Connecticut High School Musical Theater Gala at Waterbury's Palace Theater - A Recap

Brett A. Bernardini is Artistic Director at The Spirit of Broadway Theater in Norwich. He also is the Founding Producer / Director for The Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards (CHSMTA,) now in it's 6th year. The CHSMTA's annual black tie gala was held on Monday, June 2, 2014 at The Palace Theater in Waterbury. I was honored to have a complimentary seat among the glittering students, teachers, and family members that filled the magnificent Palace Theater.

"Of everything I have ever achieved in my life, this one evening is always the pinnacle of my career. This is one evening for all of us who care about high-quality musical theater education in Connecticut's High Schools to come together ... and make a stand that arts in education matter," writes Mr. Bernardini.

"If we - those who celebrate, create and 'get' the power of arts in education - don't fight for arts education, who will? If we cannot set aside one night to band together as a community who stands united against further cuts to the arts in our schools, who will? I got tired of talking about the need for high quality musical theater arts education and put my money where my mouth was: I created and produce this event."

Mr. Bernardini calls the program the "High School Tony Awards" for Connecticut. Over the past 5 years, CHSMTHA has sent ten talented students to National High School Musical Theater Awards. They have had many finalists and two national winners.

Milly & Abigail Shapiro (The Shapiro Sisters) shared the hosting duties for the evening. These two lovely young ladies have a talent well beyond their years and were charming hostesses. They performed throughout the evening. Together they sang "Anything You Can Do" from Annie Get Your Gun (with new lyrics co-written by producer Van Dean and Abigail Shapiro) that was a meeting of Annie and Matilda from the musicals bearing their names. Milly Shapiro performed a "Let It Go" from, well, you know where, that brought down the house. Abigail sang "Another World" from A Little Princess and was just as wonderful. Both Shapiro Sisters will appear at 54 Below in NYC on Monday, June 9.

Best of all, there were performances by high schools nominated for Outstanding Production Of The Year and Outstanding Actor and Actress. It was exciting for me to revisit some of the best productions done by area high schools that I have reviewed and to see a snippet of the ones that I wish I had.

The cast of Amity Regional HS performed "96,000" from their excellent production of In The Heights, New Canaan HS did the opening number from their Thoroughly Modern Millie in white and shades of gray, and Newtown HS reprised the "Ugg-a-Wugg" production number from their production of Peter Pan. The cast of Regional Center for the Arts did a song and dance from their production of Carrie The Musical and St. Paul Catholic HS showed off a number from their A Little Princess. Trumbull HS put together a medley from their news worthy production of Rent and Valley Regional HS performed a number from their production of Secret Garden.

Outstanding Leading Actresses also got to perform a piece from their production in costumes and backed by the wonderful orchestra. Amity Regional High School's Shaylen Harger sang a solo as Nina Rosario from In the Heights,  Ava Gallo reprised her "Out Tonight" from Trumbull High School's Rent, and St. Paul Catholic High School student Jillian Caillouette sang "Live Out Loud" from her school's production of A Little Princess. Immaculate High School's Emma Giorgio played Cosette in Les Miserables, Maggie Walsh sang a piece from Valley Regional High School's Secret Garden. Conard High School's Brigid Lucey was a fine Fiona in Shrek as she sang "Morning Person" from the show.

The Outstanding Leading Actor nominees also got to perform a solo. Valley Regional High School' Andrew Goehring did a piece as Archibald Crane from Secret Garden, Michael Ell sang from Trumbull High School's Rent as Mark, and Immaculate High School tenor Michael Hudak sang "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables.

The special performance by 2013 National High School finalist and scholarship recipient, Jillian Cailliouette from St. Paul Catholic High School of "Finding Wonderland" was outstanding. Ms. Cailiouette was nominated for Outstanding Actress for the second time and took home the prize once again.  The National High School winner of last year, Taylor Varga (the uber talented Newtown High School alumni) performed "Santa Fe" from Newsies. It was such a treat to see this college freshman performing on the Palace stage again.

The presenters included celebrities like WMNR's Garrett Stack, Hartford Current Frank Rizzo, Van Dean and our own WAMS principal Leo Lavallee. The onstage mostly young orchestra was under the direction of Emmett Drake, who also took home an award for Outstanding Music Direction for St. Paul Catholic HS' A Little Princess.

For a complete list of CHSMTA winners, click here. I blame any errors on the screaming that followed the announcement of each winner. More photos of the evening have been added.

MacKenzie Huneke, a student at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School was awarded the Audition Admission and Beyond Scholarship. Mr. Bernardini himself presented President's Award to Larissa Mark  for her work on getting Trumbull's production of Rent to the stage. This was only the fourth time that this award has been given out. Ms. Mark  graciously accepted the honor and shared it with the cast and crew.

The staff and volunteers of Palace Theater did their usual amazing job of making the evening run smoothly, and their own Jennifer Zembruski presented one of the awards. Their efficient box office staff even recognized me and quickly located my ticket, despite the fact that I hadn't brought in my id. After the last two weeks, I feel as if I live at the theater that is my easiest commute, and I look forward to three graduations at the Palace in the upcoming weeks.