Whitnall's 'Once On This Island' Earns Outstanding Musical Award

Whitnall High School is proud to announce that its spring musical Once On This Island has been named “Outstanding Musical” by the 2014-15 Overture Center for the Arts Tommy Awards, a program that recognizes and encourages excellence in high school musical theater.

The “Outstanding Musical” award encompasses direction, musical direction, choreography, stage management, scenic design, lighting design and sound design. Thomas Weissgerber (direction, scenic design and lighting design); Toddy Stacey (musical direction); Karl Miller (choreography); Amy Stenzel (scenic design); Aaron Zimmerman (lighting design) and Jeff Russell, Kim Leonard and Professional Audio Designs (sound design) are included in the award recognition.

Whitnall student award-winners are Daniel Clarizio and Vince Piacentine for stage management, Anthony Metz for lighting design and Sarah Bauer, who earned the Spirit Award.

“This is an incredible honor for the cast and crew of Once On This Island, Whitnall High School, the school district and the community,” Weissgerber said. “We’re very proud of the work the students and all of those who support them put into all of our productions, and our spring musical was no exception.”

Nearly 2,000 people attended Once On This Island during its four-day run in March. Overall, the musical received 22 Tommy Award nominations.

“Mr. Weissgerber, the cast and the crew deserve all the accolades that come their way for their productions,” WHS principal Jackie Winter said. “These performances bring so many people together and are a real showcase of the talent the Whitnall School District has to offer.”

The Once On This Island cast will perform a medley at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison during an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 7. More information is available here.