Oh, What a Night!

It’s sad, but true…the 3^rd Annual Jimmy Awards are officially over. It’s been an incredible seven days in the Big Apple. New friends have been found, Broadway debuts made and a lifetime of memories captured. Last night was the perfect crowning moment for everyone. The evening began with all 50 participants gathering in the Minskoff lobby with NHSMTA President Van Kaplan and Choreographer Kiesha Lalama for one last talk. Each nominee was individually recognized for their participation in the program and three special awards were given to three very surprised participants. Maya Maniar from San Jose’s Stage Top Honor Awards was recognized for her stellar ensemble work throughout the week. Kevin Crowley, this year’s Gershwin Awards winner from New York City, was selected for his work ethic and his continuing efforts to perfect his performance. Finally, Houston’s Tommy Tune Awards winner Mia Gerachis was chosen by her peers to receive the “Spirit of the Jimmys” award for embodying the true spirit of The Jimmy Awards.

It was then time to head into the dressing rooms to prepare. Among those in the wings were this year’s star lineup of presenters including: Broadway legends Tommy Tune and Harvey Fierstein; new hit stars Aaron Tveit and Nikki M. James (2011 Tony Award-winner and America’s favorite bumblebee!); 2009 NHSMTA winner for Best Performance by an Actor and current NYU sophomore Stephen Mark; and Billy Elliott star and our charming host for the evening, Greg Jbara! Needless to say, the red-carpet was truly fitting for this crop of Broadway royalty.

PLACES, EVERYONE!

The clock struck 7:30pm and it was time for all performers to take their places. The nervous excitement was intense! The first group of participants, Medley One, took the stage featuring: Mia Gerachis as the Baker's Wife from Into the Woods; Lucy Moon Fitzsimmons as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray; Nicole Elledge as Patsy Cline from Always...Patsy Cline; Maya Maniar as Hope in Urinetown; Amanda Higgins as Belle from Beauty and the Beast; Maggie Hunter as the Baker's Wife from Into the Woods; Jamie Harwood as Marian in The Music Man; Katie McKernan as Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie; Sarah Klingel as Anna from The King and I; and Joy Christian as Dorothy in The Wiz. Their performances were STUNNING!

Medley Two brought us the first male medley of the evening: Chase Durrett as Evan in 13: The Musical; Jacob Gonazalez as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables; Seth Jones as Bobby in Crazy for You; Daniel Walton as Bob in White Christmas; Kevin Crowley as Pippin in Pippin; Paul Powers as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables; James Stankunas as Huckleberry Finn in Big River; and Ben Mays as Freddy from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. These eight young men commanded the stage like Broadway pros!

For our third medley, the audience was introduced to Emily Loewus as Sharon from Finian's Rainbow; Shauni Ruetz as the Witch in Into the Woods; Emily Hart as Jen from John and Jen; Sarah Sommers as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Kirsten Hoover as Nanette from No, No, Nanette; Kassiani Menas as the Witch from Into the Woods; Taylor Nefcy as Babe in The Pajama Game; Breyannah Tillman as Aida in Aida; Kylie Arnold as Violet from Side Show; and Allison Sheppard as Jo in Little Women. From start to finish, the medley was truly "astonishing!"

In less than a New York minute, we were halfway through the medley section of the evening. Medley Four brought to the stage seven more talented gentleman: K. Nathan McHenry as John in The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Andrew Tighe as P.T. Barnum in Barnum; Douglas Davis as Edward from Jane Eyre; Trevor Bates as Man in Chair from The Drowsy Charperone; Robert Price as William in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Michael Mahady as Leaf from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; and Christian Thompson as Signor Naccarelli in Light in the Piazza. The medley showcased romance, comedy and the beauty of each actor's incredible gifts.

If you thought you were seeing double during Medley Five, you're wrong - you were seeing...FIVE Millies from Thoroughly Modern Millie: Lindsay Dunn, Bethany Menjivar, Sarah Carwright, Elizabeth Romero and Melissa Ruh dazzled the audience with every note during their time on stage. We've never seen so many sequins!

Medley Six...Well - if you were a "rich man" you'd most likely place your bet on the fact that this medley had everyone in stitches by its end. It started with a pair of J. Pierrepont Finches from How to Succeed..., Zachary Zaret and Ryan McCartan; moved to dueling Curleys, Mitchell Jones and John Taormina, from Oklahoma!; made friends with two Bakers from Into the Woods, MacKenzie Orr and Keaton Jadwin; and ended with a quartet of Tevyes from Fiddler on the Roof, Luke Halferty, Max Gottschal, John Caliendo and Aaron Wilcox. With each hilarious step these guys really wowed the crowd, eliciting more than a few whistles of appreciation!

After intermission, the 50 participants waited in anticipation of the event's finalists. As Greg Jbara read the names, the nominees stepped into the spotlight. MacKenzie Orr, Seth Jones, Ryan McCartan, Shauni Ruetz, Breyannah Tillman and Kirsten Hoover each took their coveted spot on stage before returning to their dressing rooms (grinning ear-to-ear) to prepare for their solos as finalists for the Jimmy Awards. One-by-one they wowed the crowd with their solo selections. If you'll remember, these are the songs they perfected with their coaches earlier in the week. And wow, were they perfect!

Unfortunately, the curtain had to eventually come down. But before it did, there was a very important announcement to make! After the expert panel of judges (Scott Ellis, Kent Gash, Montego Glover, Rachel Hoffman, Alecia Parker and Nick Scandalios) cast their final votes, Van Kaplan and James L. Nederlander took the stage for the awards presentation. The winners were announced - Ryan McCartan from Spotlight Musical Theatre Program in Minneapolis as Best Performance by an Actor and Shauni Ruetz from Stars of Tomorrow Awards in Rochester, NY! These outstanding young performers were presented with their Jimmy Awards and gave moving speeches to a crowd of over 1,500 attendees. By winning the Jimmy Award, both Ryan and Shauni each received a check from Mr. Nederlander for $10,000, as well as the chance to complete the application process for NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, New Studio on Broadway: Music Theatre and Acting program.

Upon acceptance, they will be eligible to receive both merit and need-based financial aid. Congratulation to these gifted winners and to all participants for an unforgettable evening of song, dance and memories to last a lifetime!