Last night, the Fourth Annual National High School Musical Theater Awards — known affectionately as the JIMMYs, after living theatre legend James L. “Jimmy” Nederlander — captivated the audience at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.
The night’s charming hosts were Constantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox, stars of the upcoming Broadway-bound tour of “Jekyll & Hyde.”
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
A seven-judge panel, which included Tony Award nominee Montego Glover and casting director Bernard Telsey, chose the winners after watching them perform solos and medleys over Sunday and Monday.
During a whirlwind visit, the 60 teens who made it to New York — 30 girls and 30 boys — got six days of coaching by New York University faculty and Broadway stars including Liz Callaway and recent Tony winner Christian Borle.
On Monday night, all 60 performed excerpts of the songs that they had sung at regional competitions in six large medleys, and then six finalists — three men and three women — were chosen to sing solos.
Elizabeth Romero, 18, from Fullerton, California was named best actress after a passionate “Disneyland,” from SMILE, and an excerpt from “A Little Brains, A Little Talent”; Ms. Romero’s performance from DAMN YANKEES marked the first time a Richard Adler tune has been heard on Broadway since his passing Thursday.
Joshua Grosso, 18, from Tampa received the best actor distinction for his heartfelt “Il Mondo Era Vuoto,” from THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, and an excerpt from “All I Ask of You.”
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
Both also received $10,000 scholarship awards, in addition to the $2,500 received by four finalists — the culmination of a months-long winnowing process that began with 50,000 students from 1,000 schools.
