"BessZ Awards"

Named in honor and memory of Bess Zaritka for her dedication to CPP, the BessZ Awards recognize outstanding achievement.  Here are the previous winners:

Best Director

• 2011-2012 Season: Shari Miranda - Affections of May
• 2010-2011 Season: Justin Sternburgh - All My Sons
  
• 2009-2010 Season: 
  
• 2008-2009 Season: Joe Carmolli, Once Upon a Mattress
  
• 2007-2008 Season: Sarah Fields, The Crucible
• 2006-2007 Season: Chris Chalupa, Cabaret
• 2005-2006 Season: Christine Smith, The Cemetery Club
• 2004-2005 Season: Joe Carmolli, The Spitfire Grill
• 2003-2004 Season: Natalie Carmolli, Jesus Christ Superstar
• 2002-2003 Season: Daniel K. Hermance, You Can't Take it with You
• 2001-2002 Season: Peter Drost, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
• 2000-2001 Season: Joe Carmolli, A...My Name is Alice
• 1999-2000 Season: Peter Drost, Into the Woods
• 1998-1999 Season: John & Ruth Bethke, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• 1997-1998 Season: Jim Sommerfeldt, Godspell
• 1996-1997 Season: Dawn Wilson, Pump Boys & Dinettes
• 1995-1996 Season: Fred Finke, Lend Me a Tenor
• 1994-1995 Season: Christine Smith, Red, Hot & Cole

 

Best Producer

 

Best Actor in a Leading Role

• 2011-2012 Season: Egan Porter, "Cat-in-the-Hat" Seussical,
  
  2010-2011 Season: Remington Sprague - Joe Keller, All My Sons
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Justin Sternburgh - Felix Unger, The Odd Couple
• 2007-2008 Season: Michael Empson - John Proctor, The Crucible
• 2006-2007 Season: Chris Loughrin - Emcee, Cabaret
• 2005-2006 Season: Jeff Lynn - Robert, Company
• 2004-2005 Season: Daniel Hermance - Lennie, Of Mice and Men
• 2003-2004 Season: Chris Bee - Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar
• 2002-2003 Season: Antonio Copeland - Matt, The Fantasticks
• 2001-2002 Season: Justin Sternburgh - Albert Einstein, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
• 2000-2001 Season: Terry Ireland - Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof
• 1999-2000 Season: Chris Chalupa - The Baker, Into the Woods
• 1998-1999 Season: Dan Hermance - Pseudolus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• 1997-1998 Season: Howard Chapman - Willie Loman, Death of a Salesman
• 1996-1997 Season: Jim Sommerfeldt - Mickey Gorski, Greetings
• 1995-1996 Season: Howard Chapman - Herman Lewis, Mixed Emotions
• 1994-1995 Season: William Hipkiss - C.S. Lewis, Shadowlands

 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

• 2011-2012 Season: Amy Simpson - May Henning, Affections of May, 
  
  2010-2011 Season: Natalie Carmolli - Kate Keller, All My Sons
  2009-2010 Season:  
  2008-2009 Season: Eirann Betka - Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, Steel Magnolias
  
• 2007-2008 Season: Kimberly Nardi - Elizabeth Proctor, The Crucible
• 2006-2007 Season: Tiffany Dupont - Sally Bowles, Cabaret
• 2005-2006 Season: Natalie Carmolli - Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire
• 2004-2005 Season: Andrea Mathews - Percy, The Spitfire Grill
• 2003-2004 Season: Natalie Carmolli - Meg Magrath, Crimes of the Heart
• 2002-2003 Season: Kim Alderink - Alice Sycamore, You Can't Take it with You
• 2001-2002 Season: Kim Alderink - Mary Flynn, Merrily We Roll Along
• 2000-2001 Season: Diane Van Wesep - Ensemble, A...My Name is Alice
• 1999-2000 Season: Cynthia Bates Twining - The Witch, Into the Woods
• 1998-1999 Season: Bonnie Kate Rivera - Toni Simmons, Cactus Flower
• 1997-1998 Season: Kathy Vollmer & Mary Kron - Olive Madison & Jesus, The Odd Couple - Female Version & Godspell
• 1996-1997 Season: Carolyn Bean - Emily Gorski, Greetings
• 1995-1996 Season: Marcia Howe - Christine Millman, Mixed Emotions
• 1994-1995 Season: Carol Kirchner - Elsa Maxwell/Ethel Merman, Red, Hot & Cole

 

Best Actor in a Major Supporting Role

• 2011-2012 Season: Kevin Prince, Hank Beavis, Affections of May, 
  
  2010-2011 Season: Dave Riegler - All My Sons
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Ray Ziemelis - King Sextamus, Once Upon a Mattress
• 2007-2008 Season: Howard Chapman - Roy Hubley, Plaza Suite
• 2006-2007 Season: Joe Carmolli - Ernst Ludwig, Cabaret
• 2005-2006 Season: Howard Chapman - Sam, The Cemetery Club
• 2004-2005 Season: Jeff Lynn - Joe, The Spitfire Grill
• 2003-2004 Season: Peter Drost - Annas, Jesus Christ Superstar
• 2002-2003 Season: Mike Vogas - Mr. Kolenkhov, You Can't Take it with You
• 2001-2002 Season: Fred Finke - Gaston, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
• 2000-2001 Season: Russ Gallas - Motel, Fiddler on the Roof
• 1999-2000 Season: Erich Sommerfeld - Jack, Into the Woods
• 1998-1999 Season: Fred Finke - Hysterium, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• 1997-1998 Season: Chris Chalupa - Manolo Costazuela, The Odd Couple - Female Version
• 1996-1997 Season: Barry Huntington & Andrew Nagel - Phil Gorski & Eddie, Greetings & Pump Boys & Dinettes
• 1995-1996 Season: Barry Huntington - Saunders, Lend Me a Tenor
• 1994-1995 Season: Howard Chapman - W.H. Lewis, Shadowlands

 

Best Actress in a Major Supporting Role

• 2011-2012 Season: Katie McCool, Tillie Hunsdorfer - ...Gamma Rays, 
  
  2010-2011 Season: Ann Genson - Pygmalion
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Sarah Fields - Gwedolyn Pigeon, The Odd Couple
• 2007-2008 Season: Lauren Ivey - Mary Warren, The Crucible
• 2006-2007 Season: Sarah Fields - Fraulein Kost, Cabaret
• 2005-2006 Season: Christine Muehlhausen - Jenny, Company
• 2004-2005 Season: Kim Harsch - Shelby, The Spitfire Grill
• 2003-2004 Season: Christine Meuhlhausen - Chick Boyle, Crimes of the Heart
• 2002-2003 Season: Kim Harsch - Mute, The Fantasticks
• 2001-2002 Season: Natalie Carmolli - Suzanne, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
• 2000-2001 Season: Andrea Mathews - Ensemble, A...My Name is Alice
• 1999-2000 Season: Carly Jibson - Little Red Ridinghood, Into the Woods
• 1998-1999 Season: Marcia Howe - Helga ten Dorp, Deathtrap
• 1997-1998 Season: Carolyn Bean - Vera, The Odd Couple - Female Version
• 1996-1997 Season: Bonnie Rivera - Prudie Cupp, Pump Boys & Dinettes
• 1995-1996 Season: Ann Taylor - Ado Annie, Oklahoma!
• 1994-1995 Season: Kim Mercatante - Bricktop, Red, Hot & Cole

 

Best Actor in a Minor Supporting Role

• 2011-2012 Season: Bruce Baker - Carl, Bus Stop
  
  2010-2011 Season: Walt Mrotz - Greater Tuna
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Justin Sternburgh - Wizard, Once Upon a Mattress
• 2007-2008 Season: Chris Chalupa - Gad, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• 2006-2007 Season: Russ Gallas - Howard, Moon Over Buffalo

 

Best Actress in a Minor Supporting Role

• 2011-2012 Season: Lorrell Pepple - Mayzie LaBird, Seussical, 
  
  2010-2011 Season: Christy Oliver -Greater Tuna
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Ruth Bethke - Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias
• 2007-2008 Season: Ruth Bethke - Tituba, The Crucible
• 2006-2007 Season: Carolyn Bean - Ethel, Moon Over Buffalo

 

Best Cameo Appearence

• 2011-2012 Season: Jeff Lynn, - Wickersham Brother, Seussical, 
  2010-2011 Season: Bridget McCarthy - Pygmalion
  
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Carolyn Bean - Ouiser Boudreaux, Steel Magnolias
• 2007-2008 Season: Brett Newsted - Pharoah, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• 2006-2007 Season: Chris Mayhew - Harry Esterbrook, Inherit the Wind
• 2005-2006 Season: Phylecia Palmer - Neighbor, A Streetcar Named Desire
• 2004-2005 Season: Kevin Gardner - The Visitor, The Spitfire Grill
• 2003-2004 Season: Cassie Veach - Angel of Death, Jesus Christ Superstar
• 2002-2003 Season: Natalie Carmolli - Gay Wellington, You Can't Take it with You
• 2001-2002 Season: Peter Drost - Charles Dabernow Schmendiman, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
• 2000-2001 Season: Jonathon Lathers - Innkeeper, Fiddler on the Roof
• 1999-2000 Season: David Fuller - Milky White, Into the Woods
• 1998-1999 Season: Daron Garrett - Eunich, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• 1997-1998 Season: Sandra Lapham Blackstone - Miss Francis, Death of Salesman

---

Other Awards

Artistic Contribution Award 

• 2011-2012 Season: Shaylynn Chalupa - Choreographer, Seussical, 
  2010-2011 Season: Lisa Hilliard - Costumes, Pygmalion
  2009-2010 Season: 
  2008-2009 Season: Lisa Hilliard - Costume Design, Once Upon a Mattress
• 2007-2008 Season: Carol Finke & Mary Huntington - Costume Design, The Crucible
• 2006-2007 Season: Shaylynn Chalupa - Choreography, Cabaret
• 2005-2006 Season: Kirk Wahamaki - Set Design, The Cemetery Club
• 2004-2005 Season: E. Fred Finke, Peter Drost - Set & Light Design, The Spitfire Grill
• 2003-2004 Season: Peter Drost - Light Design, Jesus Christ Superstar
• 2002-2003 Season: E. Fred Finke - Set Design, You Can't Take it with You
• 2001-2002 Season: E. Fred Finke - Set Design, Merrily We Roll Along

Phyllis Pelligrino Award for Excellence in Family Theatre

• 2010-2011 Season: Susan Giganti
  2008-2009 Season: Trudi Kerkstra
• 2007-2008 Season: Natalie Carmolli
• 2006-2007 Season: Shaylynn Chalupa
• 2005-2006 Season: Brett Newsted
• 2003-2004 Season: Audra Passinault
• 2002-2003 Season: Kim Alderink
• 2000-2001 Season: Dick Behm

 

Volunteer Service Award

• 2010-2011 Season: Shaylynn Chalupa
  2008-2009 Season: Ray Ziemelis
• 2007-2008 Season: Trudi Kerkstra
• 2006-2007 Season: John Bethke
• 2003-2004 Season: Merle Stone

 

Presidential Award for Outstanding Dedication to CPP

• 2010-2011 Season: Ron Mass
  2008-2009 Season: Lee Schiebach
• 2007-2008 Season: Natalie Carmolli
• 2006-2007 Season: Linda Bengston

 

Outstanding Family Theatre Student Award

• 2010-2011 Season: Katie Parks
  
  2008-2009 Season: Hugo Lawton
• 2007-2008 Season: Mollie LaBeff

 

Cron Lifetime Achievement Award

• 2008-2009 Season: Mary Huntington
• 2007-2008 Season: Vicki Marvin
• 2006-2007 Season: Tom and Evie Cron