‘The Dixie Swim Club’ wins during Irving Awards

The Eunice Players’ Theatre hosted its 47th annual Irving Awards Saturday evening at the Liberty Theater.
The productions honored as part of the 47th season included “The Complete Works Of Shakespeare (Abridged),” “The Dixie Swim Club,” and Agatha Christie’s “Black Coffee.”
Entertainment was provided by dancers from Michelle’s School of Dance. The emcee for the evening was Gabe Ortego.
Racking up the most awards was September’s play, “The Dixie Swim Club,” directed by Jody L. Powell.
The play was about the story of former college teammates who gather for an annual visit at a beach house to catch up with each other, relive their glory days, and recharge their relationships. The humorous story revealed how some friendships last forever, proving the enduring power of teamwork.
“The Dixie Swim Club” won Best Set, which included Brett Faulkner, Shawn Darbonne, Ashton Eckholdt and Sammy Lamonte.
Other awards “The Dixie Swim Club” won were Best Lighting and Sound with Kristi Burleigh, Rick Nesbitt, Gabe Ortego and Josh Stover; Best Hair and Make-up with Paige Dupre and Tiffany Johnson.
The Best Supporting Actress recipient for her role in “The Dixie Swim Club” went to Jerica Guillory as Vernadette Simms. Other nominees included Delinda Lafleur as Dinah Grayson and Patina W. Mitchell as Jeri Neal McFeely of the “Dixie Swim Club”; Cathy Dischler as Miss Caroline Amory of “Black Coffee” and Ashley Sittig as Barbara Amory of “Black Coffee.”
The Best Actress award went to Kelly P. Bertrand as Lexie Richards in “The Dixie Swim Club”. Other nominees included Emily Heinen as Sheree Hollinger of “The Dixie Swim Club”; and Kristi Burleigh in “Black Coffee” as Lucia Amory.
The Best Director award went to Jody L. Powell of “The Dixie Swim Club.” Other best director nominees included Bonnie Pitre Kyzar in “Shakespeare (Abridged)”; and Brett Faulkner, director of “Black Cofffee.”
Winning The Best Show of the season was “The Dixie Swim Club.”
Best Costumes went to Cathy Dischler, Suzanne LaHaye, Kristi Burleigh, Diana Burleigh, Ching Wasmuth and Liz Bryan for “Shakespeare (Abridged).”
The Best Supporting Actor award went to Gabe Ortego as Juliet, Lavinia Andronicus, Ophelia in “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged).” Other nominees included Will Rougeau as Tredwell in “Black Coffee”; Gabe Ortego as Edward Raynor in “Black Coffee;” Casey Harmon as Sir Claud Armory; John Kittles as Capt. Arthur Hastings, OBE; Randy Fontenot as Dr. Graham, and Wesley Saunders as Inspector Japp, all cast in “Black Coffee.”
Van Reed, as Hamlet, Titus, Marc Anthony; in “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” won for the Best Actor. Kevin Miller played the part of Romeo, Julius Ceasar, Richard III, in this production, was also nominated. Other nominees included Nathaniel Clark as Richard Armory and Jimmy Broussard as Hercule Poirot, both in “Black Coffee.”
Season tickets for the 48th season are now on sale, and one can contact David Manuel at David’s Hair at 337-546-0163.
The season opener, “Play On!” will be presented in April, directed by Annette Harrington, and Jimmy Broussaard.
Other plays will include “Red, White & Tuna” to be presented in June, directed by Ching Wasmuth; and “Christmas Belles”, predicted in November, directed by Kristi Burleigh and Annette Harrington.
For more information about the season, follow the theatre on its facebook page.