Vero Beach Theatre Guild supporters partied at a Mystery on the Nile-themed Genie Awards presentation at the theater to celebrate three seasons’ worth of opening nights, the awards presentations having been put on hold the past couple of years. In true form, the thespians came attired in costumes befitting a cruise down the Nile – a nod to Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile,” which is scheduled to close out the upcoming Season 65 in May 2023.
And, although the awards ceremonies had been postponed, the Theatre Guild, which employed true “show must go on” dynamism, should be applauded for finding ways to forge ahead with performances despite the pandemic.
Guests milled about over drinks and light fare before the devoted casts, crews and volunteers were applauded for their parts in the production of quality local theater.
Before kicking off the program, Michael Naffziger, master of ceremonies and VBTG vice president, reflected on the impact that assisting with a high school production of “Guys and Dolls” at age 13 had on his life.
While his motives weren’t initially altruistic – basically a teen boy’s interest in girls – he said the impact of seeing “a group of human beings coming together to create something bigger than the individual” was profound.
“I felt wonderful because I was part of a community. Isn’t that what we are? We are a community theater, and we lift each other up. We fix sets for each other, and we put costumes on each other, and we comfort each other when we’ve messed up. We congratulate each other when we’ve done well and that, to me, is what makes this place and any community theater worth it,” said Naffziger.
The Genie Awards, named in honor of Eugene Davis, one of the Theatre Guild’s first resident directors, honor excellence in theater by recognizing the contributions of cast, crew and volunteers.
Season 62 productions included “Cats,” “A Bench in the Sun,” “Camelot,” “Always a Bridesmaid” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which prematurely closed after one week due to the pandemic. The Genie Awards for Outstanding Play went to “Always a Bridesmaid,” directed by Art Pingree; and Outstanding Musical to “Jesus Christ Superstar,” directed by Jon Putzke.
Reviewing that tumultuous year, Putzke, VBTG creative director, said, “Many volunteers connected on social media, uploading music and monologues, using Zoom to present scenes and even full-on productions while we were physically apart. We were connected by our love of theater until these doors could open again.”
Changes to the theater itself enabled them to fully reopen for Season 63, which brought to the stage “Over the Tavern,” “Almost, Maine,” “A Shot in the Dark,” “Sister Act” and “Moonlight & Magnolias.” The Genie Award for Outstanding Play went to “Moonlight & Magnolias,” directed by Pam Harbaugh.
Season 64 featured “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Dracula,” “Sleuth,” “Calendar Girls,” “I Do! I Do!” “See How They Run” and “Native Gardens.” The Genie Award for Outstanding Play was presented to “Native Gardens,” directed by Patti Hall.
Looking ahead, Season 65 promises to be equally spectacular with Mainstage productions of “Footloose,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Musical Chairs,” “Visiting Mr. Green,” “The Boy from Oz” and “Murder on the Nile.” Studio Theater productions will include “Art,” “Love, Loss & What I Wore,” “The Lifespan of a Fact” and “Equus.”
The Theatre Guild is the oldest community theater on the Treasure Coast and, since its founding in 1958, has continued to enrich, entertain and educate the community through theatrical arts.
For more information, visit verobeachtheatreguild.com.
Photos by Kaila Jones
