Tighe Wins Regional Theatre Award, Competes on Broadway

What can a high school senior do for an encore after playing the title role in esteemed production of P.T. Barnum? If you're Andy Tighe you can graduate and take your musical portrayal to the New York stage. 

Regional theatres around the country hold competitions for best performance in a musical nominating one young man and one young woman to compete in the National Music Theatre Awards held in New York City each year.

Tighe won the "Spotlight on Stars Award" sponsored by the North Shore Music Theatre and joined 49 of his peers from across the country on June 22 for the competitive performances on Broadway.

Tighe credits others for this accomplishment.

"Mrs. Allison Kane the high school's artistic director gave me the gift of a musical such as Barnum," Tighe explained. "It's not an easy role to sing but with her support and the support of the cast and crew I was able to take on a role that showcased well to the veteran talents of professional theatre people."

Tighe has also been a member of The Boston Children's Theatre group for several years.

"I don't know where I'd be without the voice coach I work with there," said Tighe.

But Tighe's earliest and enduring encouragement has come from his family.

"My grandfather was a businessman with a passion for music," Tighe explained. "His own mother played the piano and it left a lasting impression on him. He had all his children take lessons."

"When it came to me my mother also supported my piano lessons," Tighe recounted. "When I developed a love of singing my grandfather saw the potential in me. Tough he died last year, before seeing me win the recent award, he was happy knowing that I was headed for a career on the stage."

The aspiring musical actors stayed with chaperones in New York University's Tisch dormitories. Rehearsals in the state-of-the art facilities at Tisch started at 9:00 a.m. and went as late as 10:00 p.m. each night until the night of the production where the group played to a packed house at the Minskoff Theatre. 

"I felt at home. Back stage, on stage, immersed in theatre culture and being part of the whole thing, it was an experience I don't have to look back on to know it was a high point in my life," Tighe said. "It was humbling and exhilarating. I was exhausted but excited. I mean one minute you're in your home town training and then you're in the epicenter of musical theatre with peers who are amazing at what they do."

When the curtain rose the ensemble of actors were all on stage with their backs to the audience. As they turned to face forward they got their first look at a full house of knowledgeable theatre people cheering for them.

"When our performance finished the audience jumped to their feet giving us a standing ovation. The friends I had made that week exchanged looks and we kind of laughed. We stood there trying to take it in. It was incredible to be recognized like that. It didn't matter that I was not the winning finalist. It was a win all the way for all of us." 

Tighe performed two solos as well as being part of a six-man group and the whole ensemble. Although he met several legends in theatre production and direction, and some Tony Award winners, his greatest compliment came quite unexpectedly.

"A member of Barnum's original production, with the incomparable vocals of Jim Dale heading the cast, said to me, 'Jim would be proud of you.' A compliment like that meant so much," Tighe said.  

Tighe will attend the Boston Conservatory of Music in the fall majoring in musical theatre.

"Just being at the Conservatory for the performance piece of my application felt like an honor," Tighe said. "The history and traditions that are there, I felt I was in 'hallowed halls.'"

Tighe hopes to be in one of the Boston Children's Theatre productions scheduled in early August.

His ultimate role?

"My grandfather took me to see Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera in New York. I've seen many New York productions since then but to this day I love those musical scores. To play the lead in Phantom ... I would be happy. I feel connected to my grandfather and I'd do it for him."