Nominees announced, details revealed for the 14th annual Basie Awards

Bank of America sponsors annual awards ceremony to take place May 22nd at the Count Basie Center for the Arts

(APRIL 29, 2019 – RED BANK) Nominees have been announced for the 14^th annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring excellence in high school theatre in Monmouth County. This year’s ceremony, presented by Bank of America, takes place at the Count Basie Center for the Arts’ Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre on Wednesday, May 22^nd.

Tickets for the BASIE AWARDS are on sale now through theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office and via phone at 732.842.9000.

The BASIE AWARDS began in 2005 as a way to honor and recognize high school-level actors, actresses and productions in the Monmouth County area. This year, a record 22 dramas and 29 musical performances were evaluated by the BASIE AWARDS nomination committee, which produced nominations for students, productions and schools in various acting and production categories. A complete list of nominees is located at the end of this release.

“We’ve enjoyed another year of wonderfully energized productions, school auditoriums and theaters packed with enthusiastic and supportive audiences, all celebrating theatre in Monmouth County,” said Yvonne Lamb-Scudiery, Vice President, Education, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We are grateful and thrilled to have Bank of America as sponsor of the 14^th Annual Basie Awards, and welcome them to our ever growing family of advocates for arts education.”

“Seeing new schools selected as nominees attests to the growth of our theatrical community,” says Adam Philipson, CEO and President, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We couldn’t be more proud of the talented actors, directors, and designers that have dedicated their lives to the stage.”

“We’re also grateful to sponsor, Bank of America, whose support of the Basie Awards makes this recognition of our area’s best high school theatre programs possible.”

“Bank of America is proud to continue our partnership with the Count Basie Center to support arts in our local schools and community,” says Robert Doherty, New Jersey State President at Bank of America. “Like the Basie Center, Bank of America is dedicated to creating and maintaining strong community partnerships, and we are very proud to present the Bank of America Arts Matters Impact Award and through our sponsorship of the Basie Awards, shine the spotlight on these very talented students.”

Nominees For Dramatic Productions:

Outstanding Set Design in a Drama

Colts Neck High School – Almost, Maine – Chris Rocco, Cassidy Friend, Cali Trainor
Marlboro High School – Peter and the Starcatcher – Ashley R. Cusack
Monmouth Regional High School – Boeing, Boeing – Kara Krichman
Red Bank Regional High School – The Diary of Anne Frank – Carl Grillo & Claudia O’Connor
Middletown High School South – The Turning of Gertrude Lodge – Alexis Kozak
Christian Brothers Academy – The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 – Collin Swabsin, Noah Hoffman, Will DeNooyer

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama

Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady – Phil Brooks
Colts Neck High School – Almost, Maine – Chris Rocco & Michael Neustater
Marlboro High School – Peter and the Starcatcher – Jim Lyle & Anthony Greco
Red Bank Regional High School – The Diary of Anne Frank – Francis Hankins, Manuel Rosario
Matawan Regional High School – 45 Seconds from Broadway – Jessica Amorino
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Emperor’s Nightingale – Matthew Leddin

Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Drama

Colts Neck High School – Almost, Maine – Kitty Cleary
Middletown High School South – The Turning of Gertrude Lodge – Laura Mazza & Jacqueline Fischer
Red Bank Regional High School – The Diary of Anne Frank – Jacquie Revier
Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady – Jacquie Revier, Eddie Rogers
Raritan High School – A Christmas Carol – Melanie Taylor
Monmouth Regional High School – Boeing, Boeing – Frankie Confalone

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Drama

Dominique Demko – Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady
Christina Natoli – Howell High School – Summer Brave
Dianna Whaley – Trinity Hall – Peter and the Starcatcher
Cristal Cerritos – Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

Angie Larco – Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady
Morgan Barth – Middletown High School South – The Turning of Gertrude Lodge
Shea Grant – Red Bank Regional High School – The Diary of Anne Frank
Maggie Skalecki – Red Bank Catholic High School – Lend Me a Tenor
Jessica Fegeley – Marlboro High School – Peter and the Starcatcher
Jacqueline Hennessy – Red Bank Catholic High School – Lend Me a Tenor

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

Nate Riehl – Communications High School – The Diary of Anne Frank
Andrew Colbert – Freehold Township High School – Rumors
Colin Sullivan – Mater Dei Prep – Clue: On Stage
Kevin Cogan – Red Bank Regional High School – The Diary of Anne Frank
Micah Schachet-Briskin – Colts Neck High School – Almost, Maine
Jonathan Friel – Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

Ally Heller – Marlboro High School – Peter and the Starcatcher
Noa Godrich – Marlboro High School – Peter and the Starcatcher
Anna Phillips – Trinity Hall – Peter and the Starcatcher
Chloe Hoban – Middletown High School South – The Turning of Gertrude Lodge
Elizabeth Smith – Manalapan High School – Arsenic and Old Lace
Taylor Carpinello – Howell High School – Summer Brave

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama

Sean Gassaway – Howell High School – Summer Brave
Julian Lavarra – Trinity Hall – Peter and the Starcatcher
Blake Wallace – Manalapan High School – Arsenic and Old Lace
Jonathan Abadir – Christian Brothers Academy – The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
Nehemiah Akins – Monmouth Regional High School – Boeing, Boeing
Stanley Skalecki – Red Bank Catholic High School – Lend Me a Tenor
Jack Gibney – Raritan High School – A Christmas Carol

Outstanding Direction in a Drama

Summer Ward – Communications High School – The Diary of Anne Frank
Anthony Greco – Marlboro High School – Peter and the Starcatcher
Ian Moore – Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady
Suzanne Sweeney – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Emperor’s Nightingale
Alana Herron – Red Bank Catholic High School – Lend Me a Tenor
Ellen Phillips – Trinity Hall – Peter and the Starcatcher

Outstanding Production – Drama

Marlboro High School –Peter and the Starcatcher – Anthony Greco
Colts Neck High School – Almost, Maine – Dawn Ferro
Red Bank Regional High School – The Diary of Anne Frank – Reuben Jackson
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Emperor’s Nightingale – Suzanne Sweeney
Manalapan High School – Arsenic and Old Lace – Amanda Colonna
Long Branch High School – William’s Dark Lady – Ian Moore

Nominees for Musical Productions:

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical

Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Kenneth Guell, Carla Valentino & Shawn Mack
Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde – Andrew D’Agostino
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family – Matthew Leddin
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Anthony Greco, Jamie Allaire
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Samuel Pickens

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical

Middletown High School South – West Side Story – Tyrone Shields (with Alexis Kozak & Jacqui Fischer)
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Jim Lyle, Anthony Greco
Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Robert Rutt
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Jessica Amorino
Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde – Damien Gigantiello, Michael Hickenbottom

Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical

Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Joanne Penrose
Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Donna Silogy-Gigante & Joanne DeLuca Daly
Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde – Gloria Meiterman
Henry Hudson Regional High School – Once Upon a Mattress – Danielle Dowds
Neptune High School – The Addams Family – Fred Mayo & Debbie Thime
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Susan Takacs

Amy Fredericks Award for Outstanding Musical Direction

Saint John Vianney High School – The Sound of Music – Mary-Kate Schmidt
Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Shawn Mack
Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Regina McAllen
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family – Amanda Gorfain
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Patrick M. Dalton
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Linda Walling and the cast of Newsies

Outstanding Choreography

Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Kelly Gemellaro
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Jessica O’Brien
Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Lisa Arecchi
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family – Jen Costa
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Julie McKurth & Phillip Solomon
Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde – Meagan Ruland

Outstanding Student Orchestra

Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Patrick M. Dalton
Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Anthony Limaldi
Ocean Township High School – The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Kyle Titmas
Freehold Township High School – Hello Dolly – Edward Gattsek
Wall High School – West Side Story – Mr. Leslie S. Hollander

Outstanding Student/Adult Orchestra

Red Bank Regional High School – Music Man – Camille Thompson
Ranney School – Cinderella – Dr. Dorothy Sobieski
Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde – Robert M. Clark
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Kevin Cotter
Henry Hudson Regional High School – Once Upon a Mattress – Jeffrey Starr

Outstanding Small Ensemble Orchestra

Monmouth Regional High School – Freaky Friday – Christopher Sabol
Christian Brothers Academy – All Shook Up – Christian Lopez
Trinity Hall High School – Pippin – Andrew Bogdan
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family – Amanda Gorfain
Mater Dei – Tuck Everlasting – Cindy J. Dwyer

Outstanding Chorus

Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde
Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies

Outstanding Featured Ensemble Group

Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – The Mersisters
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Flotsam & Jetsam
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – The New York Newsies

Outstanding Featured Ensemble Performer in a Musical

Briana Brabham – Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Grace Allison – Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Justin Bradley – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies
Paulo Makalinao – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical

Aisa Feratovic – Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde
Eliza Andrus – Ocean Township High School – The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Emily Lucas – Monmouth Regional High School – Freaky Friday
Grace Gallagher – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical

Stanley Skalecki – Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Christopher Costello – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies
Nick Imbrenda – Ocean Township High School – The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Hunter Thomas Burgos – Mater Dei Prep – Tuck Everlasting
Simon Clissold – Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical

Dominique Demko – Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde
Maggie Skalecki – Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Ava Lamantia – Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Sarah Dolan – Mater Dei Prep – Tuck Everlasting
Emily Teubner – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies
Elena Worton – Monmouth Regional High School – Freaky Friday

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical

Zachary Dalton – Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Robbie Montouro – Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Lucas Faria de Sa Tucker – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family
Brendan Deahl – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies
Costa Maitoglou – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies
Drew Eldridge – Henry Hudson Regional High School – Once Upon a Mattress

Outstanding Direction in a Musical

Alana Herron – Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone
Ian Moore – Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde
Suzanne Sweeney – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family
Anthony Greco – Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid
Linda Walling – Matawan Regional High School – Newsies
Stephen Kazakoff – Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone

Outstanding Production – Musical

Red Bank Catholic High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Alana Herron
Long Branch High School – Legally Blonde – Ian Moore
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Addams Family – Suzanne Sweeney
Marlboro High School – The Little Mermaid – Anthony Greco
Matawan Regional High School – Newsies – Linda Walling
Howell High School – The Drowsy Chaperone – Stephen Kazakoff