(RED BANK, NJ) -- Winners were announced May 24th at the 12th annual Basie Awards, the yearly celebration of excellence and achievement in Monmouth County high school theater. The Basie Awards cover both dramatic and musical productions.
“This year’s roster of musicals and dramatic productions were challenging choices for high school theater,” said Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, Vice President, Education, Count Basie Theatre. “These productions are continuing to set the bar higher and higher, resulting in outstanding professional quality work - and certainly making the job or our evaluation team a very difficult yet gratifying one.”
“Hearing the cheers in the theater drove home the point of just how much the Basies have enriched and brought together Monmouth County’s high school theater community,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Theatre. “Our board members, special guests and - of course - our nominees and families, always have this date etched on their calendars. Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, her team, our sponsors and the talented performers never let us down.”
In addition to recognizing high school talent, the BASIES’ Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Tom Martini, who has served for more than 30 years on the board of trustees for local theatrical group, Phoenix Productions. This honor is presented to individuals who have dedicated their lives to making art happen and art that matters in our community.
"I am honored to be recognized by the prestigious Count Basie Theatre organization,” Martini said. “The Basies have become an institution here in Central New Jersey and I am constantly in awe of the talent these kids have and the work they put in to create amazing productions."
Additionally, winners of the Count Basie Theatre’s Arts Impacts Scholarships were recognized at THE BASIES: Lucas Angelo Degirolamo of Ocean Township High School (Monmouth Medical Center - (RWJBarnabas Health Arts Impact Scholarship),Kiera Kulaga of Middletown High School South (Monmouth County Freeholders Basie Scholarship for Continuing Education, awarded to a Monmouth County senior attending college here in New Jersey), Sean Molicki of Mater Dei Prep (Moser Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship), Kate Manning of Henry Hudson Regional (Steven and Jaime Schultz Arts Impact Scholarship) and Megan Theobald of St Rose High School (Siciliano Landscape Company Arts Impact Scholarship). The Basie’s Arts Impact scholarship program recognizes high school seniors whose life, academic, and career choice has been impacted by the arts.
For the fourth consecutive year, the BASIE AWARDS were sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health - Monmouth Medical Center, a partnership that promotes awareness of the importance of the arts in physical and mental well-being.
2017 Basie Awards Winners
Musical Productions:
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
Long Branch High School – In the Heights – Andrew D’Agostino
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Tarzan – Joe Esposito
Long Branch High School – In the Heights – Damian Gigantiello & Robert Rutt
Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical
Matawan Regional High School – Honeymoon in Vegas – Linda Walling & Julie McKurth
Mater Dei Prep – Cry-Baby –Peggy Baumgartner & Cindy Dwyer
Outstanding Musical Direction
Red Bank Catholic High School – Cinderella – Shawn Mack
Outstanding Choreography
Red Bank Catholic High School – Cinderella – Kelly Gemellaro
Middletown High School South – The Producers – Jacqui Fischer
Outstanding All Student Orchestra
Marlboro High School – Crazy For You – Patrick M. Dalton
Outstanding Student/Adult Orchestra
Ocean Township High School – Anything Goes – Kyle Titmas
Outstanding Chorus
Middletown High School South – The Producers
Outstanding Featured Ensemble Group
Matawan Regional High School – Honeymoon in Vegas – Show Girls
Outstanding Featured Ensemble Performer
Jon Araujo – Long Branch High School – In the Heights
Eddie Hernandez – Long Branch High School – In the Heights
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Samantha Siriani – Red Bank Catholic High School – Cinderella
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Jake Rallo – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Tarzan
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Melissa Calicchio – Matawan Regional High School – Honeymoon in Vegas
Alexandra Cusumano – Howell High School – Legally Blonde
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Quinn Surdez – Matawan Regional High School – Honeymoon in Vegas
Outstanding Direction in a Musical
Matawan Regional High School – Honeymoon in Vegas – Linda Walling
Outstanding Production – Musical
Matawan Regional High School – Honeymoon in Vegas – Linda Walling
Dramatic Productions:
Outstanding Set Design in a Drama
Howell High School – The Diviners – Stephen Kazakoff & Colleen Greberis
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama
Marlboro High School – Our Town – Jim Lyle & Anthony Greco
Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Drama
Red Bank Regional High School – The Crucible – Jacquie Revier
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Brooke Schindelheim – Marlboro High School – Our Town
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Robert Landi – Marlboro High School – Our Town
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Corinne Lynch - Marlboro High School – Our Town
Emma Lewis - Marlboro High School – Our Town
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
Bradley Patchett - Howell High School – The Diviners
Outstanding Direction in a Drama
Marlboro High School – Our Town – Anthony Greco
Outstanding Production – Drama
Marlboro High School – Our Town– Anthony Greco
ABOUT THE COUNT BASIE THEATRE:
The Count Basie Theatre’s primary mission is to serve the people of the State of New Jersey by providing a broad spectrum of quality entertainment and education programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the region; foster understanding and appreciation for the ennobling power of the performing arts, creates opportunity for cultural enrichment for people at all economic levels, and honors the memory of Red Bank native and renowned jazz pianist William James “Count” Basie. The Count Basie Theatre has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Sophia Loren and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Theatre programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. For more information, visit www.countbasietheatre.org.
