Every 1's a Winner!

2nd Annual Act4Murder Awards Winners Announced

Fort Walton Beach – Actors and behind-the-scenes personnel were honored Jan. 24 at the 2nd Annual Act4Murder Awards. The winners, nominated and voted on by members of the comedy troupe, were announced in a ceremony held at the Emerald Palace in Destin.

Honorees included longtime Act4Murder cast member Kay Yarbrough, who took home a statuette for Best Villainess for her performance as the overbearing director Diedre in “On Stage for Murder”; Best Villain Fraser Sherman, as corporate consultant Dick Sticksit in “Murder Under the Mistletoe”; Best Supporting Actor Joe Chase, as long-suffering Drew Blood in “Death by Valentine”; and Best Supporting Actress Jules Shaw, as chain-smoking financial officer Martha Cheats in “Mistletoe.”

Chase was also voted Best Sleuth for his turn as Ian Ventor in “Muscling in on Murder,” and Shaw won Miss Congeniality and Best Whiner, the latter a special “Director’s Award” given by Act4Murder founder Paula Hilton.

“I realized after a few years that all of my actors worked so hard, and I wanted to give something back,” said Hilton. “Not just the best actor and best actress, but unusual qualities—like the ability to take a few simple words and make them memorable. Plus, I love cake!”

Awards for multiple shows went to Best Choreographer Rochelle Kimball, Mr. Congeniality Jim Downum, Best Actor Christopher Manson and Best Actress Michelle DellaFave.

“I’ve been with the troupe for about six years, and this award means so much to me,” said DellaFave. “I work with talented, wonderful actors, and to be recognized is indeed an honor.” DellaFave was also named Best Killer for her portrayal of Italian-American Isabella Crump in the Halloween-themed production “Murder at the Monster Bash.”

Downum and Best Newcomer Norm Boyd shared awards for Best Song and Best Costume, as both performed the role of Rusty Pipes in the 2008 show “Knock ‘em Dead.”

Other winners included Best Promoter, Yarbrough; Best Couple, Downum and Lisa Worsham in “Bedlam in Cabin B”; Best Kiss, Downum and Mary Ann Averitte in “Valentine”; and Best Stage Manager, Julie McNabb.

Hilton served as master of ceremonies for the awards. Slide shows featuring highlights from all of the 2008 shows played throughout the evening. Following the awards, the Act4Murder cast presented Hilton with a plaque and personalized director’s chair.

Highlights from the awards ceremony can be viewed at www.youtube.com/user/act4murder.

Act4Murder performs murder mystery comedies for dinner theater at restaurants and special events throughout Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, Pensacola and Crestview. For more information about the group and upcoming shows, visit www.act4murder.com.

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Complete List of 2008 Act4Murder Award Winners:

Best Show – “Murder at the Monster Bash”
Best Actor – Christopher Manson
Best Actress – Michelle DellaFave
Best Supporting Actor – Joe Chase (as Drew Blood in “Death by Valentine”)
Best Supporting Actress – Jules Shaw (as Martha Cheats in “Murder Under the Mistletoe”)
Best Prop – Jim and Polly Hilton (for creating the DJ booth used in several 2008 shows)
Best Choreography – Rochelle Kimball (for all shows)
Best Stage Manager – Julie McNabb
Best Show Night Help – Debby Geisen
Best Sleuth – Joe Chase (as Ian Ventor in “Muscling in on Murder”)
Best Killer – Michelle DellaFave (as Isabella Crump in “Murder at the Monster Bash”)
Best Villain – Fraser Sherman (as Dick Sticksit in “Murder Under the Mistletoe”)
Best Villainess – Kay Yarbrough (as Diedre in “On Stage for Murder”)
Best Dance Ensemble – Mary Ann Averitte, Cynthia Bergquist, Michelle DellaFave, Tiffany Smith and Lisa Worsham (in “Deadly Vows”)
Best Song – Norm Boyd and Jim Downum (as Rusty Pipes performing “Fever” in “Knock ‘em Dead”)
Best Seven-word Delivery – Cynthia Bergquist (as Phonet in “Bedlam in Cabin B”)
Best Whiner – Jules Shaw (for all shows)
Best Attitude, Male – Ken Olson
Best Attitude, Female – Tiffany Smith
Best Exit – Mary Ann Averitte (as Janet Lies in “Murder Under the Mistletoe”)
Best Entrance – Jessika Kelsh (as Candy Valentine in “Death by Valentine”)
Best Costume – Norm Boyd and Jim Downum (as Rusty Pipes in “Knock ‘em Dead”)
Best Use of a Prop – Jules Shaw (as chain-smoking Martha Cheats in “Murder Under the Mistletoe”)
Best Save – Lisa Worsham (all shows)
Best Mumbler – Jim Downum (all shows)
Miss Congeniality – Jules Shaw
Mr. Congeniality – Jim Downum
Best Kiss – Mary Ann Averitte and Jim Downum (as Hart Breaker and Bill Willkill in “Death by Valentine”)
Best Couple – Jim Downum and Lisa Worsham (as Captain Stubby and Catrina Cook in “Bedlam in Cabin B”)
Best All Line Delivery – Jules Shaw (all shows)
Best Ad Lib/Mingle – Cynthia Bergquist (all shows)
Best Promoter – Kay Yarbrough
Best Newcomer – Norm Boyd

ACT4MURDER 2008 AWARDS THIS SATURDAY!!!

Good luck to all the nominees... we'll have our bash Jan. 24 at the same location as last year... lots of fun, and plenty of surprises in store for all. Results to appear here post-red carpet.

Sorry it's been so long since we posted... will make a better attempt to keep you up to date.

If you haven't seen our YouTube clicks, hop on over to www.youtube.com/user/act4murder