Howell Student Nominated For Basie Award For 'Young Frankenstein'

HOWELL, NJ — Among the nominees for the 2022 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theater, is a student from Howell High School, Lindsay Waldman.

Waldman is but one of many other nominees from the Freehold Regional High School District's theater programs, but the only nominee from Howell, according to the Howell High School website. She was cited for her featured female performance in "Young Frankenstein," according to the district post.

Now in its 17th year, the Basie Awards program is modeled after the Tony Awards and evaluates musical and drama productions in high schools throughout Monmouth County, according to a press release from thebasie.org. A rubric is used to assess performance in 25-plus categories, recognizing excellence in everything from acting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting, and orchestra.

Winners will be announced at the Basie Ceremony in late May. The Basie is in Red Bank.

Freehold Regional High School District schools were nominated in the following categories:

Outstanding Costume Design

• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Debbie Bilotta, Kathy Stewart, Anthony Greco
• Manalapan High School: "Clue"; Playtime Costumes

Outstanding Set Design

• Manalapan High School: "Clue"; Amanda Colonna and Andrew Ciraulo
• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Ashley Cusack

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Jim Lyle and Anthony Greco

Outstanding Direction

• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Anthony Greco

Outstanding Dramatic Production

• Manalapan High School: "Clue"
• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"

Featured Ensemble Performer

• Colts Neck High School: "Exit The Body"; Saverio Renda
• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Kat Wyrovsky
• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Sydney Katz

Supporting Actress in a Drama

• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Jessie Behman
• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Camille-Sophie Krakowski
• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Danielle Lirov

Lead Actress in a Drama

• Marlboro High School: "Decision Height"; Olivia Conti

Lead Actor in a Drama

• Manalapan High School: "Clue"; Brendan O’Brien

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical

• Freehold High School: "Grease"; Catherine Cleary
• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Anthony Greco

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical

• Freehold High School: "Grease"; Kevin Gunther
• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Ashley R. Cusack

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical

• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Jim Lyle and Anthony Greco

Outstanding Choreography in a Musical

• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Jessica O’Brien

Outstanding Musical Direction

• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Patrick Dalton

Outstanding Small Music Ensemble

• Freehold High School: "Grease"; Eric Gross

Outstanding All Student Orchestra

• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Patrick Dalton
• Freehold Township High School: "Curtains"; Edward Gattsek

Outstanding Direction in a Musical

• Freehold High School: "Grease"; Kasiann Sweeney
• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Anthony Greco

Outstanding Musical Production

• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Anthony Greco

Featured Female Performer

• Howell High School: "Young Frankenstein"; Lindsay Waldman
• Colts Neck High School: "Bye Bye Birdie"; Carly Cavanaugh

Featured Male Performer

• Freehold Township High School: "Curtains"; Phillip Glenn
• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Nicholas Lutz

Supporting Actor in a Musical

• Freehold High School: "Grease"; Dubem Echezona

Lead Actress in a Musical

• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Olivia Conti
• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Alyssa Kiselev
• Marlboro High School: "Honk!"; Danielle Lirov