Students from three Peninsula area high schools are nominees for this year’s Rita Moreno Awards, as are students from both schools.
Sponsored by Broadway San Jose and Children’s Musical Theater San Jose, the regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theater from San Mateo County down to Kern County in Southern California. This year, 42 productions from 30 schools across 18 counties were submitted, with 382 students evaluated for their individual performances.
The nominees will compete in front of a panel of judges on Monday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Performers include Tav Gur, nominated for Best Lead Actor for in Sequoia High School’s production of “The Lightning Thief,” and Jasmine Peck, who is in the running for Best Lead Actress for her portrayal of the title character in “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Woodside High School.
Avery Hartman was nominated as Best Supporting Performer for her turn as Mrs. Tottendale in “The Drowsy Chaperone,”and Maddy Fox, who played Clarisse in “The Lightning Thief, ”is also in the running for that award. Also nominated in that category is Sydney Frischer for her performance as Betany in :Once Upon a One More Time” at San Mateo High School.
Winners in the Lead Actor and Lead Actress categories will travel to New York City for the 17th annual Jimmy Awards ceremony, where they will make their debuts on a Broadway stage alongside 114 other students from around the country and vie for awards and scholarships June 12-23.
Tickets for The Rita Moreno Awards are $25 at broadwaysanjose.com/shows/rita-moreno-awards or 408-792-4111, or in person at the San Jose Civic Box Office, 50 W. San Carlos St.