Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Awards Open Section Winners 2012
Presentations for the winners of the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Awards for 2012 were held at Costa Hall, Geelong on December 8, 2012.
Coral Drouyn reflects.
You know that saying “you had to be there”? The one you use when people don’t get what you’re trying to tell them? Well, last night, you had to be there; let’s face it, every Tom Dick and Bruce was. Bruce? Well, actually, a lot of Bruces. You see, the name of the Guild award is “The Bruce”…just like The Oscar or The Tony (except Tony was a girl). And just like its siblings The Bruce is awarded for excellence…this time in amateur musical theatre.
Whether you call it amateur (that word was mostly used last night) or community or little theatre, it’s alive and kicking and of a fantastically high standard. In fact, the standard is so high that many of the amateur productions outdo their professional counterparts. Why should that be? The simplistic, but most likely, explanation is that these productions are driven by nothing but passion, commitment, exhilaration and love for musical theatre. They don’t need to consider box office, marquee names, contracts, rehearsal schedules, union awards or any of those things that drive commercial theatre. The performers are usually insanely talented and with brilliant voices, yet they have “day jobs” to support them, so they never have to take a part in a show they hate just to pay the rent. They take a show because they LOVE it, nothing less.
Some would argue that giving awards takes the “community” out of Community Theatre, and puts companies in competition with each other in a way that distils the pure love of performing. But, honestly, how could you NOT award the sensational performances that the audience was treated to last night? Production numbers from shows as diverse as Urinetown, Rent, Next To Normal, Avenue Q, Into The Woods, Oliver!, Sunset Boulevard, Barnum, Godspell, Hairspray, Parade, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Cats and All Shook Up, with their original cast members, were presented on the one stage on the same night, and there was still time to fit in some 33 awards (without speeches) beautifully presented in just two and a half hours.
I am a recent convert to Amateur theatre, but I found myself cheering as loudly as anyone when my favourites took the stage. Highlights for me were the sheer energy of the All Shook Up (CLOC) ensemble; the wonderful Tyler Hess performing “I Believe in You (Mountain District Musical Society) and out-Morseing Robert, as well as Out- Rooneying Mickey in the process; Mark Stefanoff’s fabulous rendition of Today For You from Rent (Bust Co) and ALL of the astonishing junior performers.
Then there was the appearance by the very wonderful Bruce McBrien, founder of the Guild and the man for whom the “Bruce” award is named. At 86 years old, eyes sparkling, excitement in his voice, he epitomised what it means to love musical theatre with every fibre of your being. He was witty and inspirational, an example to young and old.
If you’re still struggling with the whole idea, let me tell you a few more things I discovered last night. Andrew McCalman was Musical Director for Sunset Boulevard (CLOC) and in his very excellent orchestra he had musician Danny Forward. The two men became friends and Andrew recommended Danny as Musical Director for All Shook Up (also CLOC). Last night they shared the award for best Musical Direction in two separate productions for the same company. That’s how high the standard is.
Tyler Hess was nominated twice as best male performer and best male supporting performer this year, yet he won the award for wardrobe for his fabulous costumes for “How to Succeed……”. Is he disappointed? Not a bit. He wants to take a break but ultimately would like to try his hand at every category going. Paul Watson, nominated as best male performer, actually won for best cameo performance and will go on to direct Fiddler On The Roof which will probably see him nominated as director next year. The diversity of the various talents is amazing. Rosa McCarty, a major talent, was nominated as Best Female Performer in both Oliver! (Babirra) and Next to Normal (WMTC), winning for the latter. Even the losers, and those that didn’t get nominated, were genuinely excited for their friends, their associates and its not surprising that they go to see other productions. After all, it’s a community.
Watching the outpouring of excitement and affection and humility last night, I felt so proud to have been a spectator. And if you still don’t get the whole concept of Community Theatre, well…..you had to be there!
Winners of Bruce Awards for Excellence in the Open Section of the 26th Annual Awards.
Production of the Year
All Shook Up, CLOC Musical Theatre
Direction
Shaun Kingma, Next to Normal, Williamstown Musical Theatre Company
Musical Direction - Tied
Andrew McCalman, Sunset Boulevard, CLOC Musical Theatre
and
Danny Forward, All Shook Up, CLOC Musical Theatre
Choreography - Tied
Jordan Punsalang, Cats, Footlight Productions
and
Amy Anselmi, Godspell, Horsham Arts Council
Settings - Tied
Andrew Bellchambers, Cats, Footlight Productions
and
John Shelbourn, All Shook Up, CLOC Musical Theatre
Wardrobe
Tyler Hess, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mountain District Musical Society
Lighting
Brad Alcock, Hairspray, PLOS Musical Productions
Technical Achievement
Hairspray, PLOS Musical Productions
Male Performer in a Leading Role
Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, Chad, All Shook Up, CLOC Musical Theatre
Female Performer in a Leading Role
Rosa McCarty, Diana Goodman, Next to Normal, Williamstown Musical Theatre Company
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Mark Stefanoff, Angel, Rent, BuSTCo (Burwood Student Theatre Company)
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Lauren Elise, Judy Garland, The Boy from Oz, Altona City Theatre
Junior Performer in an Open Production
Jack Turner, Jack, Into the Woods, SPX Waterdale Players
Gladys Moncrieff Award for First Performance in a Featured Role
Jay Nelson, Moonface Martin, Anything Goes, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group
Dancer’s Award
Will Hanley, Billy, Anything Goes, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group
Cameo Performance
Paul Watson, Elocution Teacher, Singin’ in the Rain, CenterStage Geelong
Ensemble Performance
The cast, Godspell, Horsham Arts Council
Design Award
Brenton Staples, mansion set, Sunset Boulevard, CLOC Musical Theatre
Concert/Revue Performance
Fab Nobs 10th Fabiversary Concert, Fab Nobs Theatre
Special Awards
Musicians Award: Amber Simm
Life Membership: Mary-Ellen Wallace-Smith
Special Award: Val Pagram
Edith Harrhy Award: Rohan Luke.
There were 56 Open Section productions in 2012.
Winners in the Junior Section.
Images: Grant Alley and Sandra Davies with CLOC's Best Production Bruce; Paul Watson; Fab Nobs with their Concert / Revue Bruce, Tyler Hess; Andrew McCalman and Danny Forward; Danny Forward, Tyler Hess, Kim Anderson, Jonathan Guthrie-Jones and Craig Wiltshire; Mary-Ellen Wallace-Smith and the cast, Godspell, Horsham Arts Council, with choreographer Amy Anselmi.
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