RIVER CITY PLAYERS PRESENT ANNUAL ABBOT AWARDS

Honoring the best works of an outstanding 1998-99 theater season, the River City Players presented their annual Abbott awards Nov. 6.

Named for long-time director Ann Abbott, the awards included best actor and actress ins tarring and supporting roles, best director, best technical achievement, and the "unsung hero" award.

Marty and David Koeller of Jackson were among the award-winners for the largely Jackson-manned troupe.

Dan Finch and Jeff Statler won Best Actor in a Leading Role honors for their portrayals of the rival attorneys in "Night of January 16th," which was staged in June.

The other nominees were Jeff Jackson as Norman Thayer in "On Golden Pond;" Jake Martin as Harold Dolefson in "Let Him Sleep Till It's Time For His Funeral;" and David Hopper as Leon Tolchinsky in "Fools."Best Across in a Leading Role went to Stacey Storey as defendant Karen Adre in "Night of January 16th." Others nominated were Elaine Carlson as Ethyl Thayer in "On Golden Pond;" Ellen Dillon as the Reverend Mother in "Nunsense;" Lori Prewitt as Edna Dolefson in "Let Him Sleep Till It's Time For His Funeral" and Sarah Semmler as Sophia in "Fools."Best Actor in a Supporting Role honors went Jackson's David Koeller as Billy, Jr., in "On Golden Pond." Also nominated were Jackson's Joe Sherinski as Russ Westmore in "Let Him Sleep Till It's time For His Funeral;" Champ Friend as Officer Sweeney in "Night of January 16th" and Mike Manning as the magistrate in "Fools."Debbie Barning, who played Ruby the gangster moll in "Night of January 16th," won Best Actress in a Supporting Role honors. Other nominees were Megwyn Sander as Chelsea in "On Golden Pond;" Anna Ruggiero as Sister Hubert in "Nunsense;" Camille Otteson as Millie Westmore in "Let Him Sleep Till It's Time For His Funeral" and LeeAnne Statler as Mrs. Zubritski in "Fools."Best Director honors went to Chuck Ross and Stacey Storey for the musical-comedy "Nunsense." Also nominated were Steve Rupel and Stephanie Williams for "On Golden Pond;" Jackson's Ann Swanson and Marty Koeller for "Let Him Sleep Till It's Time For His Funeral;" Chuck Ross and Suzanne Scherer for "Night of January 16th" and Swanson and Koeller for "Fools."Best Technical Achievement honors went to Charlie Kent for set design in "Fools." Also nominated were George Kraleman for set design on "On Golden Pond;" Raina Childers for choreography in "Nunsense" and Jake Martin for lights and sound in "Let Him Sleep Till It's Time For His Funeral."The Unsung Hero Award, which goes to the person behind the scenes who has done the most to promote community theater in Cape Girardeau, went to Marty Koeller, who took over the RCP newsletter. Others in the running were Bill Dunn, publicity director; Dennis Seyer, advisor; Ken Petty, River City Times and Doc Cain, Port Cape Girardeau."Generally it was a very successful season," Swanson said. "We had an excellent turnout for virtually all the performances. The Board of Directors is certainly very appreciative of support the community has shown in the past year. That support is what enables us to expand to four shows next year."The 1998-99 productions were:* "On Golden Pond" -- February, 1998. Steve Rupel directed this Ernest Thompson classic at Mark Antony's restaurant in the Plaza Galleria. He was assisted by Stephanie Wiliams. Jeff Jackson played Norman Thayer, with Elaine Carlson portraying Ethyl Thayer. Megwyn Sanders was Chelsea, Rupel was Billy, Sr., David Koeller was Billy, Jr., and Shannon Smith was Charlie the mailman.* "Nunsense" -- September, 1998. Chuck Ross directed this musical comedy at the Cape Girardeau Country Club and the Yacht Club at Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant. He was assisted by Stacey Storey. Ellen Dillon played the Reverend Mother, with Anna Ruggiero, Kim Westrich, Lori Prewitt and Megwyn Sanders appearing as sisters.* "Let Him Sleep Till It's Time For His Funeral" -- February, 1999. Ann Swanson and Marty Koeller directed this comedy of miscommunication at the River City Yacht Club. Jake Martin and Prewitt played Harold and Edna Dolefson, while Amanda Koeller played their daughter, Elizabeth. Joe Sherinski and Camille Otteson played their neighbors, Russ and Millie Westmore. Port Cape's Dale Pruitt appeared as Mr. Jansen.* "Night of January 16" -- June, 1999. Chuck Ross directed this Ayn Rand courtroom drama with an audience-determined ending, at the River City Yacht Club. Bill Bader played the judge, while Dan Finch and Jeff Statler were the attorneys. Storey was the accused murderer, Karen Andre, while Matt Owens was the coroner; Elaine Carlson the handwriting expert; Mike Manning a P.I.; LeAnne Statler the housekeeper, Champ Friend Officer Sweeney; Gelainie Lockhart widow Nancy Faulkner; Brock Schreckenborg wealthy John Graham Whitfield; David Hopper office worker Simon Rhenquist; Kevin Wright gangster Larry Regan; Debbie Barning mob girlfriend Ruby van Renselear.* "Fools" -- August, 1999. This nonsensical Neil Simon comedy was directed by Ann Swanson and Marty Koeller, in the River City Yacht Club. Set in a Ukrainian village in the 1880s, it starred David Hopper as school teacher Leon Tolchinsky; Sarah Semmler as young Sophia Zubritski; Jeff and LeAnne Statler as her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Zubritski; David Koeller as Snitsky the Sheep Loser; Manning as the magistrate; Nick Ryan as Slovitch the butcher; Joe Gibbs as Mishkin the postman; Terri Tate as Yecka the vendor; and Friend as Count Gregor Yousekevitch.