DM Playhouse to Host 2017 Dionysos Awards This Summer

Join the Des Moines Community Playhouse for the 2016-17 Dionysos Awards on Sunday, July 23. The Dionysos Awards celebrates the contributions of more than 1,700 individuals, giving 77,000 hours annually as actors, backstage crews, and front-of-house volunteers.

The evening begins with a social at 5:30 PM. The awards presentation follows at 6:30 PM in the Mainstage auditorium. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, go online to dmplayhouse.com.

The Dionysos Awards annually recognizes backstage, front-of-house, and education volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to the recently completed season. Actors nominated by audiences and chosen by season ticket holders are announced.

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Acting nominees are:

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Mainstage Musical
Rocco Contini as Tony in "West Side Story"
Demarius Fisher as Franz Klinemann in "Rock of Ages"
Charlie Reese as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Andrew Rubenbauer as Drew in "Rock of Ages"
Brett Spahr as Igor in "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Adam Yankowy as The Monster in "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Mainstage Musical
PaTricia Arvanis as Inga in "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Mary Bricker as Frau Blucher in "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Kirsten Brown as Maria in "West Side Story"
Tiffany Flory as Anita in "West Side Story"
Jackie Schmillen as ElizaBeth Benning in "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein"
Hannah Stibbe as Sherrie in "Rock of Ages"

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Mainstage Play
Greg Blumhagen as George Wilson in "The Great Gatsby"
Benjamin Sheridan as Nick Carraway in "The Great Gatsby"
Matthew Phillip Smith as Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby"

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Mainstage Play
Debra Garner as Clairee in "Steel Magnolias"
Gina Gedler as Ouiser in "Steel Magnolias"
Shelby Jensen as JorDan Baker in "The Great Gatsby"
Sherryl Viars as Truvy in "Steel Magnolias"

Outstanding Performance by a Youth Actor in a Family Musical
Carson Doss as Augustus Gloop in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Jack Gabby as Oompa Loompa in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Kyle Kloppe as Mike Teavee in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Torien Reynolds as Oompa Loompa in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"

Outstanding Performance by an Adult Actor in a Family Musical
Lonnie C. Appleby as Candy Man in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Brad D. Church as Willy Wonka in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Darren Grote as Grandpa Joe in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Andrew Overton as Lionel in "Fancy Nancy The Musical"

Outstanding Performance by a Youth Actress in a Family Musical
Natalie Grote as Veruca Salt in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Paige Fahrenkrug as Rhonda in" Fancy Nancy The Musical"
Ellie Miglin ad Charlie Bucket in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Julia Polson as Wanda in "Fancy Nancy The Musical"

Outstanding Performance by an Adult Actress in a Family Musical
Alexis Ananda Cole as Bree in "Fancy Nancy The Musical"
Melody Derogatis as Mrs. Gloop in "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka"
Sarah Hinzman as Mom in "Fancy Nancy The Musical"
Maddie Ripperger as Nancy in "Fancy Nancy The Musical"

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Kate Goldman Children's Theatre Play
Alexander Baker as Benny in "The Boxcar Children"
Michael Cunningham as Stanley Yelnats in "Holes"
Cael Fitch as Howie Kemp in "Ramona Quimby"
Isaac Helton as Henry in "The Boxcar Children"
Jarhon Hill as Zero in "Holes"

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Kate Goldman Children's Theatre Play
Meridan Boyd as Beezus Quimby in "Ramona Quimby"
Katie Dorrell as Aunt Bea in "Ramona Quimby"
Paige Fahrenkrug as Jessie in "The Boxcar Children"
Caroline Holmes as Violet in "The Boxcar Children"
Tatum Lowell as Ramona Quimby in "Ramona Quimby"

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The Playhouse, now in its 99th season, is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about the Playhouse and the Dionysos Awards, contact the Playhouse at 515-974-5358.

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