The vote is in: Here's the best of local stage

Tommy Awards salute the best of the Richey Suncoast Theatre.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Arts and Entertainment
Published September 10, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Richey Suncoast Theatre had a rare dead heat in the balloting for top male performance in a musical in its annual "Tommy Awards" competition, the theater's version of Broadway's Tony Awards.

In the favorite actor in a musical category in the 2006-2007 season, Jim Poe and Chip Wichmanowski received an equal number of votes, said Charlie Skelton, president of the theater board.

Poe's award came for his portrayal of the milkman Tevye in the poignant musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Wichmanowski's was for his role as the rascally professor Harold Hill in The Music Man.

The Music Man won seven of the 14 categories in which awards were given, including favorite show. The comedy Lend Me a Tenor won the most in the play division, with five awards, including one for director Saul Leibner.

The musical Anything Goes picked up two awards, including favorite actress in a musical for Liz Onley as the sassy Reno Sweeney.

Marie Skelton was the only double winner for the evening. She was voted best director of a musical for The Music Man, and best choreographer for the toe-tapping, high-kicking Anything Goes.

The fifth show in the season, the comedy-drama Auntie Mame, received no awards.

The awards are named for 1920s movie star Thomas Meighan, who once lived in New Port Richey and after whom the theater was originally named.

Tommy awards

And the winners are ...

Favorite show: The Music ManFavorite director of a play: Saul Leibner,Lend Me a Tenor

Favorite director of a musical: Marie Skelton,The Music Man

Favorite actor in a musical: (tie) Jim Poe, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof;Chip Wichmanowski,professor Harold Hillin The Music Man

Favorite actress in a musical: Liz Onley as Reno Sweeney in Anything GoesFavorite actor in a comedy: Bill Schommer as Tito Merelli inLend Me a Tenor

Favorite actress in a comedy: Genevieve Griffin as Maggie Saunders inLend Me a Tenor

Favorite supporting actor in a musical: Rich Aront as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man

Favorite supporting actress in a musical: Diane Ramos as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn inThe Music Man

Favorite supporting actor in a comedy: Bob Marcela as Max inLend Me a Tenor

Favorite supporting actress in a comedy: Ann Lakey as Maria Merelli in Lend Me a Tenor

Favorite costume design: Chris Craig for The Music Man

Favorite choreographer: Marie Skelton forAnything Goes

Favorite music director: Stella Gaukhshteyn and Steve Ailing for The Music Man

[Last modified September 10, 2007, 01:28:49]