METROLINA THEATRE AWARDS

Area stage stars take extra bows

Awards gala shares night with Emmys, but celebrates local sparkle

JULIE YORK COPPENS
Theater Writer

Area stage fans call them "Charlotte's own Tonys." But since the Metrolina Theatre Awards typically happen on Emmy night, it's that event, and those stars, that invite comparison.

"The only difference between them and you," said radio personality Ramona Holloway, co-host of the 4th Annual MTA Awards Sunday at Spirit Square, "may be a little bit of money, maybe a little bit more fame. But what are they doin' for the arts here in Charlotte? Not a lot."

There were, though, some similarities between the two galas: a red carpet and paparazzi to welcome the fabulous crowd, acceptance speeches both rambling and inspiring, and -- this year at least -- a surprising range in the players who went home with trophies.

Actor's Theatre of Charlotte was named Theatre Company of the Year and received multiple honors for its productions of "I Am My Own Wife" (to be remounted in Booth Playhouse in May), "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."

Director Dennis Delamar ("Wife," "Trailer Park") and actor Scott Ripley ("Wife," "Hedwig") both received back-to-back awards.

Children's Theatre of Charlotte lost a number of technical and acting awards to the fringe, whose companies have much lower production budgets. But director Alan Poindexter won in the comedy category for "Go, Dog. Go!" and props master Peter Smeal was honored for that show's canine cars. Eric Winkenwerder, a lighting designer and technician who works regularly with CTC, received a special award for technical excellence.

Among the smaller troupes, multiple award-winners included Epic Arts' "The Goddess and the Magdalene," written by Stan Peal and starring Laura Depta; and "Mr. Marmalade," produced by BareBones and starring Beth Pierce and Robert Lee Simmons.

And a little, largely homegrown musical about June Carter Cash, "Wildwood Flowers," bloomed for producer Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and for actors Gina Stewart and Pamela Bob.

"It's the role that fit who I am more than anything I've ever done," said Stewart, who played Mother Maybelle in the show in Booth Playhouse last spring. "When you find that, you find a piece of your soul."

In all, 78 MTA Awards were handed out, and musical numbers from eight of the past season's best productions were performed in a ceremony that stretched nearly four hours.

"Hopefully you grabbed a drink on your way in," joked Holloway's fellow emcee, the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Douglas Young.

But the night went quickly, punctuated by laughter, frequent shouts of "I love you!" from one especially ardent fan in the McGlohon Theatre audience, and even tears of joy, as amateur actor Becky Porter, a 32-year veteran of Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord, accepted an award in the Regional category for "Grace and Glorie."

In addition to staging this annual awards gala, the nonprofit Metrolina Theatre Association works through the year to help area stage companies and artists connect with audiences, funding sources and one another.