Actress Dale Dickey was overcome by emotion upon being recognized by the Clarence Brown Theatre.
Actress Dale Dickey is a Knoxville treasure. The Clarence Brown Theatre and her alma mater, the University of Tennessee, recently recognized her as such with the Clarence Brown Theatre Artistic Achievement Award, presented at the theater’s annual gala.
Held at the Jackson Terminal in Knoxville’s Old City, the event featured an “Around the World in 80 Days” theme in salute to the Clarence Brown’s recent season-closing performance of the play. Dickey was visibly moved by the salute presented by actress Carol Mayo Jenkins and Cal MacLean, the Clarence Brown Theatre’s artistic director.
“I owe everything to my family and friends and the Clarence Brown Theatre and the University of Tennessee,” Dickey said in accepting the award.
For her part, Jenkins acknowledged Dickey’s reputation as “the reigning queen of Southern gothic,” and declared, “We are so proud of her and we love her.” Jenkins also declared Dickey’s portrayal of the character of Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Clarence Brown Theatre to be “definitive.”
Dale Dickey is popping up everywhere these days. She’s been in 50 television projects and 40 films. She won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role in the film, “Winter’s Bone.” On TV, she is best known for her recurring roles in “Christy,” “My Name is Earl,” “Breaking Bad,” “Justified,” and “True Blood.”
Loved the props, especially the little hot air balloons which were offered for sale for $100 each.
Here’s one of them up close. Cute.
Here’s a big one!
Here’s Abby Ham with her boyfriend, Travis May. Ham and John Becker from WBIR-TV Channel 10 were the emcees.
Abby and John a little later in the evening.
Always great to see another Knoxville celebrity. That’s Doc Severinsen on the right with Jeff Pappas, head of the UT Music School, and his wife, Joni.
John Becker and me. (Photo by Abby Ham)
Margie Nichols, right, with Kari Alldredge.
Actress Jayne Morgan, left, with Tonja and Tony Johnson.
Mary Pom Claiborne with David Byrd, managing director of the Clarence Brown Theatre.
Cal MacLean, left, artistic director of the Clarence Brown Theatre, with Alexander Waters, a board member.
Barbara Apking, left, with Katharine Pearson Criss.
Charles Fels and Sara Fortune Rose.
Jeffrey Stanley and Liza Zenni, executive director of the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville.
Kent Farris, left, with Bob Lederer.
Margaret and Cliff Rodgers.
Rosalyn and Sheadrick Tillman.
More props.
Carol Mayo Jenkins, right, presenting Dale Dickey with her award.
Cal MacLean congratulates Dickey.
Dale Dickey points to friends in the audience during her acceptance speech.
Sheena McCall with Marcus Shirley.
Sheri and William Pender.
Ed and Corrine Patrick.
Neil and Maureen McBride.
Burke and Lezah Pinnell.
Rebecca MacLean, left, with Dale Dickey.
Wendy Hill, left, with her daughter, Haley Hill.
Steve Chambers-Wilson, left, and Kent Chambers-Wilson.
Melanie and Tom Wood.
Lyle and Trish Irish.
Richard Raridon and Fran Scheidt.
Doug McKamey, left, with Kent and Susan Farris.
Carol Mayo Jenkins, left, with Julia and Gary Bentley.
Charles Fels and Susan Sgarlat.
Gayle Burnett and John Atchley.
Finally, here are a few considerations for folks planning high-priced ticket events like this in the future.
It was a nice evening seeing Dale Dickey receive her award, and we really loved the decorations. Usually, I post photos of great food at these events. But, unfortunately, our food at this one wasn’t up to par. The beef main course, which was described on the menu as “Chateaubriand,” was grey and tasteless. It is really hard to serve a well-prepared piece of beef to so many people at once. And there’s no way you are going to be able to let each person order it at the temperature he or she prefers.
Worse was the service. When we sat down, we asked the server if my husband, Alan, who is on a heart-healthy diet, could have a vegetarian plate and were told that he could. But when the food came, it was the steak for Alan, just as for the rest of us. We reminded the server that we had ordered Alan the vegetarian plate and he apologized and went away to fetch it. He returned with the original plate and explained the kitchen was out of vegetarian plates. So, Alan just ate the few little vegetables that were on his plate. Tickets to this event ranged from $200 to $500 a piece — and higher. This was disappointing.
Additionally, when it came to white wine, there was no pinot grigio, only sauvignon blanc, which tasted like grapefruit juice, and chardonnay. I opted for water. And, for those who did want to drink the wine, the bar ran out of wine glasses and started serving the wine in plastic cups. Not appropriate for such an expensive event.
My friend John Winemiller shows off his plastic wine cup. That’s R.J. Hinde on the right.
Glad you let someone take your picture, Cynthia. You look great in that red top! Sorry Alan couldn’t eat. I’ve been in that same position more times than I can count.
Thanks, Michelle. It’s hard to say no to Abby Ham. Felt sorry for poor Alan.
I was one of those sponsors who was unable to attend. I was out of town. Glad to see your photos and appreciate your honest reporting on the problems.
Georgiana: Missed you. But understand you had fun at your annual “martini camp!”
Ha. A picture of you!!!!
Monique: I know. Ugh.
Several comments — loved the decor. (The CBT production of “Around the World…” was terrific! Wow — on the food, service, wine, etc. No excuse at $400-500 a couple. And, cute photo of you — red is your color! Wish we could of attended — we were out of town.
Ellen: Thanks! Missed you all.
I appreciate your graceful candor when covering these events. Good review.
Also, I was lucky to see a CBT production with Dale Dickey during my years at UTK when we were both students. You could see that she was a star on the rise, even then.
Deborah: Thanks for kind words. Lucky you to have seen her so early!
Nice review, but it’s jarring to see the term “actress” in 2017
Sandra: Sorry. Guess I wasn’t totally politically correct. My bad.
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