I’ve always enjoyed the Oscars – really, any award show for that matter. I think anyone who ever worked on stage or in film had those dreams of one day being recognized by their peers for the work they’ve done. I know I certainly did.

I remember in the 90s I was cast in a four person show called The Cocktail Hour by A.R. Gurney. It was basically a comedy about an upper class, privileged family whose privileges did not prevent family tensions from escalating.

The show was well received by audiences, so much so that it was extended for a couple of weeks. At the end of the season, when the theatre held their annual black tie awards banquet, we were pleased to discover that all four cast members of our show were nominated in their respective categories. And as the banquet progressed, one by one, the actors of our show were awarded trophies. We were on our way to a full sweep of the acting categories. Mine was the last category to be announced. I thought I’d be a shoe-in as my character was the catalyst of the story and was onstage 95% of the time. I lost, (which I didn’t mind so much) but I lost to a guy who played the piano in a musical review and had no lines. That irked me a little.

Then again, I did meet and marry my co-star from that show so I can’t complain too much. I’ve always considered her to be the trophy I brought home.

Michael Ondrasik and Home Video Studio of Mount Dora specialize in the preservation of family memories. For more information, call 352-735-8550 or visit www.homevideostudio.com/mtd.