And the winner is… Valley Performing Arts laugh their way through their annual meeting and awards ceremony

WASILLA—The Valley Performing Arts Center gathered for its annual meeting and awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 6 to plan out the year and honor its ‘VPA Family’ during its own version of the Tony Awards, handing out plaques and even a “Milking Stool” for people on stage or behind the scenes.

“There are certainly worse things to be hooked on than theater,” said VPA board president, John Warner.

Mary Poppins, the landmark production seen at the Glenn Massay Theater won in every single category.

Chad Carpenter was the guest speaker and one of the event emcees. He took ample opportunity to shamelessly promote his two films, “Moose the Movie” and “Sudsy Slim Rides Again”, plugging those names as many times as he could.

Per usual Carpenter antics, he gave out free merchandise but with a twist. At one point he told everyone to look under their chair for their prize. One kid found an old banana peel and held it up.The designated peel was like a raffle ticket and promoted Carpenter to hand the kid a poster.

VPA members, season ticket holders), elected Paul Beer, Kevin Cochran, Hannah Cole and Nikki Hohnadel to the VPA Board of Directors during the meeting. They also selected the following season standouts with the Members’ Choice Awards: Best set design- Dj Rotach, Mary Poppins; Best lighting design- Kristen Clinkenbeard, Mary Poppins; Best sound design - Todd Broste, Mary Poppins; Best costume design - Mary Martushev, Mary Poppins; Best supporting actress - Kailee Gumley, “jane banks’, Mary Poppins; Best supporting actor - Jamison Gumley, “Michael banks”, Mary Poppins; Best actor - Mathew Holman, “Bert”, Mary Poppins; Best actress - Heather sawyer, “Mary Poppins”, Mary Poppins; Best director - Larry Bottjen, Mary Poppins; Best production - Mary Poppins

VPA’s board of directors honored the following dedicated volunteers: Volunteer of the year- Gary Feaster; Best newcomer of the year- Jamison Gumley and Kailee Gumley; Board appreciation: Mark Lee, Evangelo and Diana Lambernakis; Artistic director’s award: Pam Burlingame.

The Milking Stool Award went to Angel Husher-Rodriguez for her brilliant performance as “Mrs. Brill” in Mary Poppins.

Although Mary Poppins stole the show, the other plays and people involved with VPA were highlighted and celebrated throughout the evening. The crowd was pleasantly and rapidly disruptive. Those at the mic or in the crowd cracked countless jokes that evening, everyone always laughing along. One of the room’s favorite source of outbursts came from Cynthia Lee who squawked and hollered the whole night, bringing people to tears as they held their sides laughing.

Several VPA members took turns handing out awards and when it came time for Lee’s turn, she dealt a healthy dose of sarcasm pointed directly at the thunder-stealing production: Mary Poppins.

“Let’s just see who isn’t winning!” Lee said as she read through the nominees.

As she went through people’s names from other productions she would colorfully say things like, "oh too bad” or “I’m sure you gave it your all” and the crowd erupted with laughter, perhaps at the loudest of the night.