BWW Reviews: The BLUMEY AWARDS, Recognizing Excellence in High School Theater

Seventeen high schools in the greater Charlotte region were nominated in this year's second annual Blumey Awards at Belk Theater. Presented by Wells Fargo, The Blumey Awards, created to honor outstanding student achievement in musical theater was conceived by Tom Gabbard, President of Blumenthal Performing Arts, and modeled after the Jimmy Awards [National High School Musical Theater Awards], named for legendary theater owner and producer, James Nederlander.

As I watched this awards ceremony, there was an electricity, an unsaid something... All of the students, who were up on that stage, embodied a brilliant Broadway quality. They displayed camaraderie, cheering for their classmates and for the other schools' nominees.

Like the Tony Awards, the ceremony was entertaining with Master of Ceremonies, Maureen O'Boyle, co-anchor of WBTV news with presenters and special guests Mike Collins and BrIan Kahn (Charlotte Squawks) and Christine Nelson (WBTV). The show was perfectly produced and co-directed by Ralph Beck, Educational Director of Blumenthal Performing Arts and Michelle Youngs, Education Programs Manager of Blumenthal Performing Arts.

High acclaim goes to the very talented students who entertained under Music Director/Conductor, David Dabbon and Choreographer, Linda Booth with numbers including "Kansas City" from OKLAHOMA, "Shy" from ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, "Transylvania Mania" from YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, "Footloose" from FOOTLOOSE, "Be Our Guest" from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and "One Day More" from LES MISERABLES with actor/actress medleys and original music "Don't' Be Surprised" with all 32 participating high schools, music by David Dabbon, and lyrics by Jill Abramovitz. The students showed remarkable talent. I have to mention the outstanding performance by Areon Mobasher as Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES, which brought us to our feet with applause.

Eleven student critics also participated in the inaugural Student Critic Program with support from The Charlotte Observer. Porter Yelton from Gaston Day School was awarded "The Charlotte Observer Critic Award".

Don And Mary Doctor (the Doctor Family Foundation), awarded The Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship, an annually renewable $10,000 Scholarship to John Pope of Marvin Ridge High School in Union County and Zeinab Caskey of Nation Ford High School in York.

Susan Lee, Executive Director of the National High School Musical Theater Awards Program and Tom Gabbard, presented a video montage of the National High School Musical Theater Awards from 2012.

Jay Everett, Community Affairs Manager for Wells Fargo, presented the Wells Fargo Best Musical Award. He pledged Wells Fargo's continued support, increasing next year's pledge to $50,000 dollars; a significant contribution to benefit high school performing arts in Charlotte.

Areon Mosbasher of Charlotte Latin School named Best Actor for portraying Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES and Eva Noblezada of Northwest School of the Arts, named Best Actress for portraying Ariel in FOOTLOOSE, will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City where they will train and compete with other regional winners in the National High School Musical Theater Awards in July.

The other Blumey Awards winners include Wells Fargo Best Musical, Charlotte Christian School for OKLAHOMA, Best Supporting Actor, Central Academy of Arts, TJ Schmidt as Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Best Supporting Actress, Ardrey Kell High School, Kelly Kapur as Ado Annie in OKLAHOMA, Best Featured Performer, Covenant Day School, Evan Bertram as Madame de la Grande Bouche in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Best Overall Direction, Central Academy of Technology and Arts for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Best Ensemble/Chorus, Charlotte Christian School for OKLAHOMA, Best Choreography Execution, Charlotte Christian School for OKLAHOMA, Best Student Orchestra, Providence High School for THE WIZARD OF OZ, Best Costume Creation, Central Academy of Technology and Arts for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Best Lighting Execution, Charlotte Christian School for OKLAHOMA, Best Set Construction, South Point High School for SEUSSICAL and Best Hair and Makeup Design, Central Academy of Technology and Arts for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.

Congratulations go out to all of the high school drama teachers, who work tirelessly to support their students in the shows. The two Schools tied for the most awards were Charlotte Christian School for OKLAHOMA and Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. I have had the pleasure of working with CATA, Drama Teacher, Larry Robinson. He is a dedicated, highly committed teacher, who encourages his students to reach new heights in professionalism for stage production and acting.

This year's Blumey Awards has brought Charlotte area high school theatrical arts programs to an accelerated level. I am looking forward to next year's awards.

Additional support for the Blumey Awards was provided by US Airways and the Leon Levine Foundation.

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