by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Shannon Finney
The hottest ticket in town last night was for the black-tie 30th Annual Helen Hayes Awards at the National Building Museum, which theatreWashington presented in a whole new format from the preceding twenty-nine. The show rocked.
The record crowd of 1800 responded to the lowered ticket price ($150) which brought in hundreds of theater-newbies, noticeably younger, perhaps getting their first taste of Washington’s theater world. Instead of the usual cocktail/reception room preceding the awards, presented on a traditional theater stage and followed by an after-shindig, this year it was all one long party.
Award presentations, given out in one corner of the vast hall, were also visible on huge screens around the room so no one had to stop partying to see them. And party they did.
To encourage them were two free-flowing, well-stocked bars (but with long lines) and tables with the usual party food, plus duck-stuffed pastries, smoked salmon complete with all the seldom-seen accompaniments (herbed sour cream, finely chopped onions, sieved hard-cooked egg yolk and capers) and delectable little crisp-crusted pizza wedges.
Purists decried the noise during the awards, but all enjoyed the booze and schmooze-with-the actors, who partied, too. The innovative set-up was a bit of a risk for theatreWashington, but it may well bring a new wave of theatre-goers.
“Theatre is sexy. Be seduced” was a tempting theme, especially as the eighty-eight venues provide theaters near “you” in the Greater Washington Area, and prices don’t break the bank.
Three singer, Rachel Zampellli, Ashleigh King and Sam Ludwig opened the three-act, two intermission presentations with lyrics tailored to the occasion “You wanted more party, it’s five hours long.” As a boon to stiletto-shod women during those five hours, comfortable plush slippers monogrammed HH were available for $5.00.
Theatre artists―from all categories of those who bring the productions into being including the actors—numbered 185 who were up for awards.
Celebrity Cruises, who sponsored the nautical-themed VIP room, also provided two cruise tickets for the raffle and announced a theatreWashington partnership for a Theater Cruise now being planned for this year.
The mother-daughter-team of Adele Robey and Julia Robey Christian who established the Anacostia Playhouse were presented the Washington Post Award for Innovative Leadership in the Theatre Community. Founded in 2002 by Adele and her husband Bruce, they had an early success with the H Street Playhouse in Northeast Washington.
In presenting the award, Steve Hills, president and General Manager of the Washington Post said “The Robey’s helped transform the H Street neighborhood using quality, cutting edge theater performance as an anchor for change.
Linda Levy, President and CEO of theatre Washington, added that theatres can anchor and revitalize neighborhoods, saying that what the Robeys are now doing in Anacostia demonstrates how theatre impacts the actual composition of our community.
The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company, named for the longtime theatre supporter, was presented to the Pointless Theatre Company. The award recognizes groups that show great promise and bring new ideas and energy to the Washington theatre scene. Pointless Theatre merges ensemble work, puppetry and vivid stage design.
Victor Shargai
Victor Shargai, a longtime theatre Washington Board Chairman and a beloved and vital influence on the area’s artistic community, was honored with the Helen Hayes Tribute.
His commitment to the arts began with his own varied professional career, commemorated with a video on his life shown at Monday’s event.
While still a teenager, he took acting and dancing lessons and auditioned for Broadway and worked in radio plays and summer stock. While studying in England in his college days, he worked on BBC television and onstage at the prestigious Old Vic, going on to spend a week with Bertolt Brecht’s Berliner Ensemble, seeing the original production of Mother Courage.
Costume design came next, and he worked with the top Broadway legends before moving to Washington with John Aniello. He began an interior design career with John in the early 1970’s. He has designed for Colin and Alma Powell, Jim Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn and other Washington society figures while serving as an advisor on White House renovations.
He has served on many local theatre and arts boards, benefitting them with his artistic expertise and business acumen. theatre Washington’s Linda Levy paid tribute to his influence, saying “Victor made our work possible for the last thirty years. His unflagging energy, and his high spirits have kept us inspired and given us the stamina to go the extra mile.”
Underscoring the tremendous growth of the theatre in Washington, Shargai told the audience “There were only three theatres when I came here. I didn’t miss any productions. Now the explosion of theatres has created a very difficult condition for anyone who loves theatre,” speaking of the time it takes to organize his theatre calendar and so as not to miss anything.
The prestigious Helen Hayes Tribute, which has been granted James Earl Jones, EdwardAlbee, Kevin Spacey and Derek Jacobi among others, is truly merited by Victor Shargai, because of the inspiration he has been to other artists, his personal generosity of spirit and his charisma.
