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704-335-1010.
BEST HATCHET JOB
The Charlotte Observer
It was bad enough that the Observer took aim at the running time of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, a family musical that's still going strong on Broadway after 11 years. No, they had to cap off their review by stating that most families would be "happier at home... piled on the couch with a good book." When phones stopped ringing for B&B tickets at the fledgling Charlotte Summer Theatre, critic Julie York Coppens acted as if there couldn't be any possible connection between what she advised and what actually happened. To demonstrate their full support of Coppens' stance, the Observer quickly yanked the link to the controversial review from among the links to past Coppens columns at their website. Weasels.
BEST ABORTIVE COMEBACK
Tom Vance
OK, so Vance didn't get the greatest support from our esteemed daily for his sterling production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. He sure drew admirable artistic support from some of the finest actors who worked for him over the past 31 seasons at CPCC Summer Theatre, the company he founded -- and was unceremoniously dismissed from last December. It's easy enough to believe that Vance had the heart to build a new company, Charlotte Summer Theatre, after being trashed at CP. What's hard to believe is that he didn't have enough fight to soldier on after the damaging Observer review. Next time, Tom needs to find financial backing that won't buckle.
BEST DISAPPEARING ACT
Charlotte Rep Board Members
Who else but the delusional power-hungry board members at Charlotte Repertory Theatre? Arrogantly, they set their company's visionary founder packing. Cluelessly, they lost touch with their subscriber base. Then in an endgame scenario that would make the Keystone Kops look organized, they folded after announcing an attendance triumph, launching a new program and omitting to make desperate pleas to either their audience or corporate donors for a financial life-raft. As the company they wrecked capsized, Rep's board bowed out by blaming the city for not being hospitable to quality Equity theater. Amazing hubris -- even for leaders in Charlotte.
BEST MOVIE THEATER (QUALITY OF PRESENTATION)
AMC Carolina Pavilion
We almost always seem to go back and forth between Phillips Place and this exemplary theater. And why not? Both offer comfortable seating, up-to-date equipment, and experienced managers to guarantee patrons a top-flight viewing experience. The intangibles shift the balance in the Pavilion's favor this year -- that, plus they have more parking.
9541 South Boulevard. 704-643-4AMC.
BEST MOVIE THEATER (QUALITY OF FILMS)
The Manor Theatre
Other movie theaters flirt with offering alternative fare, but this is the only venue fiercely committed to providing it on a daily basis. What the Regal chain's recent buyout of Eastern Federal Corporation (which previously owned the Manor) means for this theater is anybody's guess, but if, come this Friday, the Manor is playing The Dukes of Hazzard on both screens, then we'll know bad times are ahead.
607 Providence Road. 704-334-2727.
BEST FILM SERIES
Charlotte Film Society's "Second Week" Series
Speaking of the Regal's acquisition of the Manor, that changing of the guard may also decide the fate of this long-running series dedicated to foreign and independent fare. Let's hope cool heads prevail: The city needs the Charlotte Film Society. Period.
704-414-2355.
BEST VIDEO/DVD RENTAL SELECTION
VisArt
We see that in this category, the readers went with Blockbuster for the zillionth time. Certainly, if your example of daring cinema is watching three Rob Schneider comedies back to back, then that selection makes sense. But VisArt goes waaay beyond the usual choices. Where else in town can you find shelves labeled "Troma" (as in the cult studio), "Fassbinder" (as in German writer-director Rainer Werner) and "Farsi" (as in the language)? Here, there aren't just "Comedies" -- management gets nitpicky for the customers' benefit, offering subsections titled (among others) "Dark Humor" and "British Comedies." Leave Blockbuster to the unwashed masses; true movie fans shop here.
1945 East Seventh Street. 704-343-3031.
BEST LOCAL AUTHOR
Frye Gaillard
Gaillard, a longtime, respected voice in Charlotte, published one of his best books during the past year: Cradle of Freedom: Alabama and the Movement That Changed America (University Alabama Press). This was accomplished while he was also co-director of Novello Festival Press, the nation's only publishing house directly affiliated with a public library. Frye has been a steady journalistic presence in Charlotte over the years, promoting local writers while producing his own exceptionally well-researched, understated and graceful work. He is moving back to Alabama soon and will be sorely missed.