The theater faithful showed their best stuff on a recent April evening. They picked their way across a New Orleans Police Department-Secret Service obstacle course (set to secure the presence of President George Bush at a summit in Gallier Hall) to attend the 16th annual Storer Boone Awards celebration at Le Chat Noir Cabaret Theatre.
Le Chat proprietor Barbara Motley and “Uncle” Wayne Daigrepont co-hosted
the evening, which featured the presentation of some 30 awards in a room packed with industry pros, a few of whom also provided entertainment. Meredith Long opened the program with a number from Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s production of “Ruthless!” Later, Becky Allen, Richard Arnold and Jessie Terrebonne turned a snappy selection from “Annie,” staged recently at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré.
Other highlights included presentations of a lifetime achievement award to
the multi-talented Ricky Graham, and a humanitarian award to Kathy Randels, honoring her work at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. The group honored Don and Linda Guillot with the Arthur Tong unsung hero award.
Those named as “best” in the following categories, for work done in 2007, were:
Theatre/production company of the year: Le Petit Theatre
Original play: Scrooge in Rouge, Ricky Graham, Jeff Roberson and Jefferson Turner
Drama: The Pillowman, DEM Boys Productions/Le Petit Theatre
Director of a drama: Carl Walker, Doubt
Actor in a drama: Blake Balu, The Pillowman
Actress in a drama: Claire Moncrief, Doubt
Supporting actor in a drama: Leon Contavesprie, The Pillowman
Supporting actress in a drama: Andrea Frankel, Doubt
Musical: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Rivertown Repertory Theater
Director of a musical: Gary Rucker, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Actor in a musical: Sean Patterson, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Actress in a musical: Kelly Fouchi, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Supporting actor in a musical: Bob Edes, The Pajama Game
Supporting actress in a musical: Leslie Limberg, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Musical direction: Leonard Raybon, Little Me
Choreography: Kelly Fouchi and Casey Leigh Thompson, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Comedy: The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The NOLA Project
Director of a comedy: Noel Wilson, The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Actor in a comedy: Peter McElligott, The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Actress in a comedy: Angela Papale, Prelude to a Kiss
Supporting actor in a comedy: Bob Edes, Carrie’s Facts of Life
Supporting actress in a comedy: Cammie West, Valhalla
Children’s play: The Wind in the Willows, The NOLA Project
Child performance: Samantha Evers, The Pillowman
Set design: Josh Palmer and Chad Talkington, The Pillowman
Lighting design: Chad Talkington, The Pillowman
Costume design: Carolyn Barrois, Cecile Casey Covert, Linda Fried, Roy Haylock, Regina Schlotzhauer, Sugar Babies
Sound design (tie): Peter McElligott, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Cliff Stromeyer, Sugar Babies
Stage manager: Laura Jean Hoffpauir
