Over tur e
the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the best gala planning goes to
Dr. Barbara Domingos* and the gala committee.
The OSCAR for the most communicative people, welcoming each guest personally,
goes to members of the Board of Directors at the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the most supportive financial institution goes to
the manager and staff of the Fox Chase Bank.
The OSCAR for the most generous gift—$100,000.00—goes to
Mr. Walter Strine, Sr., of Media Realty, the beloved and revered benefactor of
the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the best flower arrangements goes to
Monika of Kenny’s Flower Shoppe and Susan Kelly. And
The OSCAR for the most gut-wrenching performance of “God bless America” goes to
the “Miracle of State Street Singers” under the baton of Roger Ricker. The great
little group with their small American flags, waving them frantically, received the
first of many standing ovations that evening.
Act I
Tom Hibberd, new Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the most charming speech goes to
Kyle Larsen, Board member of the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the most heart-warming speech goes to
the representatives of the War Veterans of Delaware County.
The OSCAR for the most eloquent speech by an honoree goes to
Mr. Bev Aaron from Primetime Weekend on WPVI, Channel 6, Philadelphia ABC.
The OSCAR for the award that was given as a surprise to the unsuspecting Mayor of
Media for his incredible service to the Media Theatre and the cultural life of
Media for many years goes to
Bob McMahon.
The OSCAR for the most educational and audience-activating speech goes to
Chris Larsen.
Act II
the Friends of the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the most originally dressed man goes to
Colin Pitcairn, the kilted Scotsman from Maryland (a friend of the Larsens).
The OSCAR for the woman with the most beautiful dress with the longest train that
swept the carpeted staircase when, unlike Cinderella, she slowly walked
downstairs from the Crystal Room, accompanied by Prince David of Sachs
Goldman, goes to
Inge Smith from Germany.
INTERMISSION
Mr. Walter Shrine and "my fairy lady."
The OSCAR for the best behaved children goes to
David and Inge Smith's two sons: Gregory, aged 9, and Christopher, aged 7,
both of whom have taken classes at the Media Theatre and have appeared in major productions on stage.
Act III
Jesse Cline, artistic director of the Media Theatre, with special thanks.
The OSCAR for the most brilliant and entertaining Master of Ceremonies goes to
John Haggerty of New York City.
The OSCAR for the best accompanist on stage goes to
Chris Ertelt, musical director at the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the most mature performance goes to
Ann Crumb, star of Souvenir, the funniest and most unusual musical ever seen.
The OSCAR for the most wonderful things said by each of the performers about the
connection between the Media Theatre and the Borough of Media goes to
the entire cast at the gala.
Party at the Crystal Room
Broadway actress Therese Walden.
The OSCAR for the best wine and champagne bar goes to
all bartenders and those who stocked the bar with the best spirits befitting a gala.
The OSCAR for the best pianist at the Crystal Room goes to
Max of “Valentine” fame.
The OSCAR for the most dedicated auction management goes to
Christine Petrini, Beth Bannon, and Keith Bannon (with a special OSCAR to
everyone who donated and bought an item).
only at the Media Theatre
Only in America, the lady who said to a handsome, hunky friend of mine: "Are you up for an
auction, too?" He agreed and is going to meet her soon.
The OSCAR for the most liberated "My Fair Lady" goes to
the charming, tall woman who literally snatched me out of a conversation with an
old friend and started to waltz with me.
The OSCAR for the finest food goes to
the gala caterers, who cooked caringly and displayed the meals beautifully.
The OSCAR for the good spirits we never saw before or afterwards goes to
the cleaning crew, who came to get the Media Theatre ready for the weekly
Sunday morning church service—hours after the last revelers left the gala.
The Day after
Patrick Ward, the executive director of the Media Theatre.
The OSCAR for the most encouraging follow-up goes to
all the patrons who wrote in, to the Board members, to the many friends of the
Larsen family, all the way to theatre goers and fans from all over the greater
Philadelphia area who said that they had never seen a gala as exciting as this
year’s event at the Media Theatre.
And, last, but not least, the SPECIAL OSCAR OF OSCARS goes to
the Taits from Wayne, the Lukens, the Rabenas, the Mopperts and all the many
wonderful people who wrote in to say that they will make sure that they will not
only financially support the theatre’s new sound system, but they would send
their children or grandchildren to take classes at the Media Theatre as they all
see the value of the work done at one of the main cultural centers in Media.
Congratulations, one and all.
February 9, 2008
*This picture brings back fond memories of Media Theatre board member and psychologist Dr. Barbara Domingos (front row, second from the right) who left us for good on June 19, 2013—way before her time. Her good spirit still lives on.