RED BANK – The 8th Annual Count Basie Theatre “Basie Awards” were held May 22 in the grand tradition of Broadway’s Tony Awards™.
The Basie Awards honor excellence in Monmouth County High School theatrical productions, and this year’s standing room only event proved once again that Monmouth County is bursting with talented and dedicated students and faculty.
“The Basie Awards has created a community of respectful and disciplined youngsters who all understand the transformative life skills learned through the arts and that the real value of an award is the process of learning,” said Yvonne Scudiery, Count Basie Theatre’s director of education.
The Basie Awards were sponsored in part by Barnabas Health-Monmouth Medical Center, promoting awareness of the importance of the arts in physical and mental well-being.
Among the students and productions winning Basie Awards were:
Rumson-Fair Haven’s production of A Christmas Carol, for Outstanding Production, Drama; Suzanne Sweeney, Outstanding Director, Drama; Dino Pagano and Suzanne Sweeney, Outstanding Set Design, Drama; Matthew Hervilly and Kasiann Sweeney, Outstanding Lighting Design, Drama; and Jack Newsome, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama.
Ranney School’s Ben Puvalowski for Outstanding Lead Actor, Drama, for Twelfth Night.
Red Bank Regional High School’s production of Little Women garnered awards for Claudia O’Connor and Carl Grillo, Outstanding Set Design, Musical; Camille Thompson, Outstanding Orchestra, Musical student/adult; and for the school’s production of Little Mermaid, Junior, Madelyn Monaghan and Meg Kelly each won Outstanding Featured Ensemble Performer, Musical.
Mater Dei Prep’s production of All Shook Up: Cindy Dwyer, Outstanding Musical Direction; Samantha Amaral, Outstanding Choreography, Musical; and Outstanding Chorus, Musical.
Monmouth Regional High School’s production of Once on This Island: Anthony Greco, Outstanding Lighting Design, Musical; and Mindy Mindas, Outstanding Orchestra, Musical, All Student.
Middletown High School South’s production of Cabaret: Elias Kotsis, Outstanding Lead Actor, Musical.
Red Bank Catholic High School’s production of Lucky Stiff, Joseph Pignataro Evaluators Special Award.
Patti Dunnells won Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Arts Education.
