Phantom Production Up for Theater Awards

Hillsborough High School’s Phantom of the Opera cast is a few steps closer to the professional stage.

That’s because the spring musical’s performance received award 10 nominations for the Papermill Playhouse’s Rising Star awards for its production and is among the schools that received the most nominations.

“It’s awesome,” Director BJ Solomon said.  “We’ve been part of the awards since before I was here.  .  .We’ve received one award in five years. We had really phenomenal leads to pull this show off.  I think we just keep getting better and better.”

“It’s like the Tony Awards of (high school) musical theater,” he added.  “It’s really exciting to get recognition, especially from Papermill Playhouse.”

While the cast had a week to celebrate—at the time of the interview, Solomon joked that they were still partying—the group settles into another set of rehearsals this week.  That’s because the students will perform a section of their show for the other nominees during the awards ceremony.

Solomon was quick to add that performing at the awards ceremony does not mean the school will win any awards.  Still, he and the cast are proud of the show’s impact on Hillsborough audiences.

“I was really really proud of the show we put on stage,” Solomon said.  “People came up to us after the show and told us how unbelievably moved they were. It doesn’t change how proud we are of the show.”

“I feel like the talent was so much more advance than the previous shows I’ve been in,” Peter Miller, who played Joseph Buquet, said.  “I’ve put more work into this show than any other show I’ve ever been in.”

The school’s nominations include Best Overall Musical, Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role for Vanessa Viscomi’s portrayal of Carlotta Giudicelli, Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra, Outstanding Performance by a Teacher or Director for Solomon, Outstanding Scenic Achievement for Solomon and Kevin Gunther’s sets, Outstanding Lighting Achievement for Scott Godron and Kyle Kravette, Outstanding Costuming Achievement for Pam Christian’s costumes, Outstanding Hair and Makeup Achievement for Melissa Blevins’ makeup designs, Outstanding Achievement in Lobby Design for Agnes Irizarry and Carol Kravette’s work on the lobby, and the Educational Impact Award for its fundraising for Broadway Cares.

“It was really gratifying for the award nominations because the process of putting on the show was really hard,” Kevin Vega, who served as the show’s jeweler, said.  “There would be times where we changed someone in 28 seconds into a whole different dress. It’s not just the show, it’s the behind-the-show.”

The show also received honorable mentions for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction for producer Christine Micu’s work, Outstanding Performance by a Chorus, Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group for the show’s “Ballet Girls”, Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Scott Cesta’s performance of Raoul, and Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Stephanie Christian’s portrayal of Christine Daae.

“Especially for the Ballet Girls, we worked really hard to get everything precise,” Becky Bumpel said.  “I was very proud to think that we went from not taking ballet at all to being a professional ballet dancer in a show.”

To receive the nominations, each school submits a show packet and DVD detailing various aspects of the show for a panel of four judges. Shows receive nominations based on the judges’ determinations after attending a performance and the school receives a packet with reviews.

“It’s not all about telling you how fantastic you are,” Solomon said. “We’ve had years where the reviews have been hard to stomach.”

“I think it’s a simulation of what real life is,” Producer Christine Micu said.  “It’s kind of a taste of what real life is. It’s good for the community and the school district.”

The school will learn the results—and whether it won any awards—on June 7.