“Urinetown”Wins 9

“Stars of Tomorrow”

Awards

The Newark High School Spring Musical Production of “Urinetown” won nine awards at the Rochester Broadway Theater League’s Stars of Tomorrow Recognition Ceremony May 8 at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester.

The awards of recognition in Division B schools included:

• Outstanding Musical Production

• Outstanding Leading Actress: Shea Matz as “Hope”

• Outstanding Supporting Actor: Ryan Tracy as “Officer Lockstock”

• Outstanding Supporting Actress: Kathryn Brinckman as “Little Sally”

• Outstanding Acting Ensemble

• Outstanding Production Crew

• Outstanding Singing Ensemble

The show was directed by Steve Dupre, who has directed award-winning musicals and plays at NHS for 13 years.

“I’m thrilled the kids got this kind of recognition,” Duprey said.

NHS vocal music teacher Jean Bendix was the musical director; NHS instrumental music teacher Dave Schwind was director of the band; Mary Lou Bonnell was the piano accompanist and Emily Howard helped produce the show as well as being the choreographer.

• “A Tip of the Hat” from Stars of Tomorrow Judges was presented to Grant Howard as “Officer Barrel”

• “Special Recognition,” submitted by individual school directors _ in this case Bendix _ was presented to Jenna Taylor. Since Taylor had performed in a musical one year, been a member of the stage crew another year, and had been a member of the pit band for the last two years, the directors felt she deserved this recognition. Bendix also noted Taylor was the only NHS student in the pit band this year, playing both baritone and trombone.

The jewel of the Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s education programs, the Stars of Tomorrow program gives recognition to high school musicals and its performing arts students in a nine-county area.

Participating schools are divided into four divisions based on population and geographic area, and judges are assigned to specific divisions to score individual schools in these categories: Dance, Acting and Singing Ensemble, Supporting Actor/Actress, Production Crew, Student Orchestra, Musical Production and Leading Actor/Actress. 

At the annual Stars of Tomorrow Recognition, participating schools have the opportunity to perform a selection from their musical on stage at the Auditorium Theatre. 

Awards of recognition are given to schools with the highest scores in each of the adjudicated categories, and students are given a chance to shine.