The Eunice Players’ Theatre hosted its 48th annual Irving Awards Saturday evening at the Liberty Theater.
The play productions honored as part of the 48th season included “Play On,” “Red, White & Tuna” and “Christmas Belles.”
Entertainment was provided by dancers from Oliva Dodd’s Studio of Dance. The dancers performed to the musical, “All That Jazz.” The emcee for the evening was Gabe Ortego.
The Irving singers sang a fitting tune of “Atchafayla Freedom” to the Irvings theme of Mardi Gras.
Racking up the most awards and winning The Best Play of 2017 was November’s play, “Christmas Belles,” directed by Kristi Burleigh and Annette Harrington.
The play was a comedy starring the Futrelle sisters, Frankie, Twink and Honey Raye. The scene featured Christmas time in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle sisters were not exactly in a festive mood. A cranky Frankie is weeks overdue with her second set of twins. Twink, recently jilted and bitter about it, is in jail for inadvertenly burning down half the town. And the plot thickened as different comedy scenarios continued.
Winning the Best Set was “Christmas Belles” with Robert Soileau, Duncan McBride, Adam Jackson and Amelia Vidrine Smith.
Best Lighting & Sound went to the play “Red, White & Tuna,” with Jody L. Powell and Michael Sanchez.
Best Costumes award went to Joan Cotner of “Christmas Belles.”
April Miller won Best Hair & Makeup with “Christmas Belles”.
Best Supporting Actress coveted trophy went to Suzanne LaHaye as Patsy in “Christmas Belles”.
The Best Supporting Actor went to Wil Rougeau as Smitty/Dorian in “Play On.”
Amy Rider as Honey in “Christmas Belles” won The Best Actress award.
The Best Actor trophy went to Van Reed as Many Charactors in “Red, White & Tuna.”
The Best Director award went to Ching Wasmuth, as she directed “Red, White & Tuna.”
The entire cast and production members of The Best Play “Christmas Belles” included Robert Soileau, Duncan McBride, Adam Jackson, Amelia Vidrine Smith, Jody L. Powell, Mickaila Mier, Joan Cotner, April Miller, Sharon Blankenship, Ashley Sittig, Megan Broussard, Suzanne LaHaye, Seth Jones, Amy Rider, Alison Manuel, Adrienne Miller, Brett Faulkner, Johnny Deshotel, Kristi Burleigh and Annette Harrington.
Recognized and honored during the awards ceremony were the summer cast members of “Law And Order-Fairy Tale Unit,” directed by Jody L. Powell.
Season tickets for the 49th season are now on sale, and one can contact and purchase with David Manuel at David’s Hair at 546-0163.
The season opener, “A Comedy of Tenors,” directed by Jody L. Powell, will open in March.
Other plays will include “Baskerville,” directed by Gabe Ortego and Kristi Burleigh, to open in September.
For more information about the season, follow the theatre on its facebook page.
