EASTON, Pa. — The sounds of Broadway filled the night as young thespians jumped up and down the aisles cheering on their classmates.
Hundreds of gifted high school students from 29 schools across the Lehigh Valley and Warren County, New Jersey, were honored at the Freddy Awards on Thursday night.
- Theater students from Parkland and Emmaus high schools were among those who took home Freddy Awards
- The ceremony was held at the State Theatre in Easton
- 29 schools from the Lehigh Valley were nominated in 2023
The awards show, now in its 21st year, kicked off with an enthusiastic number from musicals such as "Mame" and "& Juliet," which was met with excitement and roaring applause from the crowd at the State Theatre Center for the Arts.
The live ceremony was broadcast on WMFZ.
The Freddys program was created by the State Theatre in 2003 to recognize excellence in high school musical theater.
Mazel to Emmaus
Heading into the show, Parkland High School's "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!" held the top number with 16 nominations.
But as the night progressed, it was clear the school had some fierce competition.
Mazel Tov to Emmaus High School's "Fiddler on the Roof," which was a big hit this year, winning seven awards. These included outstanding musical performance and outstanding ensemble.
Parkland's "Oklahoma!" won four awards, including outstanding use of costumes and outstanding performance by a featured dancer.
Coming in a third place with two awards was Southern Lehigh High School for "Rock of Ages, Teen Edition."
'Is this real?'
Senior Angelina Dries from Catasauqua High School won outstanding performance by an actress for her performance as Leading Player in "Pippin."
"Is this real?" Dries asked in disbelief when accepting her award before thanking the school's theater department, along with the cast and crew.
She also thanked her family, adding it was a perfect send-off before graduation.
"To my supportive parents and Grammy, who assured me this would be my year. I can finally say, 'Mom, Dad, I got a Freddy award!'" Dries said.
Dries also won earlier in the evening for outstanding small ensemble performance.
L'Chaim!
A rich man, indeed.
The award for outstanding performance by an actor in a leading role went to Emmaus High School senior Jacob Klinedinst as Tevye from "Fiddler on the Roof."
Before accepting the Freddy, Klinedinst had the crowd on their feet during his performance of "If I Were a Rich Man."
The senior, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh in the fall, gave praise to his castmates, and his family and teachers — with special gratitude to someone who helped the students prepare for their roles.
"One of the biggest helps in finding the soul of the character, Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr...thank you all, L'Chaim," he cheered.
Here's the complete list of winners:
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
- Emmaus High School, “Fiddler on the Roof”
Outstanding Use of Scenery
- Freedom High School, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
Outstanding Use of Costumes
- Parkland High School, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Ensemble Member
- RJ Kloecker as Mal Beineke, Phillipsburg High School, “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Ensemble Member
- Parkland High School senior Addison Treat as Aunt Eller Parkland in "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! "
Education and Community Impact Award presented by Air Products
- Salisbury High School,"9 to 5: The Musical"
Outstanding Use of Lighting
- Emmaus High School, "Fiddler on the Roof"
Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance
- Angelina Dries, Aidan Heil, “On The Right Track," Catasauqua High School, "Pippin"
Outstanding Use of Choreography and Musical Staging
- Parkland High School, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!”
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
- Kaylee Babiak as Catherine, Hackettstown High School, “Pippin”
- Emily Novak as Golde, Emmaus High School, "Fiddler on the Roof"
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
- Patrick D’Amico as Stacee Jaxx, Southern Lehigh, “Rock of Ages: Teen Edition”
- Tyrik Iman-Washington, Jr. as Gleb, Warren Hills Regional, “Anastasia”
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer
- Gabriela Baran as Dream Laurey, Parkland, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!”
Outstanding Ensemble
- Emmaus, “Fiddler on the Roof”
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance
- Grace Spellacy, “Get Out And Stay Out,” Salisbury, “9 to 5 the Musical”
Lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times Student Achievement Nominees
- Maeve Yanes, stage manager/volunteer coordinator, Emmaus, “Fiddler on the Roof”
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor
- Mak Cerrada-Shapiro as Officer Lockstock, Belvidere, “Urinetown”
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress
- Jenna Seasholtz as Lonny Barnett, Southern Lehigh, “Rock of Ages: Teen Edition”
Outstanding Production Number
- Liberty, “Brotherhood of Man,” “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying”
Outstanding Stage Crew (In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert)
- Bangor Area, “Anastasia”
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
- Angelina Dries as Leading Player, Catasauqua, “Pippin”
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
- Jacob Klinedinst as Tevye, Emmaus, “Fiddler on the Roof”
Outstanding Overall Production by a Smaller School
- Hackettstown, “Pippin”
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
- Emmaus, “Fiddler on the Roof”
