Theatre Palisades Presents Annual Awards Show

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

In 2020, Theatre Palisades virtually handed out its annual awards to those involved with the four shows of the season, which was shortened due to COVID-19-related closures.

This year, thanks to amended and lifted restrictions, masked theatergoers were able to gather in Pierson Playhouse for a variety show and to see who took home awards in 2021.

“The Show Must Go On Awards,” which were created to honor individuals who came forward to help Theatre Palisades survive in “extraordinary times and critical situations,” were bestowed upon seven people.

Cindie Wright Banks received an award for “keeping the building well tuned and the lights turned on,” including paying bills. Charmaine Glennon, Theatre Palisades’ treasurer, was awarded for “her great bean counting skills.”

After being on call for theater emergencies, as well as cleaning, organizing and sorting, Sherman Wayne was honored with an award. Martha Hunter received an award for keeping the Theatre Palisades Actors’ Troupe active via Zoom over the course of more than 70 virtual meetings on Sundays.

Mitchell Feinstein and Julia Feinstein Adams received awards for posting the Theatre Palisades newsletter each week: “without fail.” Diane Grant received an award for being the playhouse’s “warm and welcoming smile at the box office and on the phone.”

The final award was given to Diane Goldberg, who took on the responsibility of weeding, watering and pruning the grounds while the theater remained dark.

Prior to the awards being handed out, Theatre Palisades conducted its annual meeting, which included a brief update from President Philip Bartolf, who provided information on what members have been up to while the theater remained closed for in-person shows.

Two members, Holly Sidell and Feinstein, performed one-person shows that were featured as part of The Hollywood Fringe Festival. Theatre Palisades Youth recently completed a two-week, sold-out run of “Aladdin JR.” with shows on an outdoor stage set up at Temescal Gateway Park.

Bartolf shared that Theatre Palisades will begin its next season with “Wait Until Dark” on August 27, which was the last scheduled show before the pandemic-related shutdown began in 2020.

“We hope that it will have a very successful run,” he said.

He also reported updates that took place over the past year at the theater, including new filters in the air conditioning, new floors in the green room and rehearsal space, and a revamped Theatre Palisades website.

Glennon followed Bartolf during the meeting portion of the evening to share updates about the theater’s finances: The organization received its largest donation to date of $343,211, which was made post-mortem by Evelyn Z. Smith.

It was reported that Smith divided her estate between several area organizations, including the theater, leaving it in an “exceptionally strong” fiscal position, Bartolf said—especially given recent closures.

As the meeting concluded, the variety show kicked off with a glittered and sequined beginning of “On With The Show – This Is It,” performed by Theatre Palisades Actors’ Troupe. Other highlights were Douglas Green reprising a reworked cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” renamed “TP Pandemic Song,” and nine members of the actors’ troupe on stage with black screens, mimicking a virtual meeting in “Being on the Zoom.”

Those who attended were also treated to preview scenes from “Wait Until Dark” and “Comedy of Tenors,” which will be the two shows featured in the upcoming season at Pierson Playhouse. Following a performance of “Garbage Bags” by Yvonne Robertson and a video of snippets of “Aladdin JR.” the evening concluded with a finale performance by troupe members of “This Is It!”