Page 18 Thursday, June 16, 2016 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Union Catholic High School Congratulates the Class of 2016 on obtaining a remarkable $27,114,092 in college scholarships. 1600 Martine Avenue • Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 908-889-1600,Ext. 302 • www.unioncatholic.org Familiar West Side Story Mesmerizes at Paper Mill Area Students, Schools Honored at By SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY (Belinda Allyn) are the young lovers Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim classic Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times from the two different groups whose over the years. She knocks it out of romance is cut short because of ha- the park with her heartfelt singing and Sometimes familiar is good. Re- tred, bigotry and youthful anger. Mr. spectacular dancing. Paper Mill Play- Paper Mill Rising Star Awards ally good. Take Leonard Bernstein’s Doyle’s energy and excitement in the house Producing Artistic Director and West Side Story. What keeps a musi- song, “Something’s Coming” inten- show director Mark S. Hoebee as a BY SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY was one of the seven director nomi- standing Achievement in Music Di- cal, that premiered in 1957 relevant sifies the anticipation of the night and young professional dancer himself Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times nees. rection and Cranford HS has an Hon- today? Just ask the Paper Mill Play- his heavenly high notes in “Maria” worked with Jerome Robbins. Hoebee Because SPFHS and WHS were orable Mention. Honorable mention house whose current block-buster float to the rafters. Ms. Allyn’s vocal has assembled no fewer than a dozen The Tony’s are annual awards for both nominated for Outstanding Over- also went to WHS for Outstanding production is bringing audiences of magic is showcased when they duet actors in this production who have per- outstanding performances on Broad- all Production of a Musical, the casts Performance by an Orchestra. all ages to tears and to their feet in “Tonight” and “One Hand, One formed on Broadway, so he’s able to way. The Paper Mill Playhouse gives performed in costume and makeup Other Honorable Mention nomi- nightly. Based loosely on Heart.” Tony’s friend Riff, played by offer a top-rate, seamless, quality pro- awards, the Rising Star Awards, to for the packed audience. The Rising nees in the category for Outstanding Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Mikey Winslow, is a thrilling dancer duction. high school students who excel in Stars event is run similar to the Tony Scenic Achievement were SPFHS Jerome Robbins conceived the story who leads the Jets in “Cool,” where While critics of the original produc- their high school musical productions. awards; the live performances add to (Jeffrey Allen) and Westfield (Roy to be set in the summer of 1957 on the he warns his gang members to control tion speculated that the tragic darkness From over 80 schools in New Jersey, the energy and excitement of the night. Chambers) and for Outstanding Cos- West Side of NYC. their pent-up anger. of this musical would repel audiences, Westfield High School (WHS), Summit High School’s production of tuming Achievement SPFHS (Joanne From the first downbeat of music With a sophisticated score that through the ages, they were proven Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School Mary Poppins won that category, but Sprague). Allie Safonov of WHS was director/conductor Steve Orich’s ba- offers extended dance scenes, Mr. wrong. Audiences are still captivated (SPFHS) and Cranford High School the enthusiasm for all of the nominees one of the seven finalists for Out- ton, Leonard Bernstein’s music grasps Robbins’ original choreography is and moved. Robbins’ energetic chore- were among the area nominees and and winners of the night was heart- standing Hair and Makeup Achieve- the audience with its precision, gran- recreated brilliantly here under the ography and Bernstein’s grand score winners at the gala event on June 7, felt. ment which was won by Clearview diosity, lush strings and wild percus- eye of choreographer Alex Sanchez. accentuated the satiric, hard-edged lyr- 2016. Westfield student Tony Peer was a Regional High School. sion - all necessary components that This dance-laden show marked ics of Sondheim. It’s a winning combi- WHS’s show was honored with a nominee in the category of Outstand- In the last 21 years, Investors Foun- make this Broadway musical an icon. somewhat of a turning point in Ameri- nation. Rising Star Award for Outstanding ing Performance by an Actor in a dation with other individual philan- The familiar music of the “Prologue” can musical theater. Audiences in The winning combination onstage in Lighting Achievement that went to Leading Role and, as one of the seven thropists have supported the Rising begins and the tension mounts be- the late ‘50s saw reality with the Millburn includes superb acting, first- the professional company Sharp Edge male finalists, performed. SPFHS’s Stars competition that has awarded tween the two gangs - Jets and the tragic ending. Even though the over- rate singing and dancing. One standout Lighting Design. Caroline Scobee was an Honorable $450,000 in scholarship and mon- Sharks. tones of the show are heartbreaking dancer is Maria Briggs, as the young At the 21st annual event in Millburn, Mention nominee in the female cat- etary prizes. Tony (Matt Doyle) and Maria with young love cut short, there are girl Anybodys, who wants to be a part of three Westfield High School (WHS) egory counterpart. plenty of fun/comedic numbers. The the Jets despite being a girl. students were awarded engraved Tif- Cranford High School’s produc- original Broadway production Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of fany plates of recognition for their tion of Fiddler on the Roof and WHS’s marked young Stephen Sondheim’s the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony behind-the-scenes work. Out of 50 Into the Woods were nominated for Broadway debut and his lyrics are Award, has been faithful to the origi- nominees, the following students were Outstanding Performance by a Cho- biting in “America.” Sondheim’s nal production. Simultaneously, they presented with Student Achievement rus. Academy of the Holy Angels won satiric lyrics are sung terrifically by have made innovative choices in this Awards: Devyn Tibbals, for stage that category with their Children of Anita (Natalie Cortez) and Rosalia near operatic musical that makes it managing, Madeline Kevelson for Eden. (Kat Nejat) and the Shark Girls. And feel completely current. costume design and Sarah Morton, Final nominations went to individu- “Gee, Officer Krupke,” sung by Ac- Lighting design by Charlie for her assistant technical direction. als; WHS student Frank Guerriero as tion (Cody Williams) and the Jets Morrison and scenic design by James They were nominated by Daniel “Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf” for Out- get to show a side of adolescence Youmans, especially in scene nine, Devlin, the show’s director, for their standing Performance by an Actor in that adults try to fix. the Rumble scene under the highway, work on the production of Into the a Supporting Role and SPFHS’s Sara Nominated for six Tony Awards are breathtaking. Woods. Miller as “Angela Prysock/Princess including Best Musical in 1957, the Bernstein’s beautiful score is played Mr. Devlin himself was a nominee Puffer” for Outstanding Performance current production features a number by a marvelous orchestra supporting OUT FROM BEHIND THE SCENES...At the 21st Annual Rising Star Awards for Outstanding Achievement by a by an Actress in a Supporting Role. held at the Paper Mill Playhouse on June 9, three Westfield teens are among ten of Broadway performers. Playing the a Broadway-caliber cast of perform- Teacher or Outside Director. In that With their nominations, they won winners of Student Achievement Awards. Devyn Tibbals, stage manager; Madeline Chita Rivera role of Anita, Natalie ers acting, singing and dancing their same category Matthew Capodicasa, scholarships to the Paper Mill Sum- Kevelson, costume designer and Sarah Morton, assistant technical director were Cortez appeared in both regional and hearts out. You know the story. You the director of the SPFHS’s produc- mer Theatre Conservatory. awarded engraved Tiffany glass plaques for their outstanding achievement in high Broadway productions of the Jerome don’t want to miss this fresh revital- tion of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, SPFHS was nominated in the Out- school musicals. Robbins/Arthur Laurents/Leonard ization of the classic. 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