Time for the Bobbi Awards

Tom Titus

Back when the Huntington Beach Playhouse was in its growing pains

phase, in the early 1960s, one of the primary figures in the

theater’s early development was a lady named Bobbi Murphy.

Murphy never acted or directed, but her organizational influence

was felt. Enough so that the annual awards for acting, directing,

designing, etc. were named in her honor -- the Bobbi Awards.

On Sunday, the current regime at the playhouse will hand out the

Bobbi Awards for the theater’s 2002 season in a dinner and

entertainment program to get under way promptly at 6 p.m. in Rooms C

and D of the Huntington Beach Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., just across

the hall from the theater where the playhouse productions are staged.

“This special evening is designed to unite and recognize the many

people who participated in our 2002 season, and to again enjoy the

company of those who worked together to make this past season such a

success,” playhouse President Bettie Muhlenberg said.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails, a video

presentation of the 2002 season in review and entertainment. The

awards presentations begins at 7 p.m.

Productions under consideration for the 2002 Bobbi Awards are “A

Chorus Line,” directed by Michael Lopez; “Squabbles,” Gigi Fusco

Meese; “A Man for All Seasons,” David Colwell; “Henry IV, Part 1,”

Wendy de Barros; “No Sex Please, We’re British,” Patrick Fennell,

“Fiddler on the Roof,” Marla-Gam Hudson; “Ladies in Retirement,”

Terri Miller Schmidt and “The Foreigner,” directed by this humble

columnist.

The deadline for reservations has come and gone, but those

interested may obtain information on the event by contacting Patricia

Powers at (714) 969-5341.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.