2008-2009 Award Winners Announced

The Thibodaux Playhouse recently hosted its Awards Banquet for the 2008-2009 season.

Best Show was awarded to director Blake M. Petit for his production of “Bless Me Father”:

Craig Hebert (08-09 TP Vice President) presents the Best Show Award to Blake M. Petit, Director of "Bless Me Father"

2008-2009 "Best Show" present cast and crew "Bless Me Father"

Best Female Lead was awarded to Yvette Bilello:

Sheela Plater (Director) presents the Best Female Lead Award to Yvette Bilello for her role as “Lotty Wilton” in “Enchanted April”

Best Make Lead was awarded to Arthur LeJeune Jr.:

Janis Lasseigne presents Arthur LeJeune Jr. with the Best Male Lead Award for his role of "Father Richard" in "Bless Me Father"

Best Supporting Female was awarded to Daphne Hebert:

Mel Boudoin presents the Best supporting Female Award to Daphne Hebert for her role as "Mrs. Murphy" in "Bless Me Father"

Best Supporting Male was awarded to Tom Simons and Dan Ruiz Salvatura:

Joel Champagne presents the Best Supporting Actor Award to Tom Simons for his role as "Bishop Bungy" in "Bless Me Father"

Joel Champagne presents the Best Supporting Actor Award to Dan Ruiz Salvatura for his role as "Reverend Oglethorpe" in "Sanders' Family Christmas"

2008-2009 Best Actors and Actress winners

Janus Awards were given out to Angela Hammerli and Janis Lasseigne:

Martha Hodnett (TP President) presents the Janus Award to Angela Hammerli and Janis Lasseigne for their years of service to the playhouse

Peoples’ Choice Awards:

Blake M. Petit (Director) presents the Peoples' Choice Award to Earl LeBlanc (not present) for his role as "Father Charles" in "Bless Me Father"

Heather Petit Keller (Director) presents Blake M. Petit with the Peoples' Choice Award for his role as "Walter Hollander" in "Don't Drink the Water"

Sheela Plater (Director) presents the Peoples' Choice Award to Yvette Bilello for her role as "Lotty" in "Enchanted April"

Bert Boquet (Director) presents the Peoples' Choice Award to Dan Ruiz Salvatura for his role as "Reverend Oglethorpe" in "Sanders' Family Christmas"

TrooperAwards:

Mary Bollinger and Tom Simons (Producers) present the Trooper Award to Paul Cook for his work on "Bless Me Father"

Heather Petit Keller (Director) presents the Trooper Award to Paul Cook and Westley Annis (not present) for their work on "Don't Drink the Water"

Sheela Plater (Director) presents the Trooper Award to Treva Breaux and Aiyana Ambrose for their work on "Enchanted April"

Janis Lasseigne (Producer) presents Leila Wesche and Bonnie Bourgeois (not present) the Trooper Award for their work on "Sanders' Family Christmas"

For more images from the 2008-2009 awards banquet, please join us on Facebook by searching “Thibodaux Playhouse”

Nominations 2008-2009 Season

Thibodaux Playhouse has announced the nominations for the 2008-2009 season.

Male Leads 
Arthur LeJeune, Jr., as Father Richard in "Bless Me Father"
Todd Keller, as Fredrick Arnott in "Enchanted April"
Blake Petit as Walter Hollander in "Don't Drink the Water" 

Female Leads 
Yvette Bilello as Lotty Wilton in "Enchanted April"
Clara Arceneaux as Susan Hollander in "Don't Drink the Water" 

Supporting Male Roles 
Thomas Simons as Bishop Bungy in "Bless Me Father''
Doug Holloway as Anthony Wilding in "Enchanted April"
Westley Anis as Father Drobney in "Don't Drink the Water"
Thomas Simons as Ambassador Magee "Don't Drink the Water"
Nick Guillot as Kilroy in "Don't Drink the Water"
Paul Cook as Chef in "Don't Drink the Water"
Dan Ruiz Salvatura as Pastor Oglethorpe in "Sander Family Christmas" 

Supporting Female Roles 
Daphne Hebert as Mrs. Murphy in "Bless Me Father"
Merlyn Foret as Mrs. Graves in "Enchanted April"
Erica Annis as Mrs. Burns in "Don't Drink the Water"
Toni Lynn Guidry as Denise Sanders in "Sander Family Christmas" 

The Choice for our Best play of our 49th Season: 
 "Bless Me Father"
"Enchanted April"
"Don't Drink the Water"
"Sanders Family Christmas"

The Awards Ceremony will be held on December 8th. 
Congratulations to all of the nominees.

Presenting….

Meet the Cast: Sanders’ Family Christmas

Dan Ruiz Salvatura (Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe) was last seen as another man of the cloth, Father Flynn, in John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt at Houma Little Theatre, for which he received the People’s Choice and Esther Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Visitors to the area’s newest theatre, Bayou Playhouse in Lockport, may also recognize Dan as Henri, the visiting French Cousin, from Anne Galjour’s Okra, directed by Perry Martin. A graduate of LSU with a BA in Theatre and an MFA in Directing from the University of Portland, Dan is currently a Talented Theatre teacher at Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish. He also serves as the co-sponsor of the school’s Drama Club and Director of the International Thespian Society Troupe #7313.  He is happy to make his Thibodaux Playhouse debut with the delightful Sanders Family Singers.

Donovan Bourgeois (Burl Sanders) – returns to the stage after a long hiatus.  He is ecstatic to return to his role of Burl, for whom he portrayed in Smoke on the Mountain, the prequel to this show.  In the past, he has performed in many productions.  He formerly served on the Board of Directors, and served in the capacity of Treasurer of the board.  To help pay his bills in his real life, he is a Financial Controller for Odyssea Marine Inc.  He sends all his love to the girls in his life, Valerie, Erica, and Allie, for their patience and understanding during his absence over the past several weeks due to this production.  He dedicates this performance to the men and women of our armed services, who have served our country, from the days of Pearl Harbor through the current world conflicts.

Mary Lanier LeJeune (Vera Sanders) – Mary, a Morgan City native, was first introduced to Thibodaux Playhouse with the prequel to this show, Smoke on the Mountain.  Since then we have seen her in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten , The 3-D Radio Show, The Fantastics, and The Pajama Game (Trooper Award).  Other recent productions Mary has been involved in are The Sound of Music, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and The Miracle Worker with the Teche Theatre in Franklin.  Mary is a NSU graduate with a BA in education and MEd in counselor education employed as a counselor for the St. Mary Parish school system and also works as an accompanist and piano teacher.  She’d like to thank her husband, Richard and her children, Sean and Bailey Grace for their love and support in this endeavor with a special thanks to Joyce Young for her encouragement to be a part of this show.

Paul Cook has appeared in various plays and musicals in Houma, Thibodaux and New Orleans – most recently in Thibodaux Playhouse’s “Don’t Drink The Water,” “Bless Me Father” and “Lucky Stiff.” He was also seen in Rivertown Repertory Theater’s “Arsenic and Old Lace” and he is a member of the Nicholls Players. He is currently a public relations senior at Nicholls State University, and the advertising manager of the Nicholls Worth student newspaper. He would like to thank Daniel and the boys for making his life complete and supporting him in both his education in school and the theater.

Toni Lynn Guidry (Denise Sanders): This is Toni’s fifth time acting on the Thibodaux Playhouse stage. Her previous roles include “Florence” (People’s Choice Award) in The Odd Couple-female version, “Annabel” (Best Lead Actress Award) in Lucky Stiff- the musical, ”Kathy” in The Last Five Years, and most recently “Lady Caroline” in Enchanted April. She has also acted, directed, produced, and stage managed at several other theaters including The Sam and Jim Acting Company, Nicholls Players, Bayou Playhouse, and Thibodaux Playhouse Dinner Theatre. She holds a BA Degree in Vocal Music from Nicholls State University.

Meredith Peltier (June Sanders): This is  Meredith’s second  time  working  with  the  Thibodaux Playhouse.  She was  previously  seen as  “Ermengarde” in  Hello Dolly.  She was  also  in  several Loyola  productions  including   Dentity Crisis  and  To the Chicago  Abyss. She  is  happy  to  be returning  to the Thibodaux stage.

Ethan Rodrigue (Dennis Sanders): Ethan is  a  senior  at  E.D.White  and  has  taken   two years  of classes as  a  musical  theater  student at  the New Orleans  Center  for  Creative  Arts.  He is president of both  the EDW  concert choir  and  Drama club  and  has  performed  with the  District  and  All  State  choirs.    His  most  recent  shows  include  Charlie Brown at  EDW  and  The  Sound  of  Music at  Le Petit  in  Houma.   Ethan  grew up doing  shows  with  the Thibodaux Playhouse Children’s  theater  and  is so excited  to  be  back on  this  stage.  He  would like  to thank  his family, especially  his  mother, for  their constant help and support.

Coming Soon!

Final Round Auditions!!! Children’s Summer Workshop!!!

THE THIBODAUX PLAYHOUSE, INC

ANNOUNCES

FINAL AUDITIONS FOR THE

CHILDREN’S SUMMER MUSICAL

THE MAD ADVENTURES OF MR. TOAD

Based on The Wind and the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Play by Vera Morris

Music and Lyrics by Scott DeTurk

Directed by Dr. Stanley Coleman

WHEN:                                     Monday and Tuesday, June 1^st and 2^nd, 2009

 

WHERE:                                   The Jean Lafitte Wetlands Cultural Center

Theatre,  314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux

WHAT TIME:                           10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.

Rehearsals:                             Beginning June 1^st, rehearsals will be held

Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. till

2:30 p.m., except, Fridays, when we will finish

rehearsals at 12:00 noon. They will be held at

The Jean Lafitte Wetlands Cultural Center

Theatre each day except Wednesday, when we

will meet at the Thibodaux Playhouse Building,

“The Temple” at 1120 Caroline St., Thibodaux.

PERFORMANCES:                    June 24, 25, 26, at 7:00 p.m. and June 27^th and

28^th at 2:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE:                      Please note: There will be a $75 fee this year for each

youth who wishes to participate. The fee covers

registration, the theatre workshop, costume, make-up

and a T-shirt.  The age range for participants is 8 years

of age and older, through high school. Checks should be

made payable to the Thibodaux Playhouse, Inc., and we

hope to have a few confidential scholarships available

for any youth whose families cannot afford the fee.

Auditions!!! Children’s Theatre Workshop

Thibodaux Playhouse Inc. announces auditions for  the 2009 Children’s Summer Musical: The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad

Based on The Wind and the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Play by Vera Morris

Music and Lyrics by Scott DeTurk

Directed by Dr. Stanley Coleman. 

Auditions: May 2nd, 10 AM to 12 Noon at The Wetlands Center in Thibodaux.

Beginning June 1st, rehearsals will be held Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 2:30 PM, except Fridays, when we will finish at 12 Noon. They will be at the Jean Lafitte Wetlands Cultural Center each day except Wednesday, when we will meet at the Thibodaux Playhouse rehearsal hall (The Temple) at 1120 Caroline Street in Thibodaux.

Performances: June 24th, 25th, 26th at 7:00 p.m.  & June 27th, 28th at 2:00 p.m.

Please Note: There will be a $75 fee this year for each youth who wishes to participate. The fee covers registration, the theatre workshop, costume, make-up and a t-shirt. The age range for participants is 8 years and older, through high school. Checks should be made payable to Thibodaux Playhouse, Inc.

For more information, call: 446-1896

Just Wrapped Up: “Enchanted April”

Thibodaux Playhouse would like to congratulate Yvette Bilello who won the People’s Choice Award for her performance in Enchanted April.

The show was a huge success and TPI would like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work. We’d also like to thank the National Park Service and our loyal patrons for your continuing support.

AUDITIONS!!!!! Sanders’ Family Christmas

It’s Christmas in July!

Thibodaux Playhouse announces Auditions for its final show of the 2008-2009 season: Sanders’ Family Christmas!

In this sequel to the ever popular hit, “Smoke on the Mountain,” (TPI 2003), the Sanders Family returns to Mount Pleasant, NC. It’s Christmas Eve, 1941 and they are invited to sing and witness at the local Baptist Church. More than two-dozen Christmas carols, many of them vintage hymns, and hilarious yuletide stories will leave you singing and filled with cheer.

April 27 & 28 7:00 PM
TPI Rehearsal Hall
1120 Caroline Street
Thibodaux, LA

Performances will be: July 9th-12th & July 16th-19th, 2009.  All performances are at 7:30 PM except for the Sunday performances, which are 2 Pm Matinees.

Meet the Cast: “Enchanted April”

Yvette Bilello (Lotty Wilton): Yvette has acted off and on since high school in community theater and college, as well as taken some courses. She is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to play the role of “Lotty” and has enjoyed working on it with her cast members and crew. She would like to thank her wonderful husband, Mark, for staying home with their teething baby, Joshua, during the rehearsals and run of this show. She knows they had some great bonding time and loves both of them very much. Hope y’all enjoy the show!

Damon Stentz (Mellersh Wilton): When asked to play a lawyer, how could Damon say no? That’s what he does for a living. And the British accent? No sweat. He knew watching all those Monty Python episodes as a kid would someday pay off. Although this is only his second performance at the Thibodaux Playhouse (last seen as the Sultan of Bashir in Don’t Drink the Water), he feels like he really fits in here. Damon hopes you enjoy the performance as much as he does.

Blair Degruise (Mellersh Wilton): Blair is a resident of Bayou Blue and will graduating from Nicholls State University in May with a degree in Safety Technology. He is a member of  the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity, NSU chapter. Blair has previously been seen in such shows as The Laramie Project, On Golden Pond, The Absence of a Cello and Arsenic and Old Lace. He is a 1986 graduate of Thibodaux High and served in both the Marine Corps (1987-1993) and the National Guard (1993-2003). He’d like to thank his wife, Patricia and his two children, Elise and Emily for their love and support and also Dr. Stanely Coleman for getting him on stage for the first time.

Adrienne Naquin – Bolton (Rose Arnott): Adrienne grew up in Labadieville and is an alumnus of Nicholls State University. In December, Adrienne received her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from the University of New Orleans. She currently works as a counselor for a local mental health rehabilitation program. Adrienne and her husband, Banjamin, have recently purchased a home in Thibodaux. Although she has had minimal acting experience in grade school and college, this is Adrienne’s first time participating in a play put on by the Thibodaux Playhouse.

Todd Keller (Frederick Arnott): Todd returns to the stage after taking a break to direct Not Now Darlingand Thibodaux Playhouse’s recent dinner theatre production, Three on a Bench. He has previously appeared in Pygmalion, Sylvia, The Nerd, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, and others. A Board Member for TPI in his off-time, Todd is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Nicholls State University and is currently working on his Doctor of Nursing Science degree from LSU Health Sciences Center. “This play is such a joy to work on,” says Todd. “In addition to a terrific script that takes you on an emotional roller coaster from laughter to tears, the cast is one of the best I have ever worked with!”

Toni Lynn Guidry (Caroline Bramble): This is Toni’s fifth time acting on the Thibodaux Playhouse stage. Her previous roles include “Florence” (People’s Choice Award) in The Odd Couple-female version, “Annabel” (Best Lead Actress Award) in Lucky Stiff- the musical, ”Kathy” in The Last Five Years and “Betty” in Three on a Bench. She has also acted, directed, produced, and stage managed at several other theaters including The Sam and Jim Acting Company, Nicholls Players, and Bayou Playhouse. She has a BA Degree in Vocal Music from Nicholls State University.

Doug Holloway (Antony Wilding): Doug Holloway has performed several times at Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne. His last performance there was as “Capt. Von Trapp” in The Sound of Music. Doug is the Clerk/Court Administrator for the City Court of Houma and the proud dad of two teenage daughters. He is excited about his debut performance at Thibodaux Playhouse.

Merlyn Foret (Mrs. Graves): Merlyn’s been doing theatre for more years than she’d care to disclose. She thanks her sweetie, Si, and her family for their love and support. She also wishes to thank cast and crew and Valerie for helping with the British accents. It’s been a total pleasure working with this talented cast, sister included. Thanks to Sheela for casting her as Mrs. Graves. As always, Merlyn thanks God for all things.

Mary Ann Matherne (Constanza): Mary Ann Matherne has been acting for most of her adult life and wishes to thank her husband for supporting her in this endeavor. She wishes to thank Angelina Mitchell for working with her and helping her with the Italian lines. Most of all she thanks God for the gift of this talent and the good health to keep doing it. She’s thrilled to be on stage with her sister, Merlyn. And she thoroughly enjoys the development of her character. She says, “It’s fun to be someone else for a little while.” Her last role was “Marguerite” in John Doucet’s “Taste the Wild,” performed at the Larose Civic Center.