VPA hands out season awards

Scrooge! takes top honors seven times

By CASEY RESSLER - Valley Life editor

During the 2002-2003 Valley Performing Arts' season, Scrooge! was one of the top productions. Last Sunday, it took home the most number of awards during VPA's annual awards banquet as a result.

Scrooge! took home seven of the 14 awards, including best production, best director, best actor and best supporting actor awards.

More than 2,000 patrons filled the Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre last December for Scrooge! and none were disappointed.

Director Jeff Babcock took the Christmas musical and adapted it the small stage, turning heads in the process.

His work was rewarded by the Valley Performing Arts Association members who voted him as the best director.

Also from Scrooge!, Dick Dossett took home the best actor award. The VPA veteran played Scrooge, and led an impressive cast in one of VPA's most successful production. Ed Ripley took best supporting actor for playing Ghost Of Christmas Present in the same play.

Even behind the curtain, Scrooge! dominated the VPA awards.

Best set design went to Dave Putnam, while best lighting design was awarded to Rod Mehrtens, both of Scrooge! Putting the production in costumes was Peggy Babcock, Lori Blohm and Mary Horman, and they shared the best costume design award as a result.

Janet Girard, another longtime Valley Performing Arts actress, took home the prestigious best actress award for her lead role in Catsplay. The best supporting actress award was given to Annie Nelson, for her work in the Murder After Hours whodunit.

From the same production, Danny Hanson took the best sound design award.

The annual VPA "Artistic Director's Award" was given to Tami Shelton for her years of contribution to VPA. This year, she played the vamp in Murder After Hours.

Three awards are voted on by the VPA board of directors. This year, they gave the "Board Appreciation" award to VPA's managing producer, John Fairfield. Elizabeth Hanson was the "Volunteer of the Year" award winner.

For his cross-dressing role in Charley's Aunt, Calvin Kenley took the "Newcomer of the Year" award.