Thought you’d like to know a bit about the emcee for tomorrow’s Metro Awards, the high-school equivalent of the Tony Awards for the Lower Hudson Valley.
He’s Adam Seitz, a Broadway veteran (“The Ritz,” “Talk Radio,” “Barefoot in the Park”) who has appeared in two Woody Allen films, “Sweet and Lowdown” and “Celebrity.”
On the small screen, he has been on “Law and Order,” “Third Watch,” “The Sopranos” and “The Chris Rock Show.”
Seitz is also a stand-up comedy and improv veteran, having appeared at Comic Strip, Catch a Rising Star, StandUp NY and with the New York Improv Allstars at the Friars Club.
Sounds like a guy who can think on his feet, which would make him a good fit for The Metros, an adrenaline-fueled celebration of high-school musicals.
Last year marked a change at the Metros, as producer Danielle Rudess made the difficult but appropriate decision to forgo inviting Broadway stars—I remember chatting with Tony-winner Beth Leavel (“The Drowsy Chaperone”), who was blown away by the talent and energy in the room—in favor of focusing on the kids. It had gotten to the point where all of the introductions of presenters took longer than the awards, Rudess says, so she went with a single emcee.
This year, in a new wrinkle, Rudess has invited schools to send announcer wannabes backstage to read off the names of nominees. These budding Ed McMahons—or Andy Richters—will help to move the proceedings along.
When I get to the Paramount tomorrow afternoon, I’ll try to get a minute or two with Seitz, which you can see on our pre-show backstage webcast—at lohud.com—starting at 5:45 p.m. We’ll chat with nominees from all over for about an hour and then take a break to set up for the webcast of the ceremony, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Gonna be fun. Be sure to tune in.
Just to refresh your memory, here are links to the nominees.
THE NOMINEES: ARTISTIC | PRODUCTION | BY THE NUMBERS | RUNNING LINES VIDEOS
1 Comment
Ok. Once we found out they were announcers were HS students, our attitude changed. But come on, it ruined the name with the desocration of, not only the actor’s names, but the school names… Solomon schechter & Stepinac. Do your homework!!!! Maybe schools can send a tape in of the pronunciation of each nominees name ( and school)!!! As far as the emcee, we thought he was right on!!!! He did not take the spotlight!!! Personalized the evening to where the students could relate and kept the night rolling!!! He’s a keeper! It would be nice to have a comic “star” from the area. How about an emcee showdown prior to the event?
Patsy & friends