"Singin' In The Rain" Hits The High Notes At Shellie Awards

The cast and crew of "Singin' in the Rain" was whistling a happy tune after the 35th annual Shellie Awards on Saturday night.

The Diablo Theatre Company production was named the outstanding musical production of 2013 at the regional entertainment award ceremony attended by more than 300 people at the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek.

The musical also snared the best musical direction award for Dyan McBride and best actor in a musical for Keith Pinto. Pinto also performed the title song with co-star Melissa WolfKlain earlier in the show.

In addition, Ryan Drummond was one of the two recipients for best supporting actor in a musical.

"Singin' in the Rain" also picked up best scenic design and best costume honors.

The Shellie for outstanding production in a play went to the Town Hall Theatre Company's rendition of "The Farnsworth Invention."

The best actress in a musical went to Molly Bell, who had performed an enthusiastic rendition of "If They Could See Me Now" from "Sweet Charity" a few minutes before her award.

The honor for best actress in a play was given to Jennifer Brown Peabody for "Spots of a Leopard."

Best actor in a play was awarded to Ben Johnson of "The 39 Steps."

The Shellie for best direction in a play went to Mark Anderson Phillips, also of "The 39 Steps."

One memorable moment came when 15-year-old Alex Schepers was awarded the Shellie for best supporting actor in a play for portraying "Radar" in "M*A*S*H." His mother, Dianna Schepers, accepted the award, saying her son didn't attend because he was certain he wasn't going to win and didn't want to be disappointed.

The most humorous moment may have been when Pamela Hicks accepted her Shellie for best supporting actress in a musical for "The Sound of Music." Hicks developed a nosebleed, cut short her acceptance speech and laughingly left the stage with the help of Miss Shellie.

This year's Shellie Awards were hosted by Jeff Collister, Jerry Motta, Kerri Shawn and Michael White.

They noted that almost 1,000 Shellies have been handed out since the awards program began in 1980.

Clips from previous years were shown throughout Saturday's ceremony.

They also noted how the Shellies have grown, bringing in groups from other cities outside Walnut Creek.

There were five mayors who served as presenters Saturday night. There were also nine production companies represented.

Here is the list of the 2014 Shellie Award winners.

Outstanding Production, Musical: "Singin' in the Rain," Diablo Theatre Company

Outstanding Production, Play: "The Farnsworth invention," Town Hall Theatre Company

Best Actress, Musical: Molly Bell, "Sweet Charity"

Best Actor, Musical: Keith Pinto, "Singing' in the Rain"

Best Actress, Play: Jennifer Brown Peabody, "Spots of a Leopard"

Best Actor, Play: Ben Johnson, "The 39 Steps"

Best Direction, Musical: Dyan McBride, "Singin' in the Rain"

Best Direction, Play: Mark Anderson Phillips, "The 39 Steps"

Best Supporting Actress, Musical: Pamela Hicks, "The Sound of Music"

Best Supporting Actor, Musical: Vince Perry, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and Ryan Drummond, "Singin' In the Rain"

Best Supporting Actress, Play: Karen Leigh, "Going to the Chapel"

Best Supporting Actor, Play: Alex Schepers, "M*A*S*H"

Scenic Design, Play: Chris Hayes, "The Farnsworth Invention"

Scenic Design, Musical: Kelly James Tighe, "Singin' in the Rain"

Costumes, Musical: Carol Edlinger, "Singin' in the Rain"

Costumes, Play: Liz Martin, "She Stoops to Conquer"

Lighting Design, Musical: Marcia Madeira, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

Lighting Design, Play: Ronn Ton, "M*A*S*H"

Choreography: Jennifer Perry, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

Music Direction: Sean Kana, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"