Photo by Shamus Pons
Covington’s Playmaker’s Theatre recently closed out its 2008-2009 season with the annual Alvin Awards, which were presented in many categories. Named after Alvin Bertel, these cherished awards are Playmaker Theatre’s version of the Oscars. Bertel donated the land and the dairy barn where the theatre is currently located. The big winners were “Mousetrap” and the versatile actor John Carambat.
Outgoing president Randy Perkins expertly hosted the gala that began with theatre patrons dining on Chef Ronnie Pogue’s award-winning Cajun jambalaya, Italian salad and garlic bread, and a specially designed cake from Zoe’s Bakery. Playmaker’s Theatre 2008-2009 season featured “Lost in Yonkers”, “Mousetrap”, “Proof”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, and “Pippin”.
Director Kay Files accepted the Alvin Award for Best Show as the director of “Mousetrap”. Ladson Poole won Best Actor for “Mousetrap”. Krista Schafer won Best Actress for “Proof”. Robert Jahncke won Best Supporting Actor for “Arsenic and Old Lace”. Barbara Chitwood won the Alvin Award for Best Supporting Actress for “Lost in Yonkers”.
Randy Perkins won the award for Sound for “Mousetrap”. Mike Sibley won the award for Lighting for “Mousetrap”. Kay Files won the award for Costumes for “Mousetrap”. John Carambat won awards for Best Set for “Mousetrap” and for Best Poster for “Mousetrap”.
Special Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Judy Krogsgard, Russell Krogsgard, Ray Perer, Donna Heier, Betty Lancaster, and Ronnie Pogue for the “devotion to Playmaker’s Theatre and the arts in St. Tammany Parish.
David McDonnell, Judy and Russell Krogsgard, Kate Zenon, and Carrie Helm provided the entertainment for the award’s evening.
The theatre also had its annual Board of Directors elections. Those elected to the board were Elizabeth Williams, Ronnie Pogue, Melanie Aymami, Frank Levy, Randy Perkins, and Ellen O’Connell. They will join Board of Directors members Mac Maginnis, Jeanette Ketry, Lynn Perkins, Kay Files, Donna Heier, Kenneth Faherty, Mark Leonard, Joy Thompson, and Ken Richard.
Playmakers, Inc. was organized in 1955 as a non-profit, volunteer amateur theatre. The theatre has continued to produce four or more plays each year since its beginnings despite many setbacks, including the loss of the old theater by fire in 1976. It is one of the oldest such theatres in the United States. Its highly ambitious slate for the 2009-2010 season features: “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (September 11-17, directed by Mark Leonard); “On Golden Pond” (Nov. 6-22, directed by Frank Levy); “Sylvia” (March 5-21, directed by Kay Files); “Over the River and Through the Woods” (May 7-23, directed by Anne Pourciau); and the smash Broadway musical “Cats” (July 9-25, directed by Lynn and Randy Perkins).
Director Mark Leonard’s cast for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” includes Kenneth Faherty, Paula Leffman, Phillip Lawrence, and Alicia Hanley. Auditions for Playmaker’s production of “On Golden Pond” will be on September 13th and 14th starting at 7 p.m. at the theatre. If you want more information on Playmaker’s Theatre or want to purchase a season ticket please call 985-893-1671.
The start of school also means that local theatres are gearing up for their slate of shows. Slidell Little Theatre will have its gala champagne opening of the Neil Simon comedy “Rumors” on Friday, October 9th at the theatre located on Nellie Drive. For more information please call 985-641-0324 or 985-643-0556.
Luke’s Brisket & Broadway is bringing back “Mid-Life The Crisis Musical” with performances on September 18,19,20,25,26,27. The two Sunday performances on the 20th and 27th will be Luke’s first “Show Only Sundays”. There will be no dinner, and the admission for these is only $20.00. The impressive cast includes Sara Pagones, Jim Pagones, Irene Gosey, Lisa Meredith, Bill Saussaye, John Perkins, and Rickie Luke. Karen Hoyt is the musical director. To make a reservation, please call 985-781-6565.
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