Nearly 50 productions – 22 plays and 27 musicals – will contend for nominations in
annual celebration of excellence in high school theatre

 

(RED BANK – MARCH 20) The Basie Awards, the annual celebration of excellence in Monmouth County high school theatre, has revealed 49 productions in contention for trophies at this year’s ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, May 22 at the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre.

“We say it every year – the talent in Monmouth County high school theatre just keeps getting better,” said Samantha Giustiniani, Vice President, Education, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “This year, we witnessed nearly 50 musicals and dramatic plays, and once again, were stunned by the excellence that continues to show itself on area stages.”

“And it’s not just on the stage,” Giustiniani continued. “This year we will shine a light on all that happens behind the scenes as well. Th 2024 Basie Awards promises to celebrate the brilliant and diverse talent showcased by our area’s exceptional high school drama programs.”

Each year, the Basie Awards program invites all Monmouth County high schools to submit their musical and drama productions for consideration. Adjudicators are sent to each presentation and assess scores in categories ranging from acting, directing and choreography, to technical categories such as set and costume design and lighting.

As is tradition, an annual Lifetime Achievement Award is also bestowed upon a figure central to the preservation and celebration of arts in the community. This year’s recipient, as well as this year’s official nominees, will be announced on April 30.

Tickets for this year’s Basie Awards ceremony go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10am through theBASIE.org, charge by phone at 732-842-9000 and the Basie Center box office, located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank.

2023-24 CONTENDING PRODUCTIONS:

• Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft: And Then There Were None (play); The Spongebob Musical (musical)
• Collier High School, Marlboro: Almost, maine (play); 9 to 5: The Musical (musical)
• Colts Neck High School: Lend Me A Tenor (play); The Drowsy Chaperone (musical)
• Communications High School, Wall: Clue (play)
• Freehold High School: Grandmother Tales (play); Little Women (musical)
• Freehold Township High School: Almost, Maine (play); Bye Bye Birdie (musical)
• Henry Hudson High School, Highlands: The Drowsy Chaperone (musical)
• High Technology High School, Lincroft: All Shook Up (musical)
• Holmdel High School: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (play); Little Women (musical)
• Howell High School: Midsummer / Jersey (play); Shrek: The Musical (musical)
• Keansburg High School: Once Upon A Mattress (musical)
• Keyport High School: The Spongebob Musical (musical)
• Long Branch High School: Mamma Mia! (musical)
• Manalapan High School: Rumors (play); Beauty and the Beast (musical)
• Manasquan High School: Death By Dessert (play); Into The Woods (musical)
• Matawan Regional High School, Aberdeen: Puffs (play); Between The Lines (musical)
• Middletown High School North: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (play); Young Frankenstein (musical)
• Middletown High School South: The Revenge of the Space Pandas (play); The Wedding Singer (musical)
• Monmouth Regional High School, Tinton Falls: She Kills Monsters (play); Mean Girls (musical)
• Neptune High School: Rumors (play); Les Miserables (musical)
• Ranney School, Tinton Falls: She Kills Monsters (play); Mean Girls (musical)
• Raritan High School, Hazlet: Dracula (play); The Addams Family (musical)
• Red Bank Catholic High School: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (play); The Addams Family (musical)
• Red Bank Regional High School: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (play); Mamma Mia! (musical)
• Rumson-Fair Haven High School: The Somewhat True Tale Of Robin Hood (play); Anything Goes (musical)
• John Vianney High School, Holmdel: 12 Angry Jurors (play); Emma: A Pop Musical! (musical)
• Rose High School, Belmar: Little Shop Of Horrors (musical)
• Trinity Hall, Tinton Falls: The Learned Ladies (play); Firebringer (musical)