The Count Basie Center’s community theatre company gets nods for The Music Man, In The Heights,
Evil Dead: The Musical, Once On This Island and Guys And Dolls

(RED BANK – DECEMBER 7, 2023) Basie Center community theatre company Phoenix Productions, which celebrates its 35^th anniversary this season, has even more cheer for after receiving 28 nominations in Broadwayworld.com’s annual Regional Awards.

Voting is open to the general public now through December 31^st here.

“We’re incredibly honored for this recognition from Broadwayworld.com,” said James Grausam, Managing Artistic Director, Phoenix Productions. “With such a vibrant and active community theatre scene in New Jersey, it’s an honor just to be nominated. But we also believe our actors and tech folks deserve to win, so we’re excited to see how voting pans out over the next few weeks.”

“The product that Phoenix Productions has been sharing on the Basie stage continues to excel and reflect the diversity of our community,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Receiving 28 nominations is a testament to the quality of the work that James Grausam and his team are consistently producing. The entire Basie Center organization and its Board of Trustees could not be prouder of this recognition.”

Broadwayworld.com’s 2023 Regional Awards honor productions and touring shows which had their first performance between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The regional awards include productions from more than 100 cities across America, Canada, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. Anyone with an email address is invited to vote, with winners being announced in January.

For Phoenix, the nominations come as the company marks its 35^th anniversary, which will be celebrated during the Count Basie Center’s Winter Gala on Saturday, March 16. Phoenix will mark the occasion by assembling a 35-piece orchestra to present a symphonic concert performance of Jesus Christ Superstar – the first show the company tackled back in 1988. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 15 at noon at theBASIE.org and Basie Center box office. Sponsorship opportunities and gala packages, which include a pre-show dinner program, are available now by clicking here.

Phoenix Productions: 2023 Broadwayworld.com Regional Award Nominees:

Best Choreography of a Play or a Musical – Matty Price (The Music Man)
Best Costume Design of a Musical – Joanne Penrose (The Music Man)
Best Direction of a Musical – James Grausam (The Music Man)
Best Direction of a Musical – James Grausam (Green Day’s American Idiot)
Best Direction of a Musical – James Grausam (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Enemble – The Music Man
Best Wig and Make-up – Roxanne Cohen (The Music Man)
Best Lighting Design of a Musical – Kyle Santopadre (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Lighting Design of a Musical – Kyle Santopadre (Green Day’s American Idiot)
Best Music Direction and Orchestra Performance – Jonathan Mehl (The Music Man)
Best Music Direction and Orchestra Performance – Jason Neri (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Music Direction and Orchestra Performance – Jason Neri (Green Day’s American Idiot)
Best Musical – The Music Man
Best Musical – Green Day’s American Idiot
Best Musical – Evil Dead: The Musical
Best Performer in a Musical – Michelle Elaine Lucey (The Music Man)
Best Performer in a Musical – Rob Ryan (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Scenic Design of a Play or a Musical – Kyle Santopadre (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Scenic Design of a Play or a Musical – Andrew Robbinson (The Music Man)
Best Scenic Design of a Play or a Musical – Ashley Cusack (Green Day’s American Idiot)
Best Sound Design – James Grausam (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Sound Design – Mark Zuckerman (Once on This Island)
Best Sound Design – Mark Zuckerman (Guys and Dolls)
Best Sound Design – Mark Zuckerman (In the Heights)
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical – Marisa Helene Mast (Evil Dead: The Musical)
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical – Cat London (Green Day’s American Idiot)
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical – W.D. Fordy (Green Day’s American Idiot)
Favorite Local Theater – Phoenix Productions