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Community Theater To Celebrate Season Tonight

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2007

Updated: 09/13/2007 07:55 pm

PLANT CITY - Plant City Entertainment, the area's community theater, will mark the end of the recently completed season tonight as it holds its annual Applause Awards banquet.

Among the events will be awards for outstanding work during the season. Members were mailed ballots which were tabulated by an outside auditor - the only one who knows the winners until they are revealed tonight.

The nominees are:

•Best Production: 'God's Favorite,' directed by Jennifer Jackson; 'Forever Plaid,' directed by April Smith and Karen Stone; 'Steel Magnolias,' directed by Tom Mitchell; and 'The Music Man,' directed by Jonathan Douglas and Tracey McPherson.

•Best Actress: Dodie White as Rose Benjamin in 'God's Favorite,' Shannon Mack as Truvy Jones in 'Steel Magnolias,' Jenny Morgan as Shelby Eatenton-Lacherie in 'Steel Magnolias,' Jennifer Jackson as M'Lynn Eatenton in 'Steel Magnolias,' Lesley Ives-Payne as Marian Paroo in 'The Music Man' and Debbie Scourtes as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in 'The Music Man.'

•Best Actor: John Harrer as Joe Benjamin in 'God's Favorite,' Tom Guerre as Sidney Lipton in 'God's Favorite,' John David Partain as Jinx in ''Forever Plaid,' Matt Mello as Francis in 'Forever Plaid,' Logan Harrington as Sparky in 'Forever Plaid,' Doug Buffaloe as Smudge in 'Forever Plaid,' John David Partain as Harold Hill in 'The Music Man' and Tyler Hollis as Marcellus Washburn in 'The Music Man.'

•Best Supporting Actress: Brittnie Turner as Sara Benjamin in 'God's Favorite,' Kim Mitchell as Ouiser Boudreaux in 'Steel Magnolias,' Dodie White as Claree Belcher in 'Steel Magnolias,' Cassie Miles as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto in 'Steel Magnolias,' Carol Byers as Mrs. Paroo in 'The Music Man' and Ashlyn Yarbrough as Amaryllis in 'The Music Man.'

•Best Supporting Actor: Peter Baker as David Benjamin in 'God's Favorite,' Daniel Roberts as Ben Benjamin in 'God's Favorite,' Arie Fry as Winthrop Paroo in 'The Music Man' and Nick Folkes, John Harrer, Jose Osborn and Scott Langenstein as The Quartet in 'The Music Man.'

Another highlight of the event, which will be held in the Wesley Centre of the First United Methodist Church of Plant City, will be presentation of a host of goodies to one lucky winner. The theater members have put together a collection of items and asked donations of a dollar each for a chance to win. Proceeds will go for Jim Rodgers Memorial Scholarships to seniors at Plant City and Durant high schools. Rodgers was a longtime educator in the community and a charter member of the theater.

Among the items are: a portable television, a bottle of chardonnay wine, a DVD of 'The Sound of Music,' two CDs of movie and Broadway music, playbills from the 2007 and 2006 Tony Awards, a playbill from 'Phantom of the Opera,' magnets of Broadway shows, a signed photograph of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, stars of the Broadway show 'Wicked,' a host of bath products for men and women, ceramic ice cream dishes, a man's stainless-steel bracelet, a folding card table and four chairs, a gift certificate for two dozen Frank's Famous Cafe Plant City Entertainment Brownies, handcrafter ceramics and jewelry, handpainted goblets, a baseball cap and a Christmas ornament featuring logos of current Broadway shows, a Plant City Entertainment commemorative 25th anniversary goblet, decorative candles, a restaurant gift card and more.

Tickets can be purchased by anyone. They are $1 each or six for $5. It is not necessary to be present to win. For tickets, call Shirley Outen at (813) 752-0728.

'True Cowboy' Ailing, But Will Be Back Home

PLANT CITY - Ed Varn, a lifetime resident and rancher in Plant City, has been hospitalized for several weeks but may be home soon with his wife, Joann.

Varn, a true Florida cowboy who said he has had bulls stomp on him and ribs broken from being thrown from horses, is known for his tenaciousness and sense of humor.

YMCA Issues Weight Loss Challenge

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Family YMCA has a new program for those who need extra motivation and team support to make a lifestyle change. It is offering a program, the 2007 Biggest Weight Loss Competition.

Members of the YMCA can join a team of other members to challenge each other to improve health and lose weight. Beginning Sept. 24, teams will meet twice a week for eight weeks to train together and motivate each other. At the end of the challenge, the team that loses the largest percentage of weight will be designated the Biggest Winners.

Those interested should call Lesley Jernigan at (813) 757-6677 by Monday to learn about the program specifics and to complete a personal health profile. The entry fee is $200 and space is limited.

Play Auditions Next Week

PLANT CITY - Open auditions for the next production of Plant City Entertainment, the area's community theater, will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Trinkle center on the Plant City campus of Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road.

The play to be cast is a comedy, 'The Mouse That Roared.' Director Tyler Hollis is looking for about 30 people, 15 men and 15 women. The play will be presented Nov. 9-10, 16-17 at the Trinkle center.

The play deals with what happens when a very small European country, facing financial ruin, decides to declare war on the United States, lose that war and then get money from the American government.

Participation in Plant City Entertainment productions is open to all. Membership is not required to audition, but those cast will be expected to join.

For information, call Hollis at (813) 503-7993.

Festival Swine Show Drawing Monday

PLANT CITY - The drawing for the 2008 Florida Strawberry Festival swine show and sale will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the expo building on the festival grounds. A total of 75 hogs will be drawn from the entries received. All exhibitors must attend the drawing and failure to be there by 7 p.m. will be cause for elimination.

For information, call the chairman, Jon Poppell, (813) 752-4155.

Kids Night Out Is Tonight

PLANT CITY - Kids Night Out for those 6 to 11 will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St.

The Back to School Jam will feature music, games, crafts and refreshments. Cost is $5 per person at the door.

Hospice Volunteer Training Starts Sept. 22

PLANT CITY - LifePath Hospice is seeking volunteers in Hillsborough County to assist patients and their families. Trained volunteers provide emotional support, companionship and respite care. Training is free and medical experience is not needed.

The three-part training is scheduled for Sept. 22, 29 and Oct. 1 at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St.. The Sept. 22 and 29 sessions run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Oct. 1 session runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Prospective volunteers must attend all three sessions, and registration is required. Call Leslie Black at (813) 984-2307 or e-mail blackl@lifepath-hospice.org to register or for information.

LifePath Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit hospice that serves Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Correspondent Betty Briggs contributed to this column. Columnist Barbara Kent reports on community news. Items submitted must include a telephone number. Send a fax to (813) 865-4441 or mail to Neighbors, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563.

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