Best in Army Europe theater recognized at Toppers

WIESBADEN, GERMANY

04.30.2017

Story by James Corbin 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

WIESBADEN, Germany -- Actors, actresses, crew, friends, Family and special guests all came together for a gala event celebrating the best in Army Europe community theater during the 2017 season at an event here April 29.

This year's Toppers Awards, held for the first time at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden in the event's 22-year history, showcased the best and brightest from theater programs across Europe.

"Everyone who has contributed to one of this year's entries is already a highly valued member of a winning team," said Michael D. Formica, Installation Management Command Europe director, as he welcomed the guests and nominees to the event. "Your talent, dedication and hard work enrich us all. On behalf of the total Army Europe, Air Force, and international families, I thank you for providing top-quality entertainment events in the tournament and throughout the year. Congratulations to all of you for a job well done."

Dane Winters, IMCOM Europe entertainment director and one of the evening's masters of ceremonies, said this year's Toppers competition was one of the best he has seen, and hardest for the judges to pick winners.

"The shows this year were really incredible, I mean professional-quality stuff," he said. "Everyone was so energized and so excited."

The 49 Toppers awards and numerous special awards were presented by leaders from military communities throughout Europe, with some star-studded help.

"I'm thrilled to be back this year to help celebrate all your hours of hard work and outstanding achievements," said Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony-award winning actor, playwright and composer, and creator of the Broadway hits "In the Heights" and "Hamilton," in a pre-recorded video message announcing the winner of Best Military Performance in a Musical. "Thank you for your sacrifice and your service."

Miranda was one of an array of guest stars, including William Shatner, LeVar Burton, Daniel Radcliffe, Art LaFluer, Henry Winkler, Chris Pine, Ben Stiller, Charlie Carver, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Manteiga, Harvey Fierstein, and David Hyde Pierce, who all volunteered their time to help announce awards this year.

The evening's top winners were USAG Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse with 13 Toppers, Kaiserslautern's KMC Onstage with 10 Toppers and USAG Stuttgart's Stuttgart Theater Center with nine Toppers.

Wiesbaden and Stuttgart split the big wins for the night, with Wiesbaden's production of "Annie" taking home the Topper for Best Musical, and Stuttgart's rendition of "A Streetcar Named Desire" winning Best Play for the year.

However, according to one winner that night, the best part may have been getting to take part in the plays throughout the year.

"We were happy to put forth the show for the community and be a part of this great team," said Rachel Selph, one of the winners of the tied Best Supporting Actress in a Musical category and part of the winning Best Musical Direction team, both for her work on the Amelia Earhart's production of "Annie."

Selph, whose husband, daughter and son were also in "Annie," encouraged those in military communities across Europe who are unsure about taking the theatric leap to do so.

"It's a family, and there's a place for everyone," she said. "Whether out front on stage, or behind, there is something for everyone in theater. They just have to find out what is for them."

Winters agreed, saying theater helps people of all ranks, careers and backgrounds to become better, more well-rounded individuals, all while teaching them to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

"Putting a on a show teaches people incredible life skills … how to communicate with each other, how to problem solve, how to team build. They're working for a very common goal," he said. "[Theater] builds a Family."

The complete list of winners are:

BEST MAKE-UP FOR A PLAY
Mikayla Jones. "The Lusty & Comical History of Tom Jones." The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Mark Beighey, "Arsenic & Old Lace." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST SET DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Tim Coble. "Arsenic & Old Lace." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST SOUND DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Alan Buxkemper. "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Richard Roberts and Leandra Sutton. "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST STAGE PROPERTIES AND DRESSING FOR A PLAY
"An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe." The Alliance Players, JFC Brunssum, Netherlands

BEST STAGE MANAGER FOR A PLAY
Katherine Wellman. "One Man, Two Guvnors." The Terrace Playhouse, Ansbach

BEST TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FOR A PLAY
"A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Richard Roberts. "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST MAKE-UP FOR A MUSICAL
James Pressley, Ashley Boone, Caitlyn McCullough and Sasha Nunnally. "The Little Mermaid, Jr." Aviano Community Theater, Aviano Air Base, Italy

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Cindy Krewson. "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST SET DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Kristin McGregor and Eric Danzeiser, "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST SOUND DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Andres Daehn. "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Laurie LeBlanc, Shannon Douberly and Tambra Tiffany. "The Little Mermaid, Jr." Aviano Community Theater, Aviano Air Base, Italy

BEST STAGE PROPERTIES AND DRESSING FOR A MUSICAL
"The Lion King Kids." The Terrace Playhouse, Ansbach

BEST STAGE MANAGER FOR A MUSICAL
Brittany Jasinski. "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FOR A MUSICAL
Jerry Brees. "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The Soldiers' Theater, Vicenza, Italy

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Kristin McGregor, Hilaree Glenn and SrA Anthony Orsillo. "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST INSTRUMENTALIST
Lynn Daniels, drums. "The Lion King Kids." The Terrace Playhouse, Ansbach

BEST ORCHESTRA OR MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT
"Godspell." Aviano Community Theater, Aviano Air Base, Italy

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION
Elizabeth Evans, Maj. Aaron Selph and Rachel Selph. "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Brian Buckley. "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST HAIR AND WIG DESIGN
Perlita Simmons. "The Lusty & Comical History of Tom Jones." The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium

BEST ENSEMBLE FOR A PLAY
"Lie of Omission." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern Studio Theater

BEST MILITARY ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Royal Air Force Wg Cdr Lydia Scroggs (Goody Brown, etc.). "The Lusty & Comical History of Tom Jones." The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium

BEST MILITARY ACTOR IN A PLAY
Chief Petty Officer Christopher Whyte (Burke) "An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe." The Alliance Players, JFC Brunssum, Netherlands

BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Christopher Craven (Ned). "Lie of Omission." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern Studio Theater

BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Cassandra Ferguson. (The Plant). "One Man, Two Guvnors." The Terrace Playhouse, Ansbach

BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
David Mark (Rev. Dr. Harper). "Arsenic & Old Lace." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Sunny Boone (Aunt Di, etc.), "The Lusty & Comical History of Tom Jones." The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Edward Gaietto (Mitch). "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Tracy Coffey (Blanche). "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY
JD Dill (Francis) "One Man, Two Guvnors." The Terrace Playhouse, Ansbach

BEST CHORUS MEMBER IN A MUSICAL
Air Force Senior Airman Dalton Watson. "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST ENSEMBLE FOR A MUSICAL
"Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST MILITARY PERFOMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Sgt. 1st Class Joe Stone (Senex). "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Vicenza Soldiers' Theatre, Italy

BEST FEMALE YOUTH PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Kya Stein (Annie). "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST MALE YOUTH PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Zane Hills (Gaston). "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." Ramstein's Razz Ma Tazz Family Theater

BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Karen Lopez (Maria). "9 to 5, the Musical." Grafenwöhr Performing Arts Center

BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Lange (Grand Master Chad, Sundeep, Carlos). "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (Tie)
Melanie Boulay (Paulette). "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern
Rachel Selph (Grace). "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Lorenzo Felisatti (Hysterium). "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Vicenza Soldiers' Theatre, Italy

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Margaret Jacquay (Elle). "Legally Blonde." KMC Onstage, Kaiserslautern

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Maj. Aaron Selph (Oliver Warbucks). "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST DEBUT IN A PLAY
Jacquelyn Drivas (Annelle). "Steel Magnolias." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST DEBUT IN A MUSICAL
Rebekah Young (Lilly). "Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST PLAY
"A Streetcar Named Desire." The Stuttgart Theatre Center

BEST MUSICAL
"Annie." Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

BEST FAMILY SHOW
"The Lion King Kids." The Terrace Playhouse, Ansbach

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (TOPPERs Judges' Choice)
1. "An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe," for Creative Use of the Performance Space. The Alliance Players, JFC Brunssum, Netherlands
2. Dörte Jensen, for "Outstanding Fight Choreography." A Streetcar Named Desire. The Stuttgart Theatre Center
3. Sgt. Edward Martin for Original Music for "The Lusty & Comical History of Tom Jones." The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium
4. "Arsenic & Old Lace" for Creative Casting of Command Staff. Amelia Earhart Playhouse, Wiesbaden

2017 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY THEATRE (AACT) REGION X BEST ONE ACT PLAY
"Counting the Ways." The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium

THE JAMES T. MARTIN AWARD
Aaron Talley and Linda Dahlstrom

THE MARGARET (SKIPPY) LYNN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS FOR EXCEPTIONAL VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT
Jeanne Ragonese. The Stuttgart Theater Center

THE NORMAN H. MARCUS MWR AWARD
Greg Holzinger. USAG Wiesbaden, director of Family, Morale and Welfare

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY THEATRE (AACT) AWARDS
AACT Spotlight Award. Shannon Egbert. The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center, Belgium
AACT Special Recognition Award. Nate Records. USAG Rheinland Pfalz/Kaiserslautern
AACT Distinguished Merit Award. Alan Buxkemper. The Stuttgart Theater Center
AACT Special Recognition Award. Installation Management Command Europe

• Date Taken: 04.30.2017
• Date Posted: 12.29.2017 09:31
• Story ID: 260653
• Location: WIESBADEN, DE