Award winners and presenters posed for a shot after the show, held at Pierson Playhouse.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
It is perhaps one of happiest and loveliest award ceremonies in Los Angeles, and Theatre Palisades once again it did not disappoint with its 2024 TP Award Show on August 11.
The evening started with a delicious catered dinner that took place across from the Pierson Playhouse on Haverford at Founders Oak Island. It was pleasant under the historic trees, as members of the various casts reconnected for the evening.
The 2024 ceremony, produced by Martha Hunter, included prior shows A View from the Bridge, Beau Jest, The Andrew Brothers and Towards Zero.
In an annual feature, Doug Green started the show with a hilarious parody of the shows. Most people in the audience eagerly anticipate how he’ll cleverly sing and play his way through the four shows.
Doug Green opens the award show with a parody of shows nominated.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Part of the fun of community theater is the long-time participation of family and friends. Cindie Wright-Banks has been with the theater long before this 125-seat venue opened in 1988. Her mom was a long-time member and Cindie had joined as a teen.
Her daughter Alesandra Banks, who performed with Theatre Palisades Youth, and was later dubbed ‘Miss Theatre Palisades,” has always helped handing out awards. Last year she was unavailable, but had a good excuse, she gave birth to her daughter, Madilyn.
“Madilyn, who is about to turn one, made her debut on our stage on Sunday night,” Hunter said. “Quite a showstopper and she is now called ‘Little Miss Theatre Palisades.’”
Madilyn joined mom Alesandra Banks on stage. She is the latest addition to the Theatre Palisades Community family.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
The productions were exceptional quality and above the expectations for community theater. Shows received raves from not only reviewers but also from audience members. Unlike some years, when TP Awards went to a single show, there were great performances across all shows, and this year awards were divided
Cate Caplin won for Best Director.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
A View from the Bridge received awards for Production (Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne), Director (Cate Caplin), Featured Actor (Jason Culp), Supporting Actor (Andrew Chase), Cameo Actor (Joshua Farrell) and Graphic Design (Joane Reich). This drama was well-done and provided a riveting evening for audiences.
Beau Jest a comedy, received awards for Lead Actor (Jeff Coppage) and Featured Actress (Laura Goldstein). Copage successfully navigated the changing demands of playing the boyfriend and hilariously adapted to whatever his date, who was paying him, told him he was, including a doctor and Jewish. But as he explained he was capable of playing any role, because he was an actor.
Tasha Taylor won for Lead Actress in Andrews Brothers.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
The Andrews Brothers was led by an exceptionally strong cast, so it was no surprise, Lead Actress went to Tasha Taylor. The show also received the TP Costume Design (Martha Hunter, Maria O’Connor and Hahnah Jackson). When the Andrew Sisters couldn’t make it to a show in the Pacific for the servicemen stationed there, three brothers filled in as the sisters. The evening was entirely entertaining, and Taylor not only sang, but twirled a baton through key numbers – so fun.
Towards Zero, an Agatha Christie/Gerald Verner thriller, saw awards for Supporting Actress (Maria O’Connor), Sound Design (Susan Stangl) Lighting Design (Sherman Wayne) and (Set Design) Sherman Wayne.
To introduce the awards, original shorts skits, written by Martha Hunter (and William Shakespeare) were performed. To introduce the Camero Award Phil Bartolf, playing Hamlet, and Manfred Hofer, as a gravedigger holding Yorick’s skull were quite entertaining.
Audience members were given a sneak preview from the upcoming musical Tick, Tick . ..Boom!” when Come to Your Senses was performed by Brnei Flores and Charlotte Nevins. The show will open September 6.
Next season’s shows were announced and include Jest a Second! The Wisdom of Eve, Deathtrap and Suite Surrender.
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Jason Culp won for Lead Actor in Beau Jest.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN