Halo Awards 2018 Wrap Up

All photos by Gary Rosengrant

Waterbury, CT - The 15th Annual Halo Awards were given out over two nights at Waterbury’s Palace Theatre and as usual, a large number of well-dressed teenagers and their teachers packed the magnificent venue to celebrate the winners.

The list of the Tuesday winners are posted here and the Wednesday night winners can be viewed here.

Both evenings were hosted by the indomitable actress and motivational speaker Michelle Gotay, who took over for WATR’s general manager Thomas Chute when the event was expanded to two nights due to the increase in the number of participating high schools. Ms. Gotay made her entrance channeling Dolly Levi from ‘Hello, Dolly!’ (see above) and charmed the audience with her big personality. She threw me a big kiss as she made her entrance on Wednesday evening.

Presenters included some Waterbury celebrities. NVCC theatre instructor Sasha Bratt attended to check out the up and coming talent, as did CT State Representative Stephanie Cummings. It was so heartwarming to see the beloved Selim Noujaim present the first set of awards on Tuesday. Professional actors included Christina Carlucci, Joyce Jeffrey, Edward La Cardo, Diane Magas, Meghan Rickard, Kadie Lee Tolderlund, Boe Wank and the lovely Mandy Leigh Thompson. It was also good to see the Halos coordinator Melissa Stemmer on the stage instead of behind the scenes.

Seven Angels Artistic Director Semina De Laurentis reminded us that fifteen years ago, the Halos began with 12 high schools; there are currently exactly 60 schools that participate. This year the volunteer judges attended 111 productions involving over 6,000 students. Ms. De Laurentis told both audiences that this is a program that is near and dear to the hearts of Seven Angels and let the teens know that they could use their ticket for the evening as a free pass to attend any upcoming show at Seven Angels Theatre. There are also opportunities for internships at Seven Angels available to interested teens.

Tuesday night opened with a performance by the big cast from Newington HS with a medley from their production of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Four ladies from Kinsella Magnet School performed “Just a Housewife” from their production of ‘Working.’ Cromwell HS presented a fine rendition of the title song from their production of ‘Legally Blonde,’ followed by “Tradition” from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ by Northwestern Regional 7 HS.

After the Special Recognition Awards were distributed, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts showcased the dance number “Music in the Mirror” from ‘A Chorus Line.’ This was followed by “Ten Minutes Ago” from the Watertown HS production from ‘Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)’ Bristol Eastern HS showed off “Can’t Help Falling in Love” from their show ‘All Shook Up.’

Holy Cross HS featured “Gee, Officer Krumpke’ from their musical ‘West Side Story,’ followed by three ladies from Wilby HS performing “I Know it’s Today” from ‘Shrek the Musical.’

W.F. Kaynor Technical HS brought Jojo and Horton for “Alone in the Universe” from ‘Seussical The Musical’ and many cast members of Chase Collegiate School’s production of ‘Gypsy’ performed a medley from their show. Students from St. Luke’s School sang “Don’t Be The Bunny” from their production of ‘Urinetown.’ Notre Dame HS students in costume performed the intricate “Your Fault/Last Midnight” from ‘Into the Woods,’ and Shepaug Valley HS students in costume did “Kalamazoo” from ‘The 1940’s Radio Hour.’

More awards ended with the presentation of Gypsy of the Year to Tyler Nizzardo from WAMS (pictured above) who appeared in the marvelous production of ‘Memphis.’

The first act ended with Nonnewaug HS performing “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)” from their amazing production of ‘Footloose’ with Todd Gorski on piano. And yes, they brought the pommel horse...

Act II opened with Torrington HS doing the finale from their fine production of ‘In the Heights,’ with Justin Torres wowing the crowd with his portrayal of Usani. After the traditional honoring of the teachers, Stonington HS sang a medley from ‘9 to 5’ in full costume. Nathan Hale-Ray HS students performed “Home” from their show ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The Gunnery sand “Another Day” from their production of ‘Rent,’ followed by Wolcott High School’s performance of “A Lovely Night” from ‘Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)’ with Christine Manolo on the piano.

Farmington HS students performed “Matchmaker” from their musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ right before the 7th inning stretch led by Jimmy Donohue in a rousing “YMCA.” New Britain HS students did “Pulled” from their production of ‘Addams Family’ and the cast of Immaculate HS donned their costumes to present “Hand Jive/We Go Together” from ‘Grease.’

Guilford HS wowed the audience with “In the End of Time” from their production of ‘School of Rock’ This high school went home with the Halo for Best Contemporary Musical. The final performance of the evening was by the cast of WAMS’ “Memphis,” with Marianna Vagnini-Daddamo on the piano.

WAMS won five Halos on Tuesday. Zani Scott (as Felicia) was awarded the Halo for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Contemporary Musical. Best Comic Male Performance in a Musical went to Dior Barnes as Bobby, a Special Recognition Award for Up and Coming went to Eric Canfield (for his leading role as Huey). WAMS also earned Best Chorus so the Gypsy of the Year award went to Mr. Nizzardo.

Wednesday evening opened with New Canaan HS tapping through “Opening Tap/Montage” from their musical ‘42nd Street’ in full costume. New Milford HS students were the epitome of grace under pressure when their accompaniment CD failed to work and required a reboot of the computer before they could perform “Show People” from ‘Curtains’ in full costume.

Ridgefield HS presented a solo of “There’s Music in You” from ‘Cinderella (2013 edition)’ followed by Kennedy and Sacred Heart High Schools teaming up for “Baltimore Crab” from ‘Hairspray.’ Oxford HS showed off the number “Da-Doo” from ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ and Mark T. Sheehan HS students performed a medley from ‘Bye, Bye, Birdie.’

After the Special Recognition Awards, Woodland Regional HS took to the stage for “Jitterbug” from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ followed by Trinity Catholic HS with “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from ‘Guys and Dolls.” Sacred Heart Academy danced through “Me Ole’ Bamboo” from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Old Saybrook HS performed “Wolf Dance #2” from ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ New Fairfield HS sang and danced to “When You’re An Addams” from ‘The Addams Family’ in full costumes.

The first act closed with “Footloose” from ‘Footloose’ by Darien HS in great colorful costumes. Act II opened with Weston HS performing “Honey Buns” from ‘South Pacific’ in full costumes.

After the teacher recognition, which never gets old, East Lyme HS sang “Forever” from ‘Shrek the Musical’ with very clever dragon costumes and makeup. Westover School presented one young actress singing “Hold On’ from their show ‘The Secret Garden’ with piano accompaniment. Suffield Academy also sang “Baltimore Crabs” from ‘Hairspray.’

The four leads from Seymour HS showed off their great costumes from their production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ with “If I Only/We’re Off to See the Wizard” but sadly, they could not bring the 45 kindergarten students that were part of the show.

Hopkins School gave a memorable performance of “Dead Gay Son” from ‘Heathers: The Musical’ (pictured above) right before the Fearless Award was presented. Fairfield College Preparatory School charmed with “All for the Best” from ‘Godspell,’ and Avon HS danced through “I Got Rhythm” from ‘Crazy for You’ with Brett Boles on the piano. Crosby HS reprised “When You’re An Addams” from their production of the gloomy/funny musical; their Grandma Addams was wrapped in a crocheted afghan.

The final performance of the evening was by Southington HS dressed in black and red for a medley from ‘Les Miserables’ and they deserved their standing ovation.

#halos2018

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417