fan-shaped Mikado wig, Corvino’s running gag was lamenting the fact that his show, like all summer productions, was not eligible to compete for a Genie. From comments on and off stage, it appeared that situation might be changing.
The Genie Award’s big opening number gave the Tony Awards a run for its money. Straight from this season’s other fabulous musical, “Sweet Charity,” it was a laugh-till-your-face-hurts rendition of one of the show’s production numbers, “Big Spender.” That would have been fabulous enough, but the cast’s Fandango Girls, who appeared in a video intro, were replaced live by 11 of the season’s male actors dressed in full, hilarious, dance hall chippy drag. And the crowd went wild.
Between award presentations, the endlessly adorable Kelly Brown Clemenzi reprised her big “Sweet Charity” number, “If My Friends Could See Me Now.” With top hat, cane, great legs and a gift for engaging the audience, Clemenzi was able to channel Shirley McLane and give the number her own kick. Later, double-Genie winner Eleanor Dixon brought the audience to its feet with the show-stopping “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy, which was right up there with Merman.
With an enthusiastic audience, comic routines by the presenters, several inside jokes, and one “This envelope is EMPTY” mini-emergency, the evening was fast-paced, entertaining and filled with the kind of mutual love only found among “crazy theater folk.”
Mark Wygonik, long time, mega-multi-talented Guild stalwart, was stepping down as his third consecutive year as president comes to a close. With laugher and some tears, Wygonik gave a heartfelt talk, saying thank-you and goodbye (“but I’ll be around”) and receiving a huge ovation.
The non-Gypsy awards were split among “Sweet Charity,” and the plays “You Can’t Take It With You,” “No Sex, Please, We’re British,” and “Whose Wives Are These Anyway?”
Lead Actor in a Play, tie – Larry Strauss and Jason Avery; Lead Actress, Play, tie – Kara Henson and Shannon Jami Dolan; Leading Actor, Musical – Doolin Dalton. Other award winners included Bill Lembeck, Isabelle Garrett, Tom Dolan, Lorina Beniamino, Jim Daly, Alexis Riley, Walter Wells IV and Jon Thompson.
Special Awards: Joe Paldi Award – Jim LaPorte; Steve Stahl President’s Choice Award – the late Dave Panula; Jim Hindert Award – Phyllis Rock; Bette Parfet Music Award – Jennifer Patty; Jacobus-Seibert-Hazen Award – Larry Strauss; Special Appreciation Award – Dennis Love; Offstage Genies – Mary Ann Panque and Joy Wild; Backstage Awards – Cynthia and Bert Logan; and The Show Must Go On – Nick Keeler.