Local Productions, Students Don't Win Gene Kelly Awards

Local school musicals and students attended the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s 21st annual Gene Kelly Awards tonight, and though they didn't win any awards, they didn't walk away empty-handed.

This year, Riverview High School was up for three awards—best choreography, best ensemble and best costume design in budget category III—for its performance of "Beauty and the Beast." Woodland Hills High School took the award for best costume design in the budget category for its production of "The Phantom of the Opera," and North Hills High School took the prize for best choreography and best ensemble for "No, No, Nanette."

Plum High School junior Jonathan Andrew was nominated in the best actor category for the role of "Ren" in "Footloose." Luke Halferty of Central Catholic High School, who played "Tevye" in the school's production of "Fiddler on the Roof," won the award.

Michele Bartos, assistant director and dramatics coach of Riverview's musical, said the students and everyone involved with local musicals take much more away from the experience than just awards.

"Each year we receive our judges notes regarding our production," she said. "We read these notes and take the positives as well as the negatives into consideration for future productions. We all can learn.      

"The important thing we remember is that we do a spring musical for the learning experience, not for a Gene Kelly Award. We participate in the Gene Kelly Award program for what it gives to us."