Europe entertainment awards show, ceremony set for April 23

By U.S. Army Installation Management Command – Europe Region Entertainment

Stars of stage, screen, TV and U.S. Army Installation Management Command – Europe will again appear at the 2016 Tournament of Plays (TOPPERs).

The TOPPERs Awards Show and Ceremony is April 23 at Armstrong’s Club in Kaiserslautern. Attended by more than 500 people, the event recognizes volunteer soldiers and family members involved in Entertainment programs across Europe.

The Awards Show is hosted by IMCOM-Europe Regional Director, Michael Formica. The show is full of music from TOPPERs singers, show numbers from all the adjudicated musicals and surprise special guests.

In 2015, Kristin Chenoweth, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Daniel Radcliffe, were among of host of celebrity performers that surprised and thrilled the audience by announcing some of the winners in pre-recorded videos.

“We were so excited [they] joined us in thanking the soldiers and family members for being part of the U.S. Army Europe Entertainment Branch program,” said Dane Winters, IMCOM-E entertainment director. “These incredibly talented people took the time to recognize the talent in our programs and the value of U.S. Army Entertainment in Europe.”

“To see our hard work is not only appreciated by the communities we support, but that it goes as far as Hollywood, is both thrilling and inspiring,” said Army Sgt. Laura Martin, from U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart and the 2015 “Best Military Actress in a Musical” winner.

“As an active duty soldier stationed overseas, you know you will have to leave many things behind,” Martin said. “What an amazing opportunity to have a program, like TOPPERs, that not only allows us to keep our love of acting alive and feel more connected to the United States, but also allows us to meet others from all over Europe who share the same passion.”

“The TOPPERs program had an enormous impact on my life as both a Soldier and actor,” said Army Lt. Col. Bryan Mitchell, assigned to the U.S. Africa Command at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart and 2015 “Best

“Each year over 3,000 soldiers and family members contribute over 300,000 volunteer hours putting on live music and theater events in their communities,” said Winters. “TOPPERs is our way of thanking them for making their communities better places to live.”