About the Perry AwardsThe Perry Awards have been named in honor of William Perry Morgan. Perry (as he has always been known to his friends), is a gifted Director, Actor, Composer and Musician who was a driving force in New Jersey Community Theater for many years. During this time Perry and several of his close colleagues came to the realization that there was a need to recognize the many great accomplishments of their fellow thespians who gave so freely of their talents to enrich the lives of theater patrons in New Jersey. It was out of this that the AVY awards were born. The Awards were held each year in June and the announcement of each years nominees was a much anticipated event throughout New Jersey Community Theaters. Perry continued to produce the AVY Awards for 20+ years until, in 1994, he announced that he and his wife were relocating to Memphis. Although a great void was left, a small group of individuals decided that the intent and the spirit of the AVY Awards should continue. The process continued under a different name until 1998. Under new leadership, and with the express permission of Perry, the awards were rechristened "The Perry Awards." Perry stated at that time, "The acknowledgment of excellence in Community Theater by any "Award" serves only to re-enforce that which is already known; That some of the finest theatrical productions ever produced are done so year after year in community theaters throughout New Jersey"
Each year OTRP and now Performance With Passion Players has been nominated for several awards. Listed below are our nominations for the past few years. This year, the Perry’s will take place on September 20th2009: 13 nominations
Outstanding Youth Actor In A Play
Jason Almerini - Up The Down Staircase
Jack Babnew - History Boys
Matt Brown - Ordinary People
Will Hemp - Ordinary People
Will Kervick - Ordinary People
Ben Shutman - History Boys
Outstanding Youth Actress In A Play
Jennifer Iacobino - Up The Down Staircase - For Playing a Teen
Lucy McGrath - The Bishop's Wife
Outstanding Ensemble Actress In A PLay
Jennifer Iacobino - Up The Down Staircase - Fo Playing An Adult
Outstanding Production Of An Original Play
"You Can't Say That"
Mike Schwartz - Producer
Debby Schwartz - Producer
Frank Van Syckel - Producer & Author
Stephen Hirsekorn - Director
"The Bishop's Wife"
Mike Schwartz - Producer
Debby Schwartz - Producer
Dave McGrath - Author & Director
2008: 6 nominations
Best Costumes
Debby Schwartz & Nancy Nuccio Stage Door
Best Actress in a Play
Natalie Markovich Stage Door
Best Youth Actress in a Play - winner!
Givanna Robbins Anne Frank And Me
Lucy McGrath Anne Frank And Me
Best Male Ensemble in a Play - winners!!
Tony Milillo Stage Door
Brandon Zoppi Stage Door
"Winner of The 2008 Outstanding
Community Theatre Award"
2007: 15 nominations
Lead Actress in a Play
Mary Lawrence Crimes Of The HeartLead Actor in a Play - winner!
Eric Walby Mass Appeal
Best Production of a Play - winners!
Debby & Mike Schwartz Mass Appeal
Best Direction of a Play
Joesph Schreck, Jr. Mass Appeal
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Michelle Nuccio The Improtance of Being Earnest
Best Youth Actor in a Play
Will Kervick The Improtance of Being Earnest
Best Youth Actress in a Play - winner!
Givanna Robbins The Importance of Being Earnest
Lucy McGrath The Importance of Being Earnest
Best Ensemble Actress
Givanna Robbins And Then There Were None
Best Stage Manager
Mac Macormick Mass Appeal
Best Lighting Design
Joesph Schreck, Jr & Gerald Mass Appeal
Best Set Design - winner!
Gerald Biek Mass Appeal
Best Sound Design
Joseph Schreck, Jr. Mass Appeal
Best Props
Joesph Schreck Jr., Mac Macormick & Gerald Mass Appeal
Best Original Musical
Mike & Debby Schwartz Diamonds
2006: 4 nominationsFeatured Actor in a Play
Paul Nixon The HollowLead Actor in a Play
Dennis Liotta I'm not RappaportOutstanding Young Female Performer in a Play
Givanna Robbins The Gingerbread LadyFeatured Actress in a Musical
Amanda Winter Nunsense
2005: 7 nominations
Outstanding Production of an Original Play
M. Lennon Perricone The Redemption of Fawler Mulrae
Lead Actress in a Play
Sharon Saks Cuckoo's Nest
Ensemble Actor in a Play
PJ Campacci Cuckoo's Nest
Ensemble Actress in a Play
Stephanie Evanovich Watch on the Rhine
Outstanding Young Female Performer in a Play
Ashley Cutrona Cuckoo's Nest
Outstanding Young Male Performer in a Play
Ben Shutman Watch on the Rhine
Outstanding Young Male Performer in a Play
Tyrell Willis The Redemption of Fawler Mulrae
2004 7 nominations, 1 win!
Outstanding Production of an Original Musical
Frank D'Agostino & Dennis Liotta My Heinous Life
Outstanding Production of an Original Play
M. Lennon Perricone And of the Son
Outstanding Production of an Original Play
Erica Bertoli Potluck
Lead Actor in a Play
Yianni Digaletos Dracula
Ensemble Actress in a Play - winner!
Samantha Maidlow Dracula
Outstanding Lighting Design
Moe Rios Dracula
Outstanding Sound Design
Moe Rios Dracula
2003 4 nominations, 1 win!
Outstanding Production of an Original Play
M. Lennon Perricone The Last White Family On Dorchester Road
Lead Actor in a Play
Jeff Jelling 12 Angry Men
Outstanding Stage Management
Alexis Schiferling Brighton Beach Memoirs
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play - winner!
Lisa Gail Brighton Beach Memoirs
2002: 9 nominations, 1 win!
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Dan Hunt A Funny Thing Happened .. to the Forum
Outstanding Production of an Original Musical
Debby and Mike Schwartz Viviana
Outstanding Production of an Original Play
Dan Hunt A Millennium Christmas Carol
Featured Actor in a Musical
Christopher Fitzgerald Forum
Ensemble Actress in a Musical - winner!
Janene Russo Viviana
Lead Actor in a Play
Mike Tiseni Flowers for Algernon
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Debby Schwartz Forum
Outsanding Costume Design
Lauren Menalino Forum
Outstanding Properties
Rachel Harris Forum
2001: 2 nominations
Outstanding Lighting Design
George Mckulla Two by Two
Outstanding Sound Design
Chris Bonn Two by Two
1999: 3 nominatios
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Debby Schwartz Last Of The Red Hot Lovers
Lead Actor In A Play
Peter Stern Last of The Red Hot Lovers
Lead Actress in a Play
Nora Tupino Nuts
1998: 2 Nominations
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Debby Schwartz The Diary Of Ann Frank
Lead Actress in a Play
Lisa Gail Ann Frank