MONTEVALLO, Ala. —The Theatre 98 production of Horton Foote's 1953 play "The Trip to Bountiful," named Best Show of Festival, was the star of the recent Alabama Community Theatre Festival held in Montevallo, which was sponsored by the Alabama Conference of Theatre.

Winning out over community theaters from Anniston, Wetumpka and Trussville, Fairhope's Theatre 98 won the award for Best Production; Will Dobson won Best Actor in the role of Ludie Watts; Leslie Johnson won Best Actress playing Carrie Watts; and Liz Reed Best Supporting Actress for Jessie Mae Watts.

Medals and certificates of recognition were also received by the director Jonne Thornton for Outstanding achievement in Directing and Technical Production.

Others appearing in the play were Vicki Peace as the Young Woman, Paul Dirkes as the Ticket Man and Hal Knox as the Sheriff.

Jonne Thornton adapted Horton Foote's original script for the competition. Becky Thornton provided costumes and props and operated the light board. A medal of recognition was also received by Becky Thornton.

“It was an honor and privilege to direct “Trip to Bountiful,” said Thornton. “The play is a slice of life, neither comedy or tragedy, and the cast has worked hard to portray emotions and actions common to us all.

“About the award — I'm proud to know I'm not just a humbug and that others appreciate my efforts. I felt glad for the troupe in their receiving recognition for their dedication and confidence in me. I feel the acting awards were well deserved.”

Jonne Thornton, a 28-year teaching veteran, has taught theater, English and technology education from graduate level down to middle school and has taught all types of students.

He has a master of fine arts in production design from Ohio University, and has worked with theaters at the University of Georgia, University of West Florida and University of South Alabama as technical director; at the University of Montevallo as adjunct, and the Marietta School of Organic Education in Fairhope.

He also worked with the Saenger Theatre restoration through University of South Alabama.

In addition to Theatre 98, Thornton has participated in community theater groups such as First Theatre Company of the Deep South, Mobile and the Chilton County Theatre Guild.

“I like working in the theater because of the people and the opportunity for a wide variety of artistic expression,” said Thornton. “Also, it is something my wife, Becky, and I enjoy doing together,”

The play “A Trip to Bountiful” is set in Texas in the 1940s. Carrie Watts, an old woman, whose dream is to return to her old home place in Bountiful, feels trapped in a small apartment where she lives with her son and daughter-in-law. The story tells how she finally finds a way to overcome many obstacles and return to Bountiful for a brief visit.

In Montevallo, the one-hour versions of the original plays were judged on character interpretation, stage pictures and overall production.

As a result of the awards, Theatre 98 was selected as one of two groups to advance to the Regional Community Theatre Festival, which coincides with the 60th annual Southeastern Theatre Conference competition in Birmingham on March 4-8.

Community theaters from 10 Southeastern states will compete to represent the Southeast in the AACT Fest Year in Tacoma, Wash.