Actor Todd Lewis (center) is Arthur the owner of a decrepit donut shop in “Superior Donuts.” Deb Canfield, who plays Officer Randy Oosten listens as Lewis talks to his employee Franko Wicks, played by Nio Walton. (Ashlee McGreevy)
Circle Theatre continues its 67th Main Stage season with a production of Superior Donuts opening on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College.
Under the direction of Mike Hull, Superior Donuts tells the story of Arthur, a Polish – American, who owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This comedy- drama by Tony® Award and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Tracy Letts explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.
Circle Theatre audience members can take advantage of the Lobby Bar on select nights throughout the summer, including the Aug. 9 performance of Superior Donuts. On Aug. 9, Michigan craft beer and wine as well as donuts from Marge’s Donut Den will be available starting at 7 p.m.; beverages can be enjoyed inside the theatre on that evening.
“This is a show about being stuck in life,” said Andrew Manion who portrays Kevin Magee in the Circle Theatre production. “Stuck because of past mistakes, stuck because of one’s upbringing or background, or maybe stuck because of a crippling anxiety, guilt or fear. This is a show about overcoming these paralyses in order to find freedom, even when opposed by literal violence.”
Hull said “Our show is the story of the American Dream as told by ordinary people. If you are someone who believes that America can be the best it can be for all of its people than this is a show that will hopefully inspire some questions and no small degree of hope.”
Superior Donuts will run Aug. 8 – 10, 14-17, 21 – 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. The show is rated “R” due to strong language. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circle’s website at circletheatre.org.
Recently, WKTV hosted a volunteer picnic for the many people who contribute their time and efforts in creating program for the WKTV station along with writing for the WKTV Journal.
The picnic was at Johnson Park and had a little twisted with food provided by Charcoal Grill Brazilian Steak House out of Holland. Charcoal Grill offers authentic Brazilian food with servers carving up the meats right at the table. The three-hour event included a time to recognize the many accomplishments of all of WKTV volunteers.
The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Charlie Kormanik who has worked on a number of projects including the WKTV’s spring broadcasting of the FIRST Robotics Competition. WKTV Board member and contributor Mike Bacon received the Community Service Programming Award and WKTV Board member and contributor Judy Bergsma received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Recognized for 15 years of service were Jim Dohm for helping to wire the WKTV building and the show Catholic Forum; Dan Kuipers for Bethany URC, and Todd Lewis for the Grand Rapids Theatre documentary and various other work. Recognized for 20 years was Mike Endres for EP Adventures and the Ghosts of Grand Rapids documentary; Rose Hammond for the Idlewild documentary; and Phyllis Koslow for her work with the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band and Symphonette shows. Recognized for 25 years of service was Kim Johnson for her work on a number of projects such as the the Dynamic Praise Program, WKTV specials, Memorial Tributes, the End of Year Memorials, and Princess Diana.
Just some the people who attended the WKTV Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. All photos are by Pat Mulder.
Also recognized were:
Those who volunteered 25 hours or less
Brittany Berens – WKTV Sports
Maddison Berone – WKTV Sports
Judy Bergsma – WKTV Board Member
Ryan Burkholder – I.T.
Mike Endres – EP Adventures
Kim Johnson – Dynamic Praise/Memorial Tributes
Katelyn Kohane – WKTV News
Pat Moll – WKTV News Photographer
Edward Nelson – W.T.H.
Chris Rush – Senior Exercise
Bob Serulla – Golden Gloves/Metro Cruise
Matt Small – WKTV Sports
Emily Southerton – Catholic Forum
Erica Southerton – Catholic Forum
Paul Southerton – Catholic Forum
Doug Styles – Rowland – Stop of Faith
Anne Van Dreumel – Metro Cruise and Schubert Male Chorus
Mike Van Druemel – WKTV
Dick Visser – WKTV Board Member
Matt Whitney – WKTV
Those who had volunteered 26 – 50 hours
Carrie Bradstreet – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America
Jim Dohm – Catholic Forum/Fools for Christ
Randy Galaszewski – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America
Chris Huntoon – WKTV
Mark Lange – WKTV
Sunshine Myers – The Projectionist
James Smither – GVSU Veteran’s Oral History Project
Sue Southerton – Catholic Forum
Larry Swanson – You’re Got to Be Kidding Me America
Patty Williams – Bluegrass On Stage & Sounds of Summer
Pat Williams – Volunteer
Those who have volunteered 51 – 75 hours
Kriss Boom Boom – W.T.H.
Rose Hammond – Idlewild Documentary
Sophia Maslowski – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America
It was a night for first-time award winners and a few surprises at the 2017 Eclipse Awards which took place Thursday, May 18, at the CityFlats Hotel in Grand Rapids.
The annual awards are designed to celebrate West Michigan filmmakers and the films they create. A call for entries was made at the end of March with judges from around the globe narrowing the entries down to a record number of nominees, which was more than 90. Past Eclipse winners were selected to place their votes for the best contenders in each category with those winners being announced last night.
For many, being nominated was a huge accomplishment and, in fact, all the nominees were honored at a special event at the JW Marriot earlier in the week.
“For me it is a great honor,” said first-time winner Andy Behm, who tied with Kyle Misak for Best Direction (Feature or Short.) Behm’s film is Hold On, which is about a couple and the trying times they face over a short period of time.
“I just graduated from college last week so it is a great way to start a career and for my film hopefully this is the first of many. It is a great honor just to be nominated and then to win is just awesome.”
First-time winner Geoffrey Young Haney, whose film Shadows won for Best Narrative Short, echoed the same about being nominated.
“This is the first thing I have ever submitted into anything at all,” Haney said, adding that he feels winning will help him to continue to build connections with those in the West Michigan film industry.
Deb Havens knows much about building connections as she was one of the leaders behind the development of the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance, one of the sponsors of the Eclipse Awards. Havens was honored for her leadership with the 2017 Hyperion Award.
“It is an award that really comes after a number of years of leadership,” Havens said. “But you are not a leader if no one is following or part of what you are leading toward as part of the goal and of the effort put into achieving that goal. And as I have mentioned, we have had over 50 people serve on the board and hundreds who have been members and we couldn’t have done anything without those folks.
“As you see tonight with all the people in the room, we made a difference and that is so huge.”
Receiving recognition for a film, any recognition, does help a project, said filmmaker Todd Lewis who won for Best Sound Design for the film The Rotation. Lewis said that it was “wonderful to be apart of this community,” but to be recognized in a room full of incredible artists from Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan only added to that honor.
Congratulations! And the Eclipse Winners at the 6th Annual Eclipse Awards are:
Best Editing in a Documentary
Rich Jackson for Stuck in Traffic, Modern-Day Slavery in Michigan
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Laura Walczak for Wake
Best Cinema Trailer
Migration – David Huizingh, producer
Best Director in a Documentary
Rich Jackson for Stuck in Traffic, Modern-Day Slavery in Michigan
Best Editor in a a Feature or Short
Cameron Lewis for Mordecai
Best Local & Regional Segments & Promotional Pieces
Gabe – David MacKenzie, Jilaine Snoeyink, Producers
Best Music Video, Original Performance
Private Slum – Zachary Clark, Andy Westra, Producers
The 2017 Hyperion Award
Dr. Deb Havens
Best Sound Design
Todd Lewis for The Rotation
On-Line programs, Segments or Promotional Pieces
Grand Rapids Glossary – Brian Kelly, Producer
Best Director in a Feature or Short
Andrew Behm for Hold On
Kyle Misak for Crazy Carl
Best Original Score
Gregory De lulio for Crazy Carl
Best Cinematography
Ben Wilke for Baxter Community Center
Best Narrative Short
Shadows – Geoffrey Young Haney, Joseph Scott Anthony, Dustin Wilfert, Producers
Best Writing in Documentary & Promotional Piece
Jason Ley for Modern Ahabs
Best Documentary Short
Renardo – Nathan Roels, Producer
Best Local TV & Cable
Modern Ahabs – Ben Wilke, Jason Ley, Producers
Best Feature Documentary
New Heights: Restoring A City – Eric Schrotenboer, Taz Painter, Producers
Best Animation
Erik Sebert for Space Scavenger
Best Screenplay
Harper Philbin and John Dufresne for Lucky Jay 2
Best Actor in a Lead Role
Morlan Higgins for Lucky Jay 2
Best Narrative Feature
Needlestick – Steven Karageanes, Producer
Presenters for this year’s event were John Philbin, Jessie Hollett, Sophie Bolen, Josh Reed, Michael McCallum, Mallory Patterson, Randy Strobl, Noah DeSmit, Amy Sherman, David Baker, Glen Okonoski, Anthony Griffin, Girbe Eefsting, Barb Roos, Jen Shaneberger, Rich Brauer, Stephen Tanner, Derk Baartman, Judy Bergsma, Gretchen Vinnedge, Stuart Poltrock, Sherryl Despres, and Todd Lewis.
Marie Ullrich and Todd Lewis announce the nominees for the 2016 Eclipse Awards.
The nominees for the 2016 Eclipse Awards were announced today by Todd Lewis and Marie Ullrich on WKTV.
With a record number of entries, judges from around the globe narrowed the field down to the nominees listed below. An annual event, the Eclipse Awards are designed to celebrate West Michigan filmmakers and the films they create.
Winners will be announced live on April 28 on WKTV, Comcast channel 24, starting at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by local comedian Ben Wilke. The Eclipse Awards show also will be streamed live at theeclipseaward.com. WKTV News will be providing complete coverage of the entire event.
For all nominees and their guests, there will be the Eclipse Lounge on April 25 at 7 p.m. at the second floor patio of the Rockwell Republic, 45 S. Division Ave. Tom Norton, station manager for WKTV, which helps to organize the event, said the the Eclipse Lounge is an important aspect to the event in that it gives nominees an opportunity to network and for everyone to be recognized for their accomplishments.
“We believe that being nominated is an important achievement and so we honor all the nominees,” Norton said.
Filmmakers can enter in several main Categories such as Cinema Trailer, Documentary, and Narrative Short. There are also craft Categories focused on the experiste in creating a film such as Acting, Directing and Original Score.
Categories are listed in alphabetical order with nominees listed in random order.
Documentary nominees are My Personal Pink Time, Josh Reed, producer; Strong Words: The Art of Toi Derricotte, David Schock, producer; and UP a River, Kristin Ojaniemi, producer.
Local & Regional Segments & Promotional Pieces (under 20 minutes) nominees are Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park: A Grand Rapids Treasure, Experience Grand Rapids, producer; GoSite Sponsor Video, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl, producers; HappenDance, Andrew Tebeau, producer; Meet Maren, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl, producers; There’s a Little Gilda in All of Us, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl, producers; and Why We Work at Wedgwood, Navin Kharmai, producer.
Local TV & Cable (30 minute time slot) nominees are Cooking with Angus: Mozzarella, Noah DeSmit, producer; Feel Like You Belong – Takunda Maxima Episode, Alan Headbloom, producer; and Jake’s Safari, Randy Bassin, producer.
Narrative Short nominees are Interference, James Stephens, Kelly Loughlin, producers; Portrait, Andrew Behm, producer; shehimher, DJ Viennese, producer; The Discovery of Alan Hindley, Andy Fortenbacher, producer; The Million Dollar Nickel, Kyle Misak, Jake Maxwell, producers; and This is Munyagwa, Erick Lauchie, producer.
On-line Programs, Segments or Promotional Pieces nominees areLive Arts, Andy Terzes, producer; Lucky Jay, Brian Gotberg and Harper Philbin, producers; Recognizing the Signs of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in the Clinic, Kendall College of Art and Design, producer; and The Story of the Nutcracker Village, Jacob Schmiedicke, producer.
Craft categories are listed in alphabetical order with nominees listed randomly.
Acting nominees are Ray Brazaski for Cathedral; Michael McCallum for Lucky Jay, Sherryl Despres for Rodeo Girl, Sophie Bolen for Rodeo Girl, Heather Baker-Jackson for shehimher and Liz Nolan for Two For the Show.
Animation nominees are Sanjo Antony for Jake’s Safari, Larry Lauria for Pete’s Odyssey, and Brett Deacon and Evan Hollingsworth for Project Liberation.
Cinematography and Videography nominees are Reid Petro for Alaskan Adventure, Logan Hurtado and Dylan Sanders for Death at the Opera, Steve Steketee for Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park: A Grand Rapids Treasure, Reid Petro for It’s Your Move, Matthew Weaver for Journeyman, Andy Terzes for Live Arts, John Hansen for shehimher, Reid Petro for The Million Dollar Nickel and Travis Babbitt for Topanga.
Direction nominees are Andy Terzes for Live Arts, Harper Philbin for Lucky Jay, DJ Viernes for shehimher, Kyle Misak and Jake Maxwell for The Million Dollar Nickel, and Michael McCallum for Two for the Show.
Editing nominees are Alex Bolen for L I G H T, Tim Lieber for Lucky Jar, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl for Mosaic Mobile 2015 Promo, Kyle Misak for The Million Dollar Nickel, and Michael McCallum and Andrew Tebeau for Two for the Show.
Original Scoring nominees are David Purnell for INK 180 and Theo Ndawille II for shehimher.
Writing in Produced Content nominees are George Snider III for Jake’s Safari, Harper Philbin, John Dufresne and Angelo Eidse for Lucky Jay, DJ Viernes for shehimher, Kyle Misak and Jesse Charles for The Million Dollar Nickel and Michael McCallum for Two for the Show.
