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2 Best 2008 NHTA Awards to Rent! |
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Written by Gibbs Murray
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NOTE: NHTA: New Hampshire Theatre Awards in Manchester NH @ Palace Theatre 2/6/2009 gave awards in plays/musicals to professionally designated theatres and community theatres; nominations were selected from all (professional) theatres : each of whom had to select 2 productions-- pre-production, to be be reviewed. Weathervane selected (in June 2008) VIOLET and RENT. Both productions went into rehearsal in August 2008.
Managing Director Lyn Winter attended/presented awards the at Palace Theatre Friday night, and endured every amateur NH theatre group reprising their 'finest' moments. Let me first say that I'm delighted that Lyn's presence was shared by Kit Carter, WV Board att'y and the Carter family, John and Jean Wissler, WV Board members,patrons. It is significant that the judges of the NHTA commission(?) identified and awarded Weathervane Theatre's RENT the Best Musical production in New Hampshire in 2008 and Jacques Stewart as the Best Director (RENT). As a measure of Weathervane's artistry, one only need to have seen Kevin Smith Kirkwood's (award-winning) performance as Angel in that production.
I'm not hot on awards, in that they bypass or dismiss and frequently are political, but we all should know that Jacques' production of RENT was an artistic achievement beyond expectations. Not in any way to dismiss the quality and superb artistry that he interprets in all his directoral efforts, as well as overseeing other directors. But Friday night (endless apparently) in Manchester, NH at The Palace,
the Weathervane Theatre was acknowledged, above other nominees for our presentation (the first authorized rights production) of the classic/cult 'anthem' musical RENT. (We were nominated for 15 awards from the 2 shows we submitted: VIOLET & RENT. WV does 7 shows in rep annually).
It seems to me significant, in large part due to Lyn Winter, Managing/Marketing Director, that this 'far above the Notches', Weathervane Theatre's excellence is now noticeable further south.
Thank you NHTA and my deepest respect to all of you non-nominees who make every season happen/work. |