And the Clarence goes to...
Grosse Pointe Theatre picks its winners

Grosse Pointe Theatre held its annual meeting and Clarence Awards Dinner on June 19 at the Detroit Institute of Arts in the Kresge Court. The theatre’s award is named for the first show it produced in 1948, "Clarence," a comedy by Booth Tarkington.

The award for Lead Actress went to Theresa Selvaggio of the Farms for the role of Anna in "The King and I."  Selvaggio also won the Hubbard Female Worker of the Year award, and a Clarence for Makeup on "Grease."

Eric Leszczynski of the Woods won the Hubbard Male Worker of the Year award.

The award for Lead Actor went to Keith Johnson of the Farms for his role in "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)."

The musical "Grease" was voted the Favorite Production by the members.

For their roles in "Grease," Dante Bufalini of the City won the award Supporting Male Actor; Danielle Caralis of the Shores won the Supporting Female Actor award; Rob Weber of the City won as Featured Male Actor; Michele Karl of St. Clair Shores won as Featured Female Actor; and Kevin FitzHenry of Warren won as Non-Featured Male in "Grease."

Timothy P. Higgins of Birmingham won for his direction of "Grease" and for his choreography on the show along with co-chair Marcie Kazmirowski of Warren. Marie Boyle Reinman of the Farms won awards for both the Vocal and Music Direction of "Grease."

Barbara Bentley of the City and co-chair Selvaggio won the Makeup award for "Grease." Dennis McGiness of St. Clair Shores won as Technical Director; and Jef Fisk of the City and Robert Montgomery of the Farms won the Lighting award for "Grease."

Co-chairs Arlene Marie Schoenherr of St. Clair Shores and Marianne Casey of Troy won the Properties award for "Grease." The award was a tie with co-chairs Olivia Wickline of St. Clair Shores) and Don Ross of Warren who won the Properties award for "The King and I."

The award for Sound was a three-way tie. Co-chairs Blair Arden of Macomb Twp. and John Casey of the Woods won for sound on "Grease." Ed Thomas of Centerline won for sound on "Sylvia" and Bill Tuthill of the Woods won for sound on "The King and I."

Emmajean Evans of the City won the Producer award for "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)."

Stephanie Rinderknecht of the Woods won the Non-Featured Female award for her role in "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown."

Two married couples shared awards for their work in "The King and I." Nancy and Dennis McGiness of St. Clair Shores  won the Producer award; and Kathleen Conlon and Sal DeMercurio of Detroit won the Set Dressing award. Fran Dombrowski of Washington Twp. and Richard Selke of Harper Woods won the costumes award for "The King and I."

Rick Hawley of the Woods won the award for Set Design for "Sylvia."

Outgoing president Kathleen Conlon congratulated members on an ambitious and successful year, which also included a production of "Art," staged at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford Activities Center; "Talking Headstones" at St. Paul Cemetery in collaboration with the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, and the Alger House Anniversary activities in collaboration with the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The president’s gavel was passed to incoming president Clif Levin of Detroit.

Lisa Johnson chaired the gala event, which included the annual meeting, dinner, awards ceremony and dancing to the DJ’s of Living Energy.

For more information about Grosse Pointe Theatre call (313) 881-4004, or visit the website.

• Login or register to post comments
• Printer-friendly version
• Send to friend