VPA hands out season-ending awards

Frontiersman staff

"Fiddler on the Roof" earns best production honor

WASILLA — Valley Performing Arts honored its many volunteers and artists during the 25th anniversary annual meeting and 10th annual awards banquet June 17 at Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.

Ballots were submitted to the accounting firm of Fosselman and Weiland by season-ticket holders.

Taking top honors as the best production was the season-opening musical "Fiddler on the Roof." The production won a total of six awards, while "To Kill a Mockingbird" garnered four awards. Other award-winning shows in the season included "Gaslight," "The Imaginary Invalid" and "Heidi."

Besides best production, "Fiddler on the Roof" won awards for Grant Olson for direction, Tim Tucker for best actor, Ted Carney for best supporting actor, Jeff Babcock for sound and Genie Siedler and Linda Olson for best costumes.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" won technical awards for lighting (Steve Cuthbert) and best set (Dave Putnam). During his acceptance speech, Putnam thanked his scenic artist, Connie Lutz, for her significant contribution to the set. Winning top honors for acting were Cori Schleich, best actress, for her portrayal of Scout, and Rachel Underwood for best supporting actress for her portrayal of Miss Maude.

Board awards, voted upon by VPA board members, went to Putnam (Board Appreciation Award); Steve Cuthbert and Aurora Pease (Volunteers of the Year Award); Andrew Goodwin (Best Newcomer Award); and Rod Mehrtens (Artistic Director's Award).

Several fun awards were given to various artists. Winning the Slubberdegullion (villain) award was Janet Girard, for her portrayal of Fraulein Rottenmeier. The Fred Astaire Award, for valiant dancing in the face of two left feet, went to Brian Long. The Best Blooper Award went to Barry Perkins, for his various ad libs in "The Gossip." The Show Must Go On Award went to Sarah Hendricks, for stepping in for an injured Hillarie Putnam during the run of "Heidi." The Honorary Helen Hayes (there are no small parts) Award went to Kathleen Dougherty for her portrayal of Frumah-Sarah in "Fiddler on the Roof." And finally, the Uppity Woman Award, for which all three daughters from "Fiddler" were nominated, went to Catherine Sullivan for her portrayal of Chava.

Hosting this year's awards ceremony, fresh off a stint at the Fly By Night Club, was Tucker. Jeff Babcock provided touching and funny film clips. Cale Olson sang an Italian love song, Jeremiah Oliver played Debussy's "Clair de Lune" on the piano and Tina Larkin played a rousing fiddle number as part of the event's entertainment.

The annual meeting was conducted by Siedler, the VPA president. Along with Olson, Siedler gave the membership reports on the success of last season's productions.

Season tickets are on sale for next year. Plays scheduled for the 26th season of VPA are: "The Rivals," "Gigi," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Private Lives," "Bugsy Malone Jr.," and "The Real Thing." Tickets are available by calling the theater at 373-9500.