Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance will live stream annual NEPTA Awards on June 7
From a press release:
While the coronavirus pandemic continues to prevent new shows from being staged across the area, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance will still host its 23rd annual NEPTA Awards for last year’s productions.
The NEPTA Awards is usually held as an elegant dress-up event in the spring that highlights and honors the best of the best in community theatre the previous year. The categories mirror those of the Tony Awards, including Best Actor and Actress in a Comedy, Drama, and Musical. Other awards include Supporting Actors, Child Actors, Directors, Technical Work and, of course, awards for Best Comedy, Best Drama, and Best Musical.
Members of the NEPTA nonprofit organization include Actors Circle in Scranton, the Actors Guild of Schuylkill County in Schuylkill Haven, Center Stage Theatre in Tamaqua, Diva Productions in Scranton, Drama in Motion Performance Works Factory Theatre in Nuremberg, the Endless Mountains Theatre Company in New Milford, the Gaslight Theatre Company in Wilkes-Barre, the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, the Music Box Dinner Playhouse in Swoyersville, the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts in Hazleton, Theatrical Gems in Cresco, and the Worthington Players at the Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on Delaware.
A banquet was set to be held at the Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale, but due to COVID-19, the event will instead be live streamed on the Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance Facebook group and on NEPTA’s new YouTube channel on Sunday, June 7 at 7 p.m.
Award recipients will be announced live and nominees will be present to accept, just like at the regular awards show. Trophies will be given to the recipients as soon as possible once businesses reopen.
The broadcast will be available to view publicly, with no ticket purchase required. Donations in lieu of the ticket price are gladly accepted and will help to cover the cost of the awards. Any extra donations will go toward the NEPTA Scholarship Fund for a graduating senior pursuing the performing arts or technical theater in college. A link to donate will also be available.
2020 NEPTA Award nominees for 2019 productions
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Eric Lutz (Spike, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”) – Diva
Lee Alucci (John Barrymore, “I Hate Hamlet”) – DMPW
Tim Solarek (Gary Lefkowicz, “I Hate Hamlet”) – DMPW
Tim Solarek (Stanley Jerome, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”) – PTPA
Luke Swierczek (Eddie Brock, “Born Yesterday”) – Worthington
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Marcie Herman Riebe (Suzanne Turpin, “Dearly Departed”) – Actors Circle
Joelle Witner (Felicia Dantine, “I Hate Hamlet”) – DMPW
Taylor Rupp (Molly Aster, “Peter and the Starcatcher”) – LTWB
Jessica Schafer (Nora Morton, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”) – PTPA
Kerri-leigh Taylor (Dr. Dubel, “Confessions of a Dirty Blonde”) – Worthington
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Ben Steltz (Gabe, “Next to Normal”) – Gaslight
David Giordano (Adolfo Pirelli, “Sweeney Todd”) – Music Box
Christopher Pavlick (John Dickinson, “1776”) – PTPA
David Arzberger (William Barfee, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) – Theatrical Gems
Mike Wawrzynek (Steven Kodaly, “She Loves Me”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Jessica Bickel (Zinnia Wormwood, “Matilda”) – DMPW
Kimberly Johnson (Emma Carew, “Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Katie Owens (Amy, “Company”) – Music Box
Angela LaRose (Diana Morales, “A Chorus Line”) – PTPA
Eyanna Gruver (Ilona Ritter, “She Loves Me”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
Anthony Kurdilla (Gerry Evans, “Dancing at Lughnasa”) – AGOSC
Bob Balitski (Chaz McClusky, “Mona Lisa and the Cross”) – Diva
Mark Zdancewicz (Harold, “Orphans”) – Diva
Tim McDermott (Little Charlie, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Mark Zdancewicz (Charlie, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
April Holgate (Mrs. Montague, “The Haunting of Hill House”) – Actors Circle
Regina Yeager Drouse (Jenny Crestwood, “Mona Lisa and the Cross”) – Diva
Phyllis Colombo (Mrs. Carpenter, “Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Avenger”) – DMPW
Kim Veruggio (Mattie Fae, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Kimmie Leff (Ivy, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Best Lead Actor in a Comedy
David Hunisch (Prof. Henry Higgins, “Pygmalion”) – Actors Circle
Bob Balitski (Vanya, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”) – Diva
Chris Pavlick (Andrew Rally, “I Hate Hamlet”) – DMPW
CJ Snyder (Eugene Jerome, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”) – PTPA
John Beppler (Jimmy/Chad/Man, “Almost, Maine”) – PTPA
Best Lead Actress in a Comedy
Emma Ross (Eliza Doolittle, “Pygmalion”) – Actors Circle
Susan Parrick (Sonia, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”) – Diva
Jessica Schafer (Dierdre McDavey, “I Hate Hamlet”) – DMPW
Alicia Nordstrom (Glory/Waitress/Rhonda, “Almost, Maine”) – PTPA
Angel Berlane Mulcahy (Blanche Morton, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”) – PTPA
Best Lead Actor in a Musical
Dane Bower (Dan, “Next to Normal”) – Gaslight
Scott Vinnacombe (Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, “Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Mike Wawrzynek (Bobby, “Company”) – Music Box
Ben Steltz (Montague “Monty” Navarro, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) – Music Box
Adam Randis (John Adams, “1776”) – PTPA
Best Lead Actress in a Musical
Claire Brassard (Audrey, “Little Shop of Horrors”) – Center Stage
Alice Y. Lyons (Diana, “Next to Normal”) – Gaslight
Lauren Timek (Belle, “Beauty and the Beast”) – LTWB
Ashley Bohn (Dorothy Gale, “The Wizard of Oz”) – Music Box
Kristen Long (Amalia Balash, “She Loves Me”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Lead Actor in a Drama
Scott Rave (Mitch Albom, “Tuesdays with Morrie”) – Actors Circle
Christopher Alu (Phillip, “Orphans”) – Diva
Sam Falbo (Treat, “Orphans”) – Diva
John Schugard (Sherlock Holmes, “Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Avenger”) – DMPW
Mike Little (Bill, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Best Lead Actress in a Drama
Marnie Azzarelli (Susy Hendrix, “Wait Until Dark”) – Actors Circle
Patricia McAvoy (Marie Lombardi, “Lombardi”) – Actors Circle
Maddie Giardina (Mona Lisa, “Mona Lisa and the Cross”) – Diva
Jennifer McClinton-Temple (Violet, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Lydia Traill (Barbara, “August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Best Youth Actor (12 and under)
Cody Scholl (Olaf, “Frozen Jr.”) – DMPW
Zachary Schultz (Chip, “Beauty and the Beast”) – LTWB
Max Reynolds (Winthrop Paroo, “The Music Man”) – Music Box
JJ Pavlick (Pugsley Addams, “The Addams Family”) – PTPA
JJ Pavlick (Les Jacobs, “Newsies”) – PTPA
Best Youth Actress (12 and under)
Gloria Lisowski (Jemima Potts, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.”) – AGOSC
Brooklyn Surotchak (Peter Pan, “Peter Pan Jr.”) – Center Stage
Sage Huff (Small Anna, “Frozen Jr.”) – DMPW
Lauren Maula (Colin Craven, “The Secret Garden”) – Theatrical Gems
Amanda Lombardo (Jasmine, “Aladdin Jr.”) – Worthington
Best Teen Actor (13-18)
Andrew Surotchak (Seymour, “Little Shop of Horrors”) – Center Stage
Liam Huff (Bobby Strong, “Urinetown”) – DMPW
John Toussaint (The Narrator (el Gallo), “The Fantasticks”) – Music Box
DJ Elliot (Jack Kelly, “Newsies”) – PTPA
Ethan Flanagan (Arpad Laszlo, “She Loves Me”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Teen Actress (13-18)
Milana Daiute (Matilda Wormwood, “Matilda”) – DMPW
Jadyn Culp (Dorothy Gale, “The Wizard of Oz”) – DMPW
Mabel Vough (Mary Lennox, “The Secret Garden”) – Theatrical Gems
Michaela Raub (Marcy Park, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) – Theatrical Gems
Antoinette Flores (Tracy Turnblad, “Hairspray Jr.”) – Worthington
Best Music Director
Jennifer Hunter (“Next to Normal”) – Gaslight Theater Company
Jennifer Hunter (“Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Jennifer Hunter (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) – Music Box
Jennifer Hunter (“Sweeney Todd”) – Music Box
Hollie Major Baker (“Company”) – Music Box
Best Choreographer
Jamie Burns (“Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Michael Marone and Marikate Sullivan (“The Happy Elf”) – Music Box
Samantha Schugardt (“Newsies”) – PTPA
Samantha Schugardt (“A Chorus Line”) – PTPA
Joseph Ambrosia and Brandon Hanks (“The Secret Garden”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Sound Design
Mike Little (“Next to Normal”) – Gaslight
Mike Little (“August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Bernard Mulcahy (“Peter and the Starcatcher”) – LTWB
Mike Wawrzynek (“Almost, Maine”) – PTPA
Jacob Shoesmith-Fox (“The Secret Garden”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Set
Dave Reynolds and Mike Wawrzynek (“August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Mike Wawrzynek and Eyanna Gruver (“Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Bernard Mulcahy (“Beauty and the Beast”) – LTWB
Michael Marone (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) – Music Box
Michael Marone (“Newsies”) – PTPA
Ryan Cook and Julia Horn (“She Loves Me”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Lighting Design
Joelle Witner (“Frozen Jr.”) – DMPW
James Natal (“Next to Normal”) – Gaslight
Jon Vojtko (“Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Michael Marone (“Sweeney Todd”) – Music Box
Brandon Hanks (“The Secret Garden”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Costume Design
Thom Sirkot (“Frozen Jr.”) – DMPW
Eyanna Gruver (“Jekyll and Hyde”) – LTWB
Camille Reineke (“Beauty and the Beast”) – LTWB
Autumn Jai Galka (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) – Music Box
Rachel Rossi (“She Loves Me”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Director of a Comedy
Paige Balitski (“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”) – Diva
Lisa Dougherty (“I Hate Hamlet”) – DMPW
Dave Reynolds (“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”) – Gaslight
Scott Colin (“Peter and the Starcatcher”) – LTWB
Mike Wawrzynek (“Almost, Maine”) – PTPA
Gillian Turner (“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Director of a Musical
John Schugard and Donna Vojtek (“Evil Dead”) – DMPW
Heidi Germaine Schnappauf (“Next to Normal”) – Gaslight
Alexandra Liguori (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) – Music Box
Michael Marone (“Sweeney Todd”) – Music Box
Samantha Schugardt (“Newsies”) – PTPA
Samantha Schugardt (“A Chorus Line”) – PTPA
Brandon Hanks (“The Secret Garden”) – Theatrical Gems
Best Director of a Drama
Lou Bisignani (“Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Murders”) – Actors Circle
Casey Thomas (“Orphans”) – Diva
Joyce Vandermark and Bill Amos (“Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Avenger”) – DMPW
Brandi George (“August: Osage County”) – LTWB
Adam Randis (“That Championship Season”) – PTPA
Best Original One-Act (Writing)
“Ripped” by Paul J. Gallo – Diva
“Salmon Fishing at Two Dad’s Lodge” by John Cowder – Diva
“Mr. Christmas” by Dane Bower – Gaslight
“The Yellow Leaf” by David Parmelee – LTWB
“The ‘A’ Word” by Lisa Ellex – Worthington
Best Original Full-Length Production (Writing)
“Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Murders” by Lou Bisignani – Actors Circle
“Mona Lisa and the Cross” by K.K. Gordon – Diva
“Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Avenger” by Bill Amos – DMPW
“Home for the Holidays” by Lisa Dougherty – PTPA
“Country Fried Murder” by Judy Klass – Worthington
Best Comedy
“Dearly Departed” – Actors Circle
“Boeing, Boeing” – Center Stage
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” – Diva
“I Hate Hamlet” – DMPW
“Peter and the Starcatcher” – LTWB
“Almost, Maine” – PTPA
Best Musical
“Next to Normal” – Gaslight
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” – Music Box
“Newsies” – PTPA
“Beauty and the Beast” – LTWB
“Company” – Music Box
Best Drama
“Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Murders” – Actors Circle
“Dancing at Lughnasa” – AGOSC
“Orphans” – Diva
“Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Avenger” – DMPW
“August: Osage County” – LTWB
“That Championship Season” – PTPA
Best One-Act
“Ripped” – Diva
“Salmon Fishing at Two Dad’s Lodge” – Diva
“Zoltan” – Diva
“Mr. Christmas” – Gaslight
“Zoo Story” – PTPA
Best Family Show
“The Wizard of Oz” – DMPW
“Beauty and the Beast” – LTWB
“The Happy Elf” – Music Box
“Newsies” – PTPA
“The Secret Garden” – Theatrical Gems
Best Youth Production (75 percent of principals 12 or under)
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.” – AGOSC
“Peter Pan Jr.” – DMPW
“Madagascar” – Music Box
“The Lion King Kids” – PTPA
“Aladdin Jr.” – Worthington
Best Teen Production (75 percent of principals 13 -18)
“Frozen Jr.” – DMPW
“Beauty and the Beast Jr.” (cast 1) – LTWB
“High School Musical” – Music Box
“School House Rock Jr.” (teen cast) – PTPA
“Hairspray Jr.” – Worthington
Best Ancillary Ensemble
“Playroom: Home for the Holidays” – Gaslight
“Beauty and the Beast” – LTWB
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” – Music Box
“Sweeney Todd” – Music Box
“The Music Man” – Music Box
“The Secret Garden” – Theatrical Gems
