Count Basie Theatre board member (and Basie Awards host) Siobhan Fallon-Hogan, Education Director Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, and CEO Numa Saisselin at April's announcement of this year's nominees.
The Basies, as they've come to be called, are given out each spring to the casts and crews of musicals and dramatic productions from participating schools all over Monmouth County. This year's ceremony saw students and faculty from 16 public and private schools compete in more than 30 categories.
Shakespeare's tragedy of star-crossed lovers proved a charm for its cast, with RBR drama coach Joe Russo's 2008 production netting Basies for Jazmyn Poole (supporting actress in a drama), Tim Patten (a shared award for lead actor in a drama) and Phoebe Ryan (another shared award, for lead actress in a drama).
The big winners of the night were Wall High School's presentation of Moliere's Tartuffe (four awards, including outstanding drama roduction) and — with six big Basies, including outstanding musical production, the Howell High School staging of On the Town.
Red Bank Regional's Millie was also nominated in the categories of director (Russo), lead actor (Chambers), musical director (Kristopher Zook) and supporting actor (David Smolokoff).
Red Bank Catholic's musical production of The Wiz received nominations for choreographer Kelly Gemellaro, and for the ensemble known as the Emerald City Residents.
A complete list of winners is to appear on the Count Basie Theatre website by week's end.
