Theater Arts Instructor Joseph Beck was honored with the Independent Award, bestowed by the Santa Barbara Independent for his performance in the Santa Barbara City College production of Laughter on the 23rd Floor last summer. The awards ceremony took place at the Lobero on Monday, May 24.

Joseph was recognized for his representation of Max Prince in the production of Laughter on the 23rd Floor.  The production is a Neil Simon memory play about his days as a writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. Joseph’s performance was based on Sid Caesar, a role originally played by Nathan Lane on Broadway and in the film version.

The Independent Award is given each year to honor local note-worthy and memorable productions and performances. It also functions as a get-together for the community in honor of the recipients.

Joseph is currently directing a show at the Circle Bar B Dinner Theater, the 1960s bedroom farce The Girl in the Freudian Slip. A hysterical piece about a psychiatrist’s relationship with a particular patient, it’s part What About Bob, part Fatal Attraction, and part The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. The show opens Saturday, May 29 and runs Friday through Sunday until July 11, with no show on the 4th of July. The producer is offering an opening weekend special - $35 tickets. A ticket includes a delicious tri-tip dinner and a seat at the show. The reservation line is 967-1962.