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The New Depot Players returned to their roots on by hosting the sixth annual Linda Wise Awards at the historic Depot on Feb. 9.
The theater group now stages most plays at Center Street Arts, but for many years they performed in the old train depot — hence their name — and would “freeze” dialogue and song when a train thundered past. The Wise Awards, named for their late patron, are Conyers’ answer to the “Tonys.”
Guests and casts mingle and reunite as they honor the talent and dedication required to stage four quality productions per year.
City Councilman and patron Vince Evans and his wife, Cyndi Evans, also named NDP’s Favorite Director, emceed the show, directed traffic and gave a good-natured heckling to presenters and winners via “wrap it up” and “nobody is listening” placards. Another treat of the evening were several live musical performances from past and future shows.
“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” was the night’s big victor. The revived popular comedy took home Best and NDP Favorite Show, Best Director and Supporting Actor for Jay Tyrall, Best Actress Patty Maguire, as well as awards for its costume, staging and lighting design. Amy LeCates was named NDP’s Favorite Female Performer for her work in both “GATPM” and “’Til Beth Do Us Part.”
After accepting the Favorite Male Performer award, the physical and fearless Paul Casola — he cross-dressed for “TBDUP” — said of his involvement with NDP over the years, “When real life stinks, you lose and find yourself at the same time in these roles.”
NDP’s next venture, “The Rabbit Hole,” written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Jay Tryall opens March 7. For more information, visit thenewdepotplayers.com and for full listing of honorees go to rockdalenews.com.
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