Area Theatre Stars Honored at Metro Awards

The theatre communities of Rockland, Westchester and Bergen Counties came together under one roof Monday night, packing the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, New York for the 2010 Metropolitan Awards.

Thirty-nine schools were represented at the 11th annual "Metros," formerly known as the Helen Hayes High School Theatre Awards, and twenty-seven awards were given out, all in celebration of the hard work and talent that was showcased all year in high school musicals all over New York and New Jersey.

The awards were hosted by New York actor Michael West, most recently of "Forbidden Broadway," and featured a wide array of theatre-industry awards presenters, including Broadway actors Ray McLeod and Liz Griffin.

The large number of students on hand were, without a doubt, the real stars of the show, however, as boys and girls from all different schools cheered, danced and sang from beginning to end.

The crowd was treated to a number of theatrical performances, including one by each of the six schools nominated for Outstanding Overall Production, as well as one by each of the eight boys and girls nominated for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role.

Hastings High School made a strong showing at this year's Metropolitan Awards, being nominated for three awards for their production of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum," and walking away with one "Metro." Hastings' Zach Hart was nominated for Outstanding Featured Ensemble Member, while cast member Niko Gelfars was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role. Hastings' big winner on Monday night was Ben Lerner, who took home the award for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role for his depiction of the character Hysterium. In one of the more crowd pleasing moments of the night, Lerner came to the stage to collect his award, and proceeded to thank his director, his parents, his dog, and Britney Spears.

"It was really exciting for us to be here," Lerner said. "It was such an honor for us to be nominated three times.  All of us are just overjoyed to have been recognized by the Metro Theatre Association. This is a great way to celebrate the end of the year."

The students of Rye Neck High School also had a noticeable presence at the 2010 Metros, earning six nominations for their production of "Peter Pan." Rye Neck was nominated for Outstanding Chorus, Outstanding Vocal Performance by Midori  Takasaki, Outstanding Comic Performance by Frank Pisco, Outstanding Orchestra, Outstanding Graphic Design by Jennifer Dallow, and Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role by Zak Eisenberg. Eisenberg performed on stage along with the other seven nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role.

"This was definitely the experience of my life," Eisenberg said. "The entire Rye Neck cast, crew, directors, we're like a family. We're really close. The nomination isn't just for me, it's for all of them."

Yorktown High School also had a student nominated for Outstanding performance in a Leading Role, as Lauren Wagner was recognized for her performances as Belle in the school's production of "Beauty and the Beast." Manu Kumar was also nominated for Yorktown for Outstanding Instrumentalist, as was Kevin Gleason for Outstanding Lighting Achievement. Yorktown's Chorus and Stage Crew also received nominations.

"I honestly have no words to describe this," Wagner said after performing in front of the sold out Paramount Theatre crowd. "I'm definitely going to remember this forever. I've never gotten to just sing in front of so many people that have never heard me sing before. The feedback was really amazing.

Between the colorful performances and the candid acceptance speeches, the crowd was constantly reminded of who in fact made the entire night possible, as well as thoroughly enjoyable. The audience was even treated to an on-stage back-flip by Kennedy Catholic's Michael Campobasso, winner of the award for Outstanding Dance Performance. Another award winner took the time out on stage to ask a fellow cast member, sitting in the audience, if she wanted to go to prom with him.

 "I'm thrilled that the theatre and arts education community gets this kind of buzz," said producer of the 2010 Metropolitan Awards Danielle Rudess. "Especially because in our schools, arts education budgets are being cut. Even before the budgets were cut arts education was fighting to stay alive, so I love to see the energy and the kids celebrating. I hope that the kids who win, and the kids who didn't win, all leave feeling like they're part of a bigger community of people who are talented and support them, which is what this is all about.

Tuckahoe High School and Mamaroneck High School were also represented at the Metros on Monday, Tuckahoe for its production of "Willy Wonka" and Mamaroneck for "Urinetown." Tuckahoe received five nominations, including Outstanding Lobby Display, Outstanding Featured Ensemble Member by Christine Calasacco and Laura Fitzpatrick, Outstanding Acting Performace by Julia Moschetta, and Outstanding Vocal Performance by Katie Ferrone. Mamaroneck's Wednesday Derrico was nominated for Outstanding Vocal Performance for her performances as Penelope Pennywise.

St. Joseph Regional High School took home the last award of the night, Outstanding Overall Production, for their rendition of "Curtains."