Marc Valdez Weblog

Sunday, September 25, 2005

23rd Annual Elly Awards

Autumn has started, which means, 'Elly' time again! (Here is the full list of nominees and the winners, from The Sacramento Bee).

This year, I arrived about 45 minutes late, so I missed the initial musical number and the Supporting Awards part. The second musical number was 'Stop Ladies Pray/Poor Wandering One,' from Runaway Stage's "Pirates of Penzance."

It was a pleasure to see that both Kelly Mustain and Kelly Daniells flew back to town from San Diego to participate in the festivities. Kelly Mustain was featured in the second musical number, along with Tevye Ditter. Kelly Daniells flew in to reprise her 'Cabaret,' from Solano Community College's production of "Cabaret." The number was a showstopper, winning her a standing ovation from many of the assembled actors and actresses.

Since DMTC is doing "Cabaret" (the original version, not Solano's revival version), it was tempting to compare the versions. It was difficult to do so, however. Jessica Hammon's version at DMTC right now seems much more sultry and smoky than Kelly Daniell's bright, brassy version. Kelly was punching for dramatic effect so hard (in her award acceptance speech, she mentioned getting acting training recently from Bob Baxter) that I thought it violated the spirit of the number.

But what, exactly, is the spirit of the number? As the director of the Solano show (presumably George Maguire) pointed out when he was accepting the award for Best Overall Production of a Musical, Kander and Ebb revised "Cabaret" several times. If the Emcee is a much darker character in the revival, then it stands to reason that Sally Bowles might be much brighter, to heighten the contrast between the lead characters. Until I see both versions, however, I will have to suspend judgement on the question.

Some moments from the show (paraphrased as best I can recall........)

The girl sitting next to me (Eldorado Musical Theater?) shouted at the stage several times during the proceedings, "You've got my socks!" At one time, Tyler Milliron, from El Dorado Musical Theater Young People's Theater, was on-stage, but it seemed like she shouted at several other people as well, which made me wonder how many people have her socks, and why she has so much difficulty keeping hold of them.

Katherine Pappa's award acceptance speech started with, "Oh, thanks kids! Stop being bitter now!"

Another award winner: "This music makes me feel like I'm underwater!"

Bob De Lucia, accepting an award for work at Magic Circle Theater: "How many of you have ever worked with Alan Pontes? He's amazing! An actor who thinks. What a concept!" Bob finished his speech by pointing at his fedora-covered head and stating: "It's all about the hat!"

Another award winner: "Go 1980's! That's the foundation of the play. And to all my teachers who said I'll never get anything for fooling around - well, I showed you!"

An African-American actor, accepting an award (I missed the precise context, but the audience thought it was funny): "I'm not a black Russian!"

Jeff Kean, from Woodland Opera House, stated, just before opening an envelope, "the suspense is killing me." An excitable student near me commanded, "Do it!"

Kelly Daniells, in her acceptance speech, began gushing. She named several people to whom she owed so much, then said, "And to my brother, Erik! He's WONDERFUL!" Then she caught herself, turned, and leaned over to Jim Jordan, the accompanist, who was sitting below and beside the stage, and said (to general laughter and amusement), "Oh! And you're wonderful too!"

And the line people will remember most of all.... James Wheatley, peering into the darkness of the Crest Theater in order to locate his stars from "Master Harold and the Boys," asked: "Is my Willy here?"

Here are some lame pictures from the cheap seats.....