Maryann Lopinto Wins Seth Sikes Award

In an awards ceremony at New York's 13th Street Repertory Theater, Maryann Lopinto has been presented with the "Seth Sikes Award," honoring her 50 years of service to cabaret and theater communities.

"The award--named after a respected artist, Seth Sikes, who has made his mark in both cabaret and theater--recognizes exceptional service, behind the scenes, to both the cabaret and theater communities. And no one has quietly helped more people in cabaret and theater--year after year, decade after decade--than Maryann Lopinto," declared playwright/director/producer Chip Deffaa, in presenting the award.

"Maryann has helped so many people in so many different ways, we felt her 50th anniversary in the business ought to be celebrated. There are many awards to honor stars. But we felt it's also important to honor people who might not be known outside of the business, but provide invaluable assistance in making things run. Maryann knows everyone in the business, and at one time or another has helped seemingly everyone. We're all in her debt."

Lopinto has helped to cover and promote cabaret and theater as a writer and photographer. Her photos have graced books, articles, and web sites. And--in countless productions--she has held a wide array of backstage jobs: stage manager, company manager, production assistant, house manager, props master, personal assistant, and more.

Deffaa noted: "When she's helped in shows of mine, it did not matter what specific title she had--stage manager, company manager--whatever! The truth was, if there was any job that needed to be done at a given moment, she'd do it. She can do anything, and she works with good cheer--never any 'attitude.' On shows of mine like 'The Seven Little Foys' and 'The George M. Cohan Revue,' she was officially our 'stage manager,' but she actually helped with everything from taking new headshots for actors, to helping dress our set, to steaming costumes. She can handle any job in the theater. She's done everything from water plants for Barbara Cook to provide extra laughs for Joan Rivers. Cabaret star Mark Nadler spoke for many of us when he wrote a song in her honor, 'I Love a Lopinto.'"

noted that 50 years ago, a young Joan Rivers took Lopinto with her to sit in the audience and laugh at her jokes, when Rivers made her first-ever appearance on Ed Sullivan's TV show. (Rivers offered to pay her for laughing, but Lopinto--who thought Rivers was hilarious--did not want the money.)

In expressing her appreciation for the award, Lopinto noted it was especially meaningful to receive an award named after Seth Sikes, since she had also worked as stage-manager for the first show that Sikes ever starred in, in New York--Chip Deffaa's musical play "Yankee Doodle Boy." And while Sikes himself did not appear in Deffaa's next musical comedy, "The Seven Little Foys," at the Fringe Festival, the show included a pet goat named "Little Sethy" after Seth Sikes--and Lopinto provided the puppet representing "Little Sethy."

Sikes is today best known for his work in cabaret. Perhaps the hottest male artist in the nightclubs today, his appearances at clubs in New York, Provincetown, London, etc. always sell out. (He'll be returning to New York's Feinstein's/54 Below in May with a new show, "The Songs that Got Away.") As a recording artist, he's been heard on such albums as "Irving Berlin Rediscovered" and "The Chip Deffaa Songbook," with more in the works. He's also got solid theater credits. He appeared in the Off-Broadway musical "Fame." He was Assistant Director for the Broadway show "The Nance," starring Nathan Lane. And he's the Associate Director of the current Broadway hit, "The Band's Visit." Lopinto most recently served as Company Manager for "Irving Berlin: Person," in its sold-out tryout run at the 13th Street Rep.

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