PLEASE SILENCE YOUR PHONE. NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. Photos and videos are permissible this evening from your seat. If you need to make or recieve a call, please go to the lobby.
2023 Basie Awards Participants
Christian Brothers Academy, Collier HS, Colts Neck HS, Communications HS, Freehold HS, Freehold Township HS, Henry Hudson HS, High Technology HS, Holmdel HS, Howell HS, Keansburg HS, Manalapan HS, Manasquan HS, Matawan Regional HS, Middletown HS North, Middletown HS South, Monmouth Regional HS, Neptune HS, Ranney School, Raritan HS, Red Bank Catholic HS, Red Bank Regional HS, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional HS, St. John Vianney HS, Trinity Hall
- PROGRAM -
Musical Selection: “Raise You Up” from Kinky Boots the Musical Performed by a cast of performers from many of the participating schools:
Callie Barrett, Nim Boudreau, Abby Brustowicz, Evan Callas, Carly Cavanaugh, Jackson Champeau, Mads Fernandez, Ava Giglia, Lead Marchetti, Fiona O’Brien, Hailey Oswick, Henriette Pons, Logan Ridge, Mia Rodriguez, JP Shimkus, Alex Wang, Cooper Wojtak, Jack Youncofski
Opening Salutation
Evaluator’s Special Award
The Future of High School Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Drama
Nate Blodgett – Red Bank Regional High School – A Christmas Carol
Sean Busk – Red Bank Regional High School – A Christmas Carol
Jake Fredericks – Red Bank Regional High School – A Christmas Carol
John Martin – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Shane Schuster – Monmouth Regional High School – Night Of The Living Dead
Outstanding Supporting Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Drama
Logan Connor – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Rebecca Grodek – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Leah Marchetti – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Fiona O’Brien – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Kendall Thorner – Red Bank Regional High School – A Christmas Carol
Outstanding Supporting Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Comedy
Jay Fielding – Middletown High School South – Then One Foggy Christmas Eve
Kirin Patient – Ranney School – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Christian Stone – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Canterville Ghost
Nico Ware – Collier High School – Tartuffe
Noah Zalika – Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Outstanding Supporting Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Comedy
Ava Bruno – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Canterville Ghost
Adriana Ceciliano – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Bella Moitoso – Holmdel High School – Empowered: How One Girl Scout Nearly Destroyed The World’s Economy
Racheal O’Neill – St. John Vianney High School – Clue
Anya Tumbleson – Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Outstanding Supporting Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Musical
Hailey Blum – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Mads Fernandez – Neptune High School – Mean Girls
Ava Giglia – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Jessica Heitmann – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Shain Stanley – Freehold Township High School – Mean Girls
Outstanding Supporting Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Musical Sealth Grover – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Aedan Liranzo – Middletown High School South – Chicago
Kei Mallano – Howell High School – Matilda
Saverio Renda – Colts Neck High School – Grease
Daniel Stefanski – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Musical Selection: Nominee for Outstanding Production of a Musical A Medley from Anything Goes
Performed by the cast of Red Bank Catholic High School featuring nominee for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Male Identified Role in a Musical Michael Makar
Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
Emma Freeman – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Kelly Gemellaro – Red Bank Catholic High School – Clue
Kathryn Maslak – Ranney School – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Julie McKurth & Susan Takacs – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Noah Shimkus & Ella Skelton – Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
Catherine Cleary – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Tara Mahoney – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Laura Mazza – Middletown High School South – Chicago
Jacquie Revier – Monmouth Regional High School – Chicago
Jacquie Revier & Parker Giachetti – Howell High School – Matilda
Outstanding Set Design of a Play
Katherine Calamusa – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Alex Dohan – Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Sukhraj Goraya & Ian Hoffman – Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Robert Rutt & Carla Valentino – Red Bank Catholic High School – Clue
Michael W. Wells II – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
John Cholowinski – Howell High School – Matilda
Kerry McBride – Manasquan High School – Mamma Mia!
Izzy Mingino – Middletown High School South – Chicago
Tom Smith – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Carla Valentino – Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
Evaluator’s Special Award
Sewing and Growing Creativity
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Connor Nardiello – Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Robert Rutt – Red Bank Catholic High School – Clue
Kyle Santopadre – Raritan High School – Almost, Maine
Tom Smith – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Grace Sullivan – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
Georgina Hicks – Middletown High School South – Chicago
Matthew Leddin – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Connor Nardiello – Christian Brothers Academy – Godspell
Robert Rutt – Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
Tom Smith – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
MUSICAL SELECTION: Female Identified Role LEAD PERFORMER MEDLEY
Caitlyn Picone – “Naughty” Matilda – Howell High School
Henriette Pons – “I Haven’t Got a Prayer” Sister Act – Matawan Regional High School
Mia Suarez – “My House” Matilda – Howell High School
Julia Sienna – “Smell of Rebellion” Matilda – Howell High School
Outstanding Small Music Ensemble
Eric Gross – Freehold High School – Little Shop Of Horrors
Michael Kabash – Trinity Hall – Ranked
Barbara Klemp – Manasquan High School – Mamma Mia!
Christian Lopez & Sam Ferro – Christian Brothers Academy – Godspell
Jose Maunez – Manalapan High School – Little Shop Of Horrors
Outstanding Mixed Student + Adult Orchestra
David Buckle, Jr – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Amanda Gorfain – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Brian Krajcik – Red Bank Regional High School – Shrek
Andrew Macirowski – Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
Chris Sabol – Monmouth Regional High School – Chicago
Outstanding All Student Orchestra
Emma Fretz – Colts Neck High School – Grease
Edward Gattsek – Freehold Township High School – Mean Girls
Anthony Limaldi – Howell High School – Matilda
Michael Raguseo – Middletown High School South – Chicago
Christie Riso – Holmdel High School – The Addams Family
Amy Giinther Fredericks Award for Outstanding Musical Direction
Joseph Cantaffa & Cassandra Shields – Howell High School – Matilda
Amanda Gorfain – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Christian Lopez – Christian Brothers Academy – Godspell
Peter Isherwood – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Madison Schille – Manasquan High School – Mamma Mia!
Outstanding Company in a Drama
Howell High School – A Murder Is Announced
Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Monmouth Regional High School – Night Of The Living Dead
Red Bank Regional High School – A Christmas Carol
Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Outstanding Company in a Comedy
Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Colts Neck High School – Don’t Tell Mother
Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Ranney School – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Red Bank Catholic High School – Clue
Musical Selection: Nominee for Outstanding Production of a Musical “One Day More” from Les Misérables
Performed by the cast from Middletown High School North featuring nominee for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Male Identified Role in a Musical John Martin
Outstanding Featured Ensemble Group in a Musical
The Urchins – Freehold High School – Little Shop Of Horrors
The Bard Boys – High Technology High School – Something Rotten!
Merry Murderesses – Middletown High School South – Chicago
FDR’s Cabinet – Raritan High School – Annie
The Stepfamily – Saint John Vianney High School – Cinderella
Outstanding Chorus in a Musical
Christian Brothers Academy – Godspell
Howell High School – Matilda
Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Middletown High School South – Chicago
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Outstanding Choreorgraphy of a Musical
Donna Battaglia – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Brittany Cohen – Howell High School – Matilda
Kelly Gemellaro – Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
Gina Morrello – Christian Brothers Academy – Godspell
Liza Perna – Middletown High School South – Chicago
OUTSTANDING PLAY MONTAGE:
Performed by the nominated casts from:
These Shining Lives – Trinity Hall
The Crucible – Middletown High School North Rumors – Christian Brothers Academy
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Ranney School
Clue – Red Bank Catholic High School
Arts Impact Scholarship & Awards
Monmouth County Commissioners’ Basie Scholarship for Continuing Education – Olivia Fair Bank of America Power of the Arts Award – Candace Howe
Turner Arts Impact Scholarship – Johanna Lopez
Amy Giinther Fredericks Music Education Scholarship – Samantha Yannarelli
Moser Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship – Arielle Borges
Robert C. Garrett Hackensack Meridian Health Arts Impact Scholarship – Shivani Sahu
Yvonne Lamb Scudiery Arts Impact Scholarship – Stephen Craven / Ziyanah Davis
Monmouth County Commissioners’ Basie Scholarship for Continuing Education – Eleanor Conover
Count Basie Center Arts Impact Scholarship - Gifted by the 2022 Basie Golf Outing – Yana Oliinyk
Count Basie Center Arts Impact Scholarship gifted by Michael Parent – Mikaela Hubbard
Musical Selection: Nominee for Outstanding Production of a Musical
“All That Jazz” from Chicago
Performed by the cast from Middletown High School South featuring nominee for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Female Identified Role in a Musical Julie Deltuvia
Outstanding Featured Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Drama
Ben Amstislavsky – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Cole Bartolotti – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Sealth Grover – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Emily Rae Johns – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Elizabeth Matthews – Monmouth Regional High School – Night Of The Living Dead
Outstanding Featured Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Drama
Jessica Heitmann – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Sienna Hook – Monmouth Regional High School – Night Of The Living Dead
Annie Kissinger – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Nevaeh E. Vazquez – Monmouth Regional High School – Night Of The Living Dead
Colleen Yurcisin – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Outstanding Featured Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Comedy
Philip Glen – Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Connor Ormsby – Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Andrew Parisi – Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Andrew Poggi – St. John Vianney High School – Clue
Joshua Ricatti – Colts Neck High School – Don’t Tell Mother
Outstanding Featured Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Comedy
Sophie Estrella – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Ria Karam – Colts Neck High School – Don’t Tell Mother
Lainie Lombardo – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Canterville Ghost
Kate Morin – Collier High School – Tartuffe
Charles Wieczorek – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Outstanding Featured Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Musical
Gemma Formisano – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Connor Naspo – Howell High School – Matilda
Connor Olson – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
Bryan Reimertz – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Cooper Stahl – Howell High School – Matilda
Outstanding Featured Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Musical
Jessica Ardolina – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Rebecca Grodek – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Julianna Magarelli – Colts Neck High School – Grease
Alyssa Pray – Howell High School – Matilda
Sophia Rivera – Howell High School – Matilda
Musical Selection: Nominee for Outstanding Production of a Musical “Revolting Children” from Matilda
Performed by the cast from Howell High School
Lifetime Achievement Award: Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr.
Musical Selection: Male Identified Role LEAD PERFORMER MEDLEY
Samuel Cusson – “Bring Him Home” Les Misérables – Middletown High School North
Jack Sisk – “Easy to Love” Anything Goes – Red Bank Catholic High School
Charlie Patton – “God, I Hate Shakespeare!” Something Rotten! – High Technology High School
Outstanding Lead Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Drama
Samuel Cusson – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Tyler Izzo – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Elliot Maher – Howell High School – A Murder Is Announced
Dominick Sena – Red Bank Regional High School – A Christmas Carol
Theodore Vaysberg – Howell High School – A Murder Is Announced
Outstanding Lead Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Drama
Delaney Byrne – Howell High School – A Murder Is Announced
Victoria Dillon – Howell High School – A Murder Is Announced
Giada Garcia – Howell High School – A Murder Is Announced
Ava Giglia – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Bridget Johnston – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Outstanding Lead Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Comedy
Evan Callas – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – The Canterville Ghost
Danny King – St. John Vianney High School – Clue
James Nardiello – Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Brandon Stobie – Ranney School – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Jack Youncofski – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Outstanding Lead Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Comedy
Nim Boudreau – Middletown High School South – Then One Foggy Christmas Eve
Nora Collard – Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Esther Fosu – Matawan Regional High School – The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Anastasiya Vasilenko – Colts Neck High School – Don’t Tell Mother
Julia Weiss – Collier High School – Tartuffe
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Amanda Faria – Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Kathryn Maslak – Ranney School – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Jeanne Montano – Red Bank Catholic High School – Clue
Ellen Phillips – Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Kimberly Richardson & Givanna Robbins – Freehold Township High School – The Gods Of Comedy
Musical Selection: Nominee for Outstanding Production of a Musical “Knights of the Round Table” from Spamalot
Performed by the cast from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School
Outstanding Lead Performance for a Female Identified Role in a Musical
Julie Deltuvia – Middletown High School South – Chicago
Caitlyn Picone – Howell High School – Matilda
Henriette Pons – Matawan Regional High School – Sister Act
Julia Sienna – Howell High School – Matilda
Mia Suarez – Howell High School – Matilda
Outstanding Lead Performance for a Male Identified Role in a Musical
Samuel Cusson – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Michael Makar – Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
John Martin – Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Charlie Patton – High Technology High School – Something Rotten
Jack Sisk – Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
Outstanding Production of a Play
Christian Brothers Academy – Rumors
Middletown High School North – The Crucible
Ranney School – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Red Bank Catholic High School – Clue
Trinity Hall – These Shining Lives
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Howell High School – Matilda
Middletown High School North – Les Misérables
Middletown High School South – Chicago
Red Bank Catholic High School – Anything Goes
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School – Spamalot
- Award PresentersDirector Thomas Arnone – Monmouth County Commissioner
Alison Banks-Moore – Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer Horizon for Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Count Basie Center Trustee
Puja Choudhry – Senior Executive at Morgan Stanley and an entrepreneur/co-owner of the #1 Indian Restaurant in Monmouth County, Bombay River Modern Indian Restaurant in Red Bank, Count Basie Center Trustee
Claudia Dulac – Diversity & Inclusion Executive at Bank of America, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer of the Count Basie Center Board of Trustees
Doug Eagles – Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County
Alberto Garofalo – NJ President of Bank of America
Samantha Giustiniani – Senior Director of Education Count Basie Center for the Arts
Vin Gopal – NJ State Senator
Yvonne Grayson – Managing Partner of PE Partners and General Chairperson of the Monmouth County Cotillion Committee, Count Basie Center Trustee
Nancy Karpf – Count Basie Center Trustee
Robin Klein – Human Resources Chair of the Count Basie Center Board of Trustees
Jeremy Grunin – President of the Grunin Foundation & Chairman of the Count Basie Center Board of Trustees
MaryAnn Larkin – Chief Executive Officer of Stillwell-Hansen
Commissioner Ross Licitra – Monmouth County Commissioner & Executive Director of Monmouth County SPCA
Dr. James Marhold – President of Declarations
Gwen Moten – Musical Director Count Basie Center Gospel Choir, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Adam Philipson – President and CEO Count Basie Center for the Arts
Pastor Terrence Porter– Senior Minister Pilgrim Baptist Church
Maggie Riker – Count Basie Center Trustee & Vice Chair of Development
Izzy Sackowitz – Chief Operating Officer Count Basie Center for the Arts
Cathy Pugliese-Sivo – Board President, HABcore
Carol Stillwell – President of Stillwell-Hansen & Count Basie Center Trustee
Fran Turner – Count Basie Center Board of Trustee & Philanthropist
Justin Waldman – Artistic Director of Two River Theater
- Production Staff for the Basie Awards -
Producer ...............................................................................................................................Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, Anthony Greco
Artistic Director......................................................................................................................................................James Grausam
Hosts..........................................................................................................................................Anthony Holiday, Sarah Middough
Technical Director................................................................................................................................................... Michael Jacoby
Stage Manager.......................................................................................................................................................Anthony Greco
Script Writer.........................................................................................................................James Grausam, Yvonne Lamb Scudiery
Lighting Designer..................................................................................................................................................Kyle Santopadre
Follow Spot..........................................................................................................................................Daniel Gibson, Casey Jacoby
Video Projection.................................................................................................................................................Michael Johnstone
Video Director.........................................................................................................................................................Chad Anderson
Video Technician.................................................................................................................................................Michael Johnstone
Deck Crew............................................................Edward Donohue, Christopher Fenn, Alexander Widom, James Krautheim, James Farkas
Fly Operator..............................................................................................................................................................Greg Wilkens
LED Video ......................................................................................................................................................Jay Delp Productions
Sound Design............................................................................................................................ACIR, Justin Odon, Alexander Widom
Award Attendant....................................................................................................................................................Lauren Ruggiero
Musical Director, Conductor, Pianist...................................................................................................................................Joe Wajda
Perscussion................................................................................................................................................................James Mack
Guitar........................................................................................................................................................................Paul Heaney
Bass Guitar...................................................................................................................................................................Chris Lough
Violin .........................................................................................................................................................................Sue Degoey
Photography.......................................................................................................................................................... Amanda Stevens
Green Room Coordinator.............................................................................................................................................Jessica O’Brien
Production Assistants.................................................................................................................................................Olivia Grausam
Production Assistants...................................................................................................................................................Alyssa Kiselev
Production Assistants................................................................................................................................................Dennis Tolentino
Production Assistants...................................................................................................................................................Chris Harrison
Video Producer.......................................................................................................................................................Alexandra Morris
Voiceover ...................................................................................................................................................................Jarrod Scott Graphics .................................................................................................................................................................Andrew Musser
- Special Thanks -
We would like to thank Bank of America for sponsoring tonight’s event.
We would like to thank the Basie Awards evaluators for their time, expertise, and dedication to fostering a love, appreciation and understanding of theatre arts in Monmouth County
In addition, the Count Basie Center for the Arts thanks the Award Presenters for taking time from their busy schedules to participate in this year’s award presentation. We thank them for their continued support of the arts in Monmouth County.
