THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406240131
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH: Medium
That's because the air conditioning at Wells Theater was on the blink.
{REST} ``The heat was horrendous. It was like performing and working in a sauna,'' said Jonathan Marten, a Norfolk actor who produced the June 13 event.
Because of the temperature, a full-length evening was cut in half. After awards were announced, most people fled to nearby watering holes, possibly reducing proceeds earmarked for three local AIDS charities.
``It was horrible,'' he said. ``I believe we lost $1,500 to $2,000'' that might have been earned through a cash bar and silent auction.
Marten said he hoped the city of Norfolk, which owns the Wells, would drop the $500 rental fee.
``That certainly is not an irrational request,'' said Scope publicist Cynthia Carter on Thursday. ``But I have not heard a word'' from anyone in relation to the project.
Carter said the air-conditioning system would either be repaired or replaced by September, perhaps earlier.
The ``Folies'' were begun by PortFolio theater critic Bob Arthur. The Actors Project, a regional coalition formed in early 1993, got involved this year.
The voting process was revamped, Marten said. The nominating committee was enlarged to about 30 theater types, including Actors Project members. At season's end, nominations were culled to five in each category.
Then a ballot was sent to 800-plus thespians, eligible to vote if they live here and have acted, directed or designed a show in Hampton Roads in the past three seasons.
``It was an experimental system, and it worked to a degree,'' said Marten, assessing the '94 awards. ``We just want to make it as fair and balanced as it can be, rather than have it be a popularity contest.''
The awards, he said, send out a message to the community: ``We're here, we're active, and we contribute something that's important.''
Little Theater of Virginia Beach did more sweeping than sweating: The community playhouse collected seven awards.
Five awards were for the troupe's January production of Israel Horovitz's ``Park Your Car In Harvard Yard.''
The dark comedy of revenge and revelation focuses on a grumpy, retired high school teacher. He hires a former student, who is still mad he flunked her, as his housekeeper.
In those roles, veteran area actors Bob Burchette and Anne Heywood landed the top actor and actress awards. LTVB Board President Tom Felton was named best director and scene designer for ``Park Your Car,'' which was named best play.
``We're very proud of that,'' said Felton. ``It's recognition by the theater community of the quality of work we're doing.''
LTVB also won for best costume design (Bobby Weaver and Jorja Jean, ``Twelfth Night'') and best supporting actress (Lisa Azimi, ``The Dining Room'').
Lifetime achievement awards went to 94-year-old Albert Dinkins, a leader in local black theater for 50 years, and to Bruno Koch, a longtime Christopher Newport University theater professor.
Other awards:
Best season: Bob Nelson, Generic Theater.
Best supporting actor: Ron Newman, ``Showboat,'' Commonwealth Musical Stage.
Musical direction: Gary Spell, Founders Inn Dinner Theater.
Choreography: Karen Bucheim, ``The King and I,'' Commonwealth Musical Stage.
Best actress and actor in a musical, and best musical: Andrea Mason and Bruce Evans in ``Cabaret,'' Trawler Dinner Theater, Exmore, Va.
Continuing Excellence in Theatrical Education: Michael Tick, Governor's Magnet School Theater Department.
Outstanding Contribution to the Theater Community: Shirley Hurd, an actress, director and publicist.
Best newcomer: Matt Caplan. by CNB