Local schools pick up trophies

TOM TITUS

Two local high schools produced the same musical this year, while a

third put on two tuneful shows. All three were recognized at the

recent 35th annual Music and Arts Commendations for Youth awards

program at Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium.

“Seussical, the Musical,” a fantasy featuring the characters

created by Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, was the bill of fare at

Corona del Mar and Estancia high schools. Although Estancia exited

the awards program at the last minute, several of its performers were

recognized by the judges.

Newport Harbor High School, meanwhile, spent an industrious season

demonstrating “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and

then proving that “Anything Goes.” Both musicals came in for their

share of honors.

Newport Harbor earned awards in the highest achievement category.

Sharz Aletaha and David Miller captured those trophies, along with

the ensemble, all for “How to Succeed.”

Other winners in the big-business spoof were Andrew Gruver and

Vanessa Lewis for outstanding achievement; Thomas Folson, Robert

Krattli, David McMahon, Holly Stanton and Matthew Williams for

achievement, and three bright spot cameo award winners -- Megan

Cross, Stephanie Sanchez and Lacey Wood.

Aletaha and Miller were honored, along with Gruver, for their

outstanding achievement in “Anything Goes.” Shane Cervantes, Sarah

Kone, Robert Krattli and Chelsea Whitfield earned achievement

ribbons, while Holly Stanton took a bright spot for her efforts.

Corona del Mar’s “Seussical” -- which won the Childress Award as a

favorite of founder Lee Childress -- also collected highest

achievement honors. These went to Jackie Colgate, Maggie Donnelly,

Robby Dyess, the school’s ensemble and the orchestra.

Drew Murtaugh captured an outstanding achievement trophy for his

performance as Horton the elephant, while John Trevor Gladych,

Allison Lobel and Ali Ross all earned achievement ribbons. Devin

Murtaugh won special recognition, while Curtis Converse, Brittany

Koziara, Austin Martin and Garrett Prechel were cited as bright spot

winners.

At Estancia, the school’s production of “Seussical” resulted in

outstanding achievement awards for Hiranya Keenawinna, Muriel Mason,

Michael Fennessey and Kaylie Gordon.

Erin Braswell and Shane Thompson shared achievement honors. Other

Estancia students cited were Caley-Ryan Carr for special recognition,

and Nolan Carr, Donovan Henrickson and Clayton Mills as bright spots.

The top prize of the afternoon, dubbed the MACY, was awarded to

Lutheran High School of Orange County for its production of “The

Secret Garden.” The show was one of 16 from which excerpts were

performed at the awards ceremonies.

The awards were created in 1971 by Lee and John Childress as a

method of recognizing musical talent in Orange County high schools.

John Childress died a week before last year’s ceremony, but his widow

has carried on with the tradition and was given two standing ovations

at the 2005 ceremonies.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.