Recap of CT Musical Theater Awards Gala

The annual black tie gala for the Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards was held on Monday evening at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. The teens from the 19 nominated high school were dressed in their prom finery as they made their way into the majestic theater. Virtually all had traveled a long way by school bus to the city in order to attend the awards ceremony, and for many of them, to get the chance to perform on the Palace stage.

The evening began promptly at 6:30pm with some students from the participating high schools performing “Magic to Do” from the musical ‘Pippin.’ In between the verses, many of the students nominated for awards took center stage to take a bow, although the audience could not hear the majority of their names nor the categories they were nominated in.

The gossip in the lobby was that the production of ‘Rags’ by St. Paul Catholic HS had been attended by one of the men responsible for the musical and he had been impressed with the interpretation of his work. A director from one of the participating schools whispered that the production of ‘West Side Story’ by Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts was expected to sweep the awards because it was so amazing in every way.

The VIP Master of Ceremonies of this year's gala was Broadway actor Arbender Robinson, the first African American to play Marius in ‘Les Miserable’ on Broadway. Mr. Robinson, a self-confessed former science geek, is currently in the ensemble of the 2016 musical ‘Shuffle Along’ with Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter, and he is on the faculty at Broadway Method Academy. Throughout the evening, the handsome young actor kept things moving along in a very genial manner and frequently commented how impressed he was by the student performers.

As the evening progressed, everyone in the audience was equally in awe of the talent that we have in Connecticut high schools. Mixed in with the announcements of the award winners were musical numbers from the six shows nominated for Outstanding Production, as well as performances by the five young men nominated for Best Leading Actor and the six young women in the Best Leading Actress category.

Outstanding Leading Actor nominee Justin Weigel of Brookfield HS, who played the title role in ‘Willy Wonka,’ sang “Pure Imagination” in his excellent costume. Matt Falkowski of Greater Hartford Academy of Arts, who played Tony in their ‘West Side Story’ performed a duet from the show with Best Actress nominee Sydney Weiser as Maria. Jacob Freedgood, the Baker in New Canaan’s ‘Into the Woods’ performed his number from the show and Brooks Petershack did an amazing job of Beast’s solo “If I Can’t Love Her” from the Newtown HS production of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Michael Lepore played Finch in Trumbull High’s take on ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ and performed “I Believe in You” with the executives from the cast. Mr. Lepore took home the Outstanding Leading Actor award and in his acceptance speech thanked all the teachers that have made a “permanent impact” on him.

The Outstanding Leading Actress nominees all performed with poise. Julia Torok of Cheshire High School sang “Feed the Birds” from ‘Mary Poppins’ and Anika Deshpande sang a solo from Guilford High School’s ‘West Side Story.’ Sadie Seelert, who played Cinderella in New Canaan High School’s ‘Into the Woods,’ performed “On the Steps of the Palace” in full ball gown. Chiara Giampietro performed as Rebecca in the Saint Paul Catholic High School’s acclaimed production of ‘Rags.’ Maggie Walsh sang “Pulled” from the Valley Regional High School’s production of ‘The Addams Family’ with the winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actor Award Jonny Leffingwell as Pugsley. The winner was Sydney Weisner from Greater Hartford Academy of Arts, who also played Wednesday in the Warner Theatre’s production of ‘The Addams Family,’

Outstanding Supporting Actress went to Dana Wilton who played Bella in the St. Paul Catholic impressive production of ‘Rags’ and the Outstanding Featured Performer went to Tessa Coleman who played Rachel in the same production; Ms. Coleman accepted her award in a fabulous floral gown. ‘Rags’ was also awarded the Outstanding Sound Design prize.

Jessica Spillane of Trumbull HS was awarded a special Excellence in Arts Education award and also won the Outstanding Direction prize for ‘How to Succeed…’ She told the audience that the purpose of the Trumbull HS program is to empower students and she has instituted a dramaturgy class at the school.

The Sharks/Jets ensemble from Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, which earned 13 nominations danced away with the Outstanding Ensemble Group award; I spotted the wonderful Michael Ricciardone as one of the talented dancers. Outstanding Child Actor was awarded to Luke Audie who appeared as Michael Banks in the Cheshire HS version of ‘Mary Poppins’ and probably had the most heartfelt acceptance speech.

Last year’s winner in the leading actress category was Chiara Giampietro from St. Paul Catholic, who was again nominated this year. She got to perform a solo of “It All Fades Away” from ‘The Bridges of Madison County.’ Her male counterpart was Zac Gottschall, a Trumbull HS graduate who sang “Shiksa Goddess” from ‘The Last Five Years.’

The award presenters included Kelly Wuzzardo of the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Talia Ryder and her sister Mimi of ‘Matilda’ on Broadway and Broadway producer Van Dean, a Trumbull High alum and a strong supporter of young performers.

The orchestra under the direction of Emmett Drake, sat onstage and sounded amazing. The acceptance speeches by all of the students were touching and personal and the adults always thanked the students involved in their productions.

The top productions of the year all had a chance to perform a number or medley from their musical. Amity Regional HS reprised the finale from their wonderful ‘Into the Woods’ in full costumes. Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts did the quintet from their ‘West Side Story’ and blew us all away with their dancing. New Canaan High School’s ‘Into the Woods’ was also performed in full costume, as was the Simsbury HS production. The pieces of St. Paul Catholic’s ‘Rags’ made me wish I could have seen the full production of this seldom produced musical. Trumbull High’s medley from ‘H2S’ was so well done and Valley Regional High School’s production of ‘The Addams Family’ included a huge number of ancestors. In the final award of the evening, it was Trumbull High School that was sitting close to me that took home the award for Outstanding Production of the Year for 2016.

I am always happy to be a part of this very formal evening in order the see the wonderful bits of the various shows, most of which I have not been able to attend for a review. So many schools have their performances on the exact same weekend. Every year I come away from this gala wishing that I could have seen many more of them.

Click here to read the list of winners.