10th annual Tottie awards planned for Jan. 21
The Tottie Award for Best Musical is displayed at the Geyer Theater for a year after it is awarded, before being delivered to the director of the musical after the next year's Tottie Awards.
Tyler Handford takes a moment after winning Best Director of a Play for his production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at the Geyer Performing Arts Center’s Tottie Awards last year.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Courtney Harkins is overwhelmed with emotion after tying with Mandy Onder to win the Best Actress in a Musical Tottie Award at the Geyer Performing Arts Center last year.
Preparations are under way to roll out the red carpet for the 10th Annual Totties at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale.
On Jan. 21, member’s of the theater community will gather together to honor those who have had an impact on the local theatre community.
“Our former manager had the idea and enough people wanted to try it,” said Brad Geyer, president of the Geyer Performing Arts Center. “One of our tech directors came up with the name, and we had a show.”
The awards are named after Marilyn “Tottie” Kiefer, who was responsible for saving the theater in 1987.
“Her, along with Millard Hess and Mary Biestel, incorporated and purchased the building,” said Geyer. “Tottie, owner of Scottdale Bank and Trust, supported the theater and still today we have that support from her foundation.”
In addition to having an enjoyable evening, the awards serve as a way to thank the hard work of the people that have been a part of the theatre community year round.
“It is the night where the Geyer and Actors and Artists of Fayette County boards come together to thank our actors and production staffs. We have a party after with entertainment and refreshments,” said Geyer.
“It’s a great night where all the casts from the year can come back together and reminisce and reconnect. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to congratulate each other for the art we created.”
The evening is setup like many of the popular awards shows.
“Red carpet, gowns and tuxes, start the evening. Dottie Davis will be our Emcee, and has for all 10 awards,” said Geyer. “We have presenters for each award, and run a video of the nominees, just like you see in between the awards, you have performances from the shows that are up for awards. So the cast can perform together one more time. We have a special guest this year, who will be assisting Dottie.”
The categories for the awards are a lot like other awards shows like the Tony’s.
“The nominees are selected from the list created by both boards,” said Geyer. “Then we open up the voting to those who have seen a majority of shows from the past year.”
This year’s nominees include:
n Best Costumes
“Urinetown”
“The Little Mermaid”
“Cats”
“9 to 5”
n Best Scenic/Lighting Design
“Urinetown”
“The Little Mermaid”
“Cats”
“Little Shop of Horrors”
N Best Comedic Actor/Troupe
Ben Wren and Vicky Post – Officer Lockstock and Little Sally, “Urinetown”
Ben Wren – Chef Louie, “The Little Mermaid”
Rachel Szabo – Roz Keith, “9 to 5”
Mike Hamilla – Orin Scrivello DDS, “Little Shop of Horrors”
n Best Antagonist
John Paul Richey – Caldwell B Cladwell, “Urinetown”
Rachel Szabo – Ursula, “The Little Mermaid”
Scott Walton – Franklin Hart, “9 to 5”
Tyler Handford – Audrey II, “Little Shop of Horrors”
n Best Choreography
“Urinetown”
“The Little Mermaid”
“Cats”
“9 to 5”
n Best Music
“Urinetown” — Alison King Perry
“The Little Mermaid” — Alison King Perry
“Cats” — Michael Busija
“9 to 5” — David Bridge
N Best Featured Actor in a Play
Chet Joseph – Putti Van Daan, “The Diary of Anne Frank”
Michael Dunlap – Peter Van Daan, “The Diary of Anne Frank”
Shawn Conway – Glenn Cooper, “Rumors”
William S. White – Ernie Cusack, “Rumors”
n Best Featured Actress in a Play
Reagan DeFazio – Miep Gies, “The Diary of Anne Frank”
Rebekah Laughlin – Kari Ames Bissette, “Always a Bridesmaid”
Chelsea Forbes – Cassie Cooper, “Rumors”
Dolores Love – Cookie Cusack, “Rumors”
n Best Leading Actor in a Play
Brad Geyer – Otto Frank, “The Diary of Anne Frank”
Paul Appelby – Ken Gorman, “Rumors”
Tyler Handford – Lenny Ganz, “Rumors”
n Best Leading Actress in a Play
Victoria Post – Anne Frank, “The Diary of Anne Frank”
Marilyn Forbes – Monette Gentry, “Always a Bridesmaid”
Lisa Earnesty – Charlie Collins, “Always a Bridesmaid”
Ally Riddle – Claire Ganz, “Rumors”
n Best Featured Actor in a Musical
John Paul Richey – Caldwell Be Cladwell, “Urinetown”
Jessie Glover – Sebastian, “The Little Mermaid”
Joey Wolf – Scuttle, “The Little Mermaid”
Tyler Handford – Old Deuteronomy, “Cats”
Brad Geyer – Gus, “Cats”
Will Dixon – Joe, “9 to 5”
n Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Victoria Post – Little Sally, “Urinetown”
Taney Basinger – Flounder, “The Little Mermaid”
Monica Kramer – Grizabella, “Cats”
Rachel Szabo – Roz Keith, “9 to 5”
n Best Leading Actor in a Musical
John Michael Taormina – Bobby Strong, “Urinetown”
Ben Wren – Officer Lockstock, “Urinetown”
Scott Walton – Franklin Hart, “9 to 5”
Will Dixon – Seymour, “Little Shop of Horrors”
n Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Rachel Szabo – Miss. Pennywise, “Urinetown”
Breanna Deutsch – Ariel, “The Little Mermaid”
Marilyn Forbes – Violet Newstead, “9 to 5”
Leyna Wright – Audrey, “Little Shop of Horrors”
n Best Director
“Urinetown” — Tyler Handford and Rachel Szabo
“The Little Mermaid” — Chelsea Forbes
“Cats” — Jill Jassmann Sharlock
“9 to 5” — Shawn Conway
“Rumors” — Marilyn Forbes
n Best Play
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
“Always a Bridesmaid”
“Rumors”
n Best Musical
“Urinetown”
“The Little Mermaid”
“Cats”
“Little Shop of Horrors”
In addition to having a fun night out, Geyer hopes participants walk away with something as well.
“It is a night to congratulate each other for a job well done,” said Geyer.
For more information about the upcoming performances at the Geyer Performing Arts Center, go online to geyerpac.com.