In the Wings

Here, from producer Danielle Rudess, are the nominees in the Artistic (Performance) Categories for the 14th annual Metropolitan High School Theater Awards, to be handed out June 4, 2012 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill.

Photo by Barry Sabino/The Photo Shoppe: Nominees Nicole Heney and Albert Stanaj in Archbishop Stepinac’s production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” which garnered 15 nominations, not including the technical-merit category, for which schools can nominate themselves and have multiple nominations.

THE NOMINEES: PRODUCTION | BY THE NUMBERS | RUNNING LINES VIDEOS

 

(Click on linked names to watch a video of the performer delivering his or her favorite line from their show. Click “story here” to read an interview with the actor or actress.)

ARTISTIC CATEGORIES

Outstanding Overall Production

Archhbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera

Bergen County Academies – The King and I

Briarcliff H.S. – Sugar

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast

 

Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera – Nicole Heney (Christine)

Clarkstown South H.S. –Into the Woods – Nicole Riolo (Witch)

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer – Brittany DiNardo (Julia Sullivan)

Ossining H.S. –Aida – Mykaela Copeland (Aida) Story here.

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – Kathryn Faughnan (Belle) Story here.

Saddle River Day School – Gypsy – Skylar Gottlieb (Rose)

Photo by Photo Works: Pleasantville High School senior Kathryn Faughnan is nominated for her portrayal of Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” one of the production’s dozen nominations. The Broadway veteran (“Mary Poppins”) was nominated last year as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” and won the Metro in the same category in 2010 for playing Princess Winnifred in “Once Upon a Mattress.”

 

Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role

Academy of the Holy Angels – Footloose – Brendan Rooney (Ren McCormack)

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. –Phantom of the Opera – Albert Stanaj (Phantom)

Bergen County Academies –The King and I – Phillip Chen (The King)

Fair Lawn H.S. –Nine – Sean Dabney (Guido Contini)

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer – Thomas Kiely (Robbie Hart)

Westlake H.S. – Sam Stein – The Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair)

 

Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. –Phantom of the Opera - Samantha Kenny (Carlotta)

Hackensack H.S. – Grease – Caitlin Wickner (Rizzo)

Harrison H.S. –42nd Street – Madison Pollack (Dorothy Brock)

Hastings H.S. Pippin – Deanna Gondek (Catherine)

Ossining H.S. – Aida – Paris Beato (Amneris)

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – Jessica Gill (Mrs. Potts)

Saddle River Day School – Gypsy – Regan Moro (Louise)

St. Joseph Regional H.S. – Cabaret – Kelly Duffy (Fraulein Schneider)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. –Phantom of the Opera – Chris Guzman (Raoul)

Blind Brook H.S. –Hello Dolly! – Cole Bauer (Barnaby Tucker)

Clarkstown South H.S.– Into the Woods- Jonathan Quigley (Jack)

Hastings H.S. –  Pippin – Ben Shapiro (Theo)

Northern Higlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer – Colin Verhoff (Glen Gulia)

Ramsey H.S. – Curtains – Alex Zammitti – Curtains (Christopher Belling)

Spring Valley H.S. –Footloose - Hernz Laguerre, Jr. (Willard)

St. Joseph Reg. H.S. – Cabaret – Dan Gettler (Herr Schultz)

 

Outstanding Chorus

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera

Bergen County Academies – The King and I

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street

Ossining H.S. – Aida

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast

Rockland Country Day School – Urinetown

 

Outstanding Production Number

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera — “Masquerade”

Bergen County Academies – The King and I — “The Small House of Uncle Thomas”

Briarcliff H.S. – Sugar — “The Beauty that Drives Men Mad”

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine — “Follies Bergeres”

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street — “Forty-Second Street”

Hendrick Hudson H.S. – The Pajama Game — “7 ½ Cents”

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer — “Casualty of Love”

Ossining H.S. – Aida — “The Gods Love Nubia”

Pearl River H.S. – Damn Yankees — “The Game”

Tappan Zee H.S. – Sweet Charity — “Rhythm of Life”

 

Outstanding Featured Ensemble Member

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine – Celinda Ortega (Our Lady of the Spa)

Hackensack H.S. – Grease – Jake Lindenau (Eugene)

Ossining H.S. – Aida – Olivia Shaw (Nahebka)

Pearl River H.S. – Helen Schneider (Sister)

Rockland Country Day School – Urinetown – Jamie Pohs (Little Becky Two Shoes) Story here.

Salesian H.S. – Grease – George Ocampo (Teen Angel)

Solomon Schecter H.S. – The Pajama Game – Isabelle Joseph (Mae)

Tappan Zee H.S. – Sweet Charity – Maggie O’Rourke (Hostess)

 

Outstanding Featured Ensemble Group

Academy of the Holy Angels – Footloose – (Ariel, Rusty, Wendy Jo, Urleen) Nicole DeLuca, Alexandra Ann Pagnozzi, Kathia Cubas, Esther Lauture

Don Bosco Prep – Will Rogers Follies – (Will Rogers’ Wranglers) Will Martarano, CJ deNicola, John Trieste, Dylan Herina, Craig Dietel

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street – (Featured Dancers) Amanda Almeida, Yvonne Duah, Nicole Ferrara, Tori Feeney, Jackie Lesema, Andi Rella, Tori Lovallo, Olivia Pagano, Nicolett Mitil, Mikie Sakanaka

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – (Enchanted Objects) Emily Ultan, Thomas Gilroy, Emmalisa Stangarone, Jessica Gill, Benjamin Trombetta, Carol Wegner, Heather Kalish, Mariel Kalish

River Dell H.S. – Willy Wonka – (The Oompa Loompas)

Salesian H.S. – Grease – (Pink Ladies) Brianna Ragucci, Angela Fragale, Melissa McKay and Tabitha Joseph

Spring Valley H.S. – Footloose – (Ariel, Rusty, Wendy Jo, Urleen) Tendrina Alexandre, Amber Esmilio-Tomelden, Michaelle Vilsa, Nadege Isidor

 

Outstanding Duet

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera – “All I Ask of You” Nicole Heney/Chris Guzman (Christine/Raoul)

Briarcliff H.S. – Sugar – “Sugar” Dan Levine/John Alecci (Jerry/Daphne, Joe/ Josephine)

Clarkstown South H.S. – Into the Woods – “Hello Little Girl” Gina Tenore/Mitchell Schneider (Little Red Ridinghood/Wolf)

Don Bosco Prep – Will Rogers Follies – “The Big Time” Patrick Sweeney/Courtney Kofoed (Will Rogers/Betty Blake)

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street – “About a Quarter to Nine” Madison Pollack/Cayla Pettinato (Dorothy/Peggy)

Ossining H.S.- Aida – “Elaborate Lives” Mykaela Copeland/Derek Badger (Aida/Radames)

Rye Neck H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – “No Matter What” Elena Ruigomez/ Zack Unkenholz (Belle/Maurice)

Salesian H.S. – Grease – “Mooning” Tabitha Joseph/Anthony Sileo (Jan/Roger)

Tappan Zee H.S. – Sweet Charity – “Baby, Dream Your Dream” Olivia Konstantinidis/Madison Schindele (Nickie/Helene)

Westlake H.S. – The Drowsy Chaperone- “I am Adolpho” Melissa Trainor/Pablo Alania (The Drowsy Chaperone/Adolpho)

 

Outstanding Child Actor

Don Bosco Prep – Will Rogers Follies – Kristina Conzo (Will Rogers Junior)

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine – Sabrina Leibowitz (Little Guido)

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – Benjamin Trombetta (Chip)

Saddle River Day School –Gypsy – Caroline Cahill (Baby June)

Woodlands H.S. –Once on this Island – Ariana Otto (Little Timoune)

 

Outstanding Vocal Performance

Bergen County Academies – The King and I – Alexandra Urquiola (Lady Thiang)

Blind Brook H.S. –Hello Dolly! – Lindsay Nuckel (Irene Molloy)

Glen Rock H.S. – Grease – Rachel Francavillo (Rizzo)

Hackensack H.S. – Grease – Timothy Fischer (Teen Angel)

Harrison H.S. – 42ns Street – Cayla Pettinato (Peggy Sawyer) Story here.

Port Chester H.S. – All Shook Up – Rosie Veltri (Sylvia)

Ramsey H.S. – Curtains – Kristina Walz (Georgia Hendricks)

St. Joseph Reg. H.S. – Cabaret – Nicole DeLuca (Sally Bowles)

 

Outstanding Acting Performance

Blind Brook H.S. – Hello Dolly! – Nora Fisher (Dolly Gallagher Levi)

Don Bosco Prep – Will Rogers Follies – Patrick Sweeney (Will Rogers)

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – Emily Ultan (Cogsworth)

Solomon Schecter H.S. – The Pajama Game – Aaron Grand (Hines)

Spring Valley H.S. – Footloose – Alexandra Leslie (Vi)

Tuckahoe H.S. – Annie Get Your Gun – Nick Barbera (Buffalo Bill)

Westlake H.S. – The Drowsy Chaperone – Melissa Trainor (Drowsy Chaperone)

 

Outstanding Dance Performance

Bergen County Academies – The King and I – Sasha Paulovich (Eliza)

Don Bosco Prep – Will Rogers Follies – Jaclyn Scerbak (Ziegfield’s Favorite)

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street – Tori Feeney (Dime Girl)

Lakeland H.S. – Oklahoma! – Anthony DeMarte (Will Parker)

Saddle River Day School – Gypsy – Sean McKay (Tulsa)

Spring Valley H.S. – Footloose – Michael Johnson (Ren) Story here.

St. Joseph Reg. H.S. – Cabaret – Olivia Gonzales (Cheri)

Tappan Zee H.S. – Sweet Charity – Katie Leenig (Charity) Story here.

 

Outstanding Comic Performance

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera – Tim Stanson (Firmin)

Clarkstown South H.S. – Into the Woods – Jake Catsaros (Cinderella’s Father)

Glen Rock H.S. – Grease – Andrew Brancato (Sonny)

Hendrick Hudson H.S. – The Pajama Game – Noah Ruff (Hines)

Pearl River H.S. – Damn Yankees – Amelia Marino (Lola)

Salesian H.S. – Grease – Michael Pisacano (Sonny)

Tuckahoe H.S. – Annie Get Your Gun – Kaitlin Boyer (Dolly Tate)

The Ursuline School – Grease – Tom Spitzer (Roger)

 

Outstanding Orchestra (primarily student orchestras only)

Bergen County Academies – The King and I

Clarkstown South H.S. – Into the Woods

Edgemont H.S. – Oklahoma!

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine

Hendrick Hudson H.S. – The Pajama Game

Ramsey H.S. – Curtains

Pearl River H.S. – Damn Yankees

Tappan Zee H.S. – Sweet Charity

 

Outstanding Instrumentalist

Briarcliff H.S. – Grace Schulz (Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet)

Emerson H.S. – I Love a Piano – Graham Ullman (Violin & Clarinet)

Hendrick Hudson H.S. – The Pajama Game – Lee Meadvin (Drums)

Pearl River H.S. – Damn Yankees – David Aver (Bass)

Rockland Country Day School – Urinetown – Zoe Levine (Flute)

Tappan Zee H.S. – Sweet Charity – Grace Lee (Violin)

 

Outstanding Direction

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera – Frank Portanova

Bergen County Academies – The King and I – Victoria Pero

Blind Brook H.S. – Hello Dolly! – Christina Colangelo

Clarkstown South H.S. – Into the Woods – Justin Boccitto

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine – John Giresi

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer – Thomas Paster

Ossining H.S. – Aida – Jessica Beattie

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – Kathleen Donovan-Warren

Saddle River Day School – Gypsy – Kristin Reeves, Bruce Winant

 

Outstanding Choreography

Bergen County Academies – The King and I – Laurie Crochet

Glen Rock H.S. – Grease – Kendall Stagaard

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street – Deborah Toteda

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer – Danielle Brennan

Ossining H.S. – Aida – Melinda Irizarry

Salesian H.S. – Grease – Lena Gilbert

Spring Valley H.S. – Footloose – Stacey Tirro

Woodlands H.S. – Once on this Island – Nicco Annan

 

Outstanding Musical Direction

Archbishop Stepinac H.S. – Phantom of the Opera – Chloe Sasson

Briarcliff H.S. – Sugar – Carol Arrucci

Clarkstown South H.S. – Into the Woods – Kip Bonsignore

Fair Lawn H.S. – Nine – Steven Bell

Northern Highlands H.S. – The Wedding Singer – Gene Ryman, Thomas Paster

Pleasantville H.S. – Beauty and the Beast – Thomas Heintzelman

Saddle River Day School – Gypsy – Jackie Moro

Harrison H.S. – 42nd Street – Lynn Fusco

Click here for the Production Categories.