New Hampshire’s theatre community takes a
turn on the red carpet
Despite a snowstorm earlier in the day that left
downtown’s roads and sidewalks a slushy, ice-glazed mess, the
show went on at the Palace Theatre for the New Hampshire Theatre
Awards.
And on and on.
The gala started 30 minutes late and clocked in at
just under four hours. Although the show was filled with technical
errors and rambling speeches by both presenters and winners, the joy
was palpable as New Hampshire’s small but talented theatre
community came together to congratulate itself. The genuine surprise
and enthusiasm of many of the winners made the marathon production
bearable.
The awards consisted of the usual categories:
technical, acting, directing and best show. Each category included
sub-categories of professional and community productions. Awards
were given for both drama and musical productions. The “Matty
Award,” named for NHTA creator Matt Gregg, was designated for an
individual in the theatre community who demonstrates vision and
tenacity; this year’s recipient was Sara Brown, who created
“Play Among the Stars,” a theatre program for
developmentally disabled kids and adults.
The Awards also gave us the “Granite
Star” competition, New Hampshire’s answer to
“American Idol.” In each category, two actors went head to
head performing a brief musical or dramatic piece. The audience then
voted, and the winner was announced at the end of the night. Although
it seems a good idea in theory, especially with the audience
participation, this section was unnecessary considering that there were
already dozens of awards being handed out, and it extended the already
great length of the show. Still, Kathy Bouchard, who won the Granite
Star in the “Over 18 Musical Performer” category, was
fantastic.
Local favorite William Hartery, who grew up in
Manchester, took home two awards: Best Supporting Actor in a
professional production for his role in Seacoast Repertory’s
“Chicago: The Musical,” and Best Actor in a community
production for his work in the New Thalian Players’
“Oliver.”
“Saturday Night Live” (and Derryfield
High School) alum Sara Silverman served as a surprise presenter at the
awards. Her mother, Beth Ann O’Hara, received a Lifetime
Achievement Award. O’Hara founded the New Thalian Players as part
of Notre Dame College in 1983. Many of the evening’s winners
personally thanked O’Hara for her influence in their lives.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Ernest Thompson
(“On Golden Pond”) made a 20-minute speech—and he
wasn’t accepting an award. A guest host and presenter, Thompson
told the story of his life as a writer before handing out the Matty
Award. Most of his speech was smart and funny, but it did drag down the
show, and several musical numbers and skits had to be cut.
Proving that there is quality theatre north of
Concord, North Country Center for the Arts Papermill Theatre was the
big winner of the night, taking home eight awards for its production of
Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance.” The
Village Players, a community theatre based in Wolfeboro, took home an
award for Best Show for its production of “The Hound of the
Baskervilles.”
It was also a big night for Nashua’s theatre
troupes. Actorsingers’ “Ragtime” took home several
technical awards for its ambitious staging and lighting design, as well
as a Best Show award and a Best Actress award for Barbara Lawler.
Actorsingers performed the opening number of the show and received a
standing ovation. Yellow Taxi Productions also received a Best Show
award, for their first attempt at a musical, with “The Last 5
Years.” Artistic Director Suzanne Dell was left speechless at the
win.
The Peacock Players, a Nashua-based
children’s’ theatre company, also enjoyed the spotlight;
many of its young actors were up for awards, including Lindsay Devino,
who won a Granite Star award and a Best Actress statue for her work in
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” New
Hampshire theatre veteran Scott Severance won a Best Director award for
that show as well.
Emcee Billy Butler, last year’s Best Actor,
consistently brought the funny and tried his best to keep the show
moving along. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much cooperation in
that department.
When the show concluded at 11:55 p.m., a dazed
audience stumbled out of the theatre, only to slip and slide along icy
sidewalks to their cars. At least now we know why the Oscars are held
in California.
—Michelle Saturley
