NEW PORT RICHEY — The musical Legally Blonde and the comedy Leading Ladies were top winners during Richey Suncoast Theatre's 2016-17 Charlie Awards ceremony, each show picking up seven awards in their respective divisions.
The Charlies are named in honor of the late Charlie Skelton, who, along with his wife, Marie, is widely credited with saving and expanding the theater after arriving in 1998.
Winners are chosen by a popular vote of those attending the shows. Awards are given in the Musical Division and in the Play Division, as well as a general, overall category.
Musical Division
Male Lead: Ryan Bintz as Emmet Forest in Legally Blonde
Female Lead: Athena Romanski as Elle Wood in Legally Blonde
Male Support: Mitch Gonzalez as Warner in Legally Blonde
Female Support: Beth Phillips as Paulette in Legally Blonde
Male Feature: Tony Carico as Senator Max Evergreen in Nice Work If You Can Get It
Female Audience Favorite: Suzanne Meck as Jolene in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Male Audience Favorite: Brian Moran as Dewey, Nikos and Kyle in Legally Blonde
Music Director: Mark Jelks for Legally Blonde
Choreographer: Melissa Smith for Legally Blonde
Favorite Director: Emily Nettnin Earle for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Play Division
Male Lead: Miguel Rodriguez as Leo Clark in Leading Ladies
Female Lead: Blake Parker as Meg in Leading Ladies
Male Support: Jason Hoolihan as Jack Gable in Leading Ladies
Female Support: Ashlee Craft as Audrey in Leading Ladies
Featured Male: Bill Schommer as Doc in Leading Ladies
Featured Female: Susan Nichols as Florence in Leading Ladies
Favorite Director: Robin New for Leading Ladies
General awards
Best Sound Guy: Garrett Case
Male New Kid on the Block: Cody Farkas
Female New Kid on the Block: Mariana Sarmiento
The comedy Shakespeare in Hollywood and A Pasco Christmas were also presented.