Acme Theater takes several honors at festival

Maynard's Acme Theater won so many awards at last weekend's New England Regional Festival for community theater, you would think they had staged ''Lord of the Rings."

At the competition in Manchester, N.H., the troupe took top honors for Best Production for ''Lonely Planet." They also swept five other categories. Dave Sheppard of Maynard won Best Director, his third win at the regionals. The play's two actors, Tom Berry of Lynn and David Fisher of Waltham, tied for Best Actor. John Murtagh of Waltham won Best Stage Manager. Tito Juarez of Maynard won Best Set Design. Gregg Thomas of Maynard won Best Costume Design. The win places Acme in the top 10 community theater groups in the country and qualifies it for the next round of competition.

In June, the troupe will represent New England at the National Festival of Community Theatres in Michigan.

DENISE TAYLOR