PRHS Earns Four Gene Kelly Awards

 The cast, crew and orchestra of Pine-Richland High School’s (PRHS) production of “Seussical the Musical” earned four Gene Kelly Awards. 

Presenters announced the awards during the annual CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Programs on May 24, 2008 at the Benedum in Downtown Pittsburgh. 

PRHS earned Best Musical/Budget III, Best Ensemble and Best Costume Design awards.  In addition, Cody Hoellerman earned a Best Actor award for his portrayal of the “Cat in the Hat”. This is the school’s third Best Musical Award and fourth Best Musical Award out of the past five years.   

In all, PRHS received 11 nominations in this year’s program. In addition to Best Musical/Budget III, Best Ensemble, Best Costume Design and Best Actor nominations, PRHS earned nominations for best: Set Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Orchestra Direction, Choreography, Actress/ Lauren Gigliotti (Gertrude) and Best Supporting Actress/Arielle Katcher (Mayzie). 

PRHS graduate and Musical Director Tim Marquette, who took over for retiring Lou Valenzi, was pleased by this year’s nominations and awards.“We are so proud of all the hard work the kids put into the musical this year,” said Marquette. “We are so honored for the chance to have the kids featured in a performance on the stage of the Benedum.”

 

Musical Producer Carole Rost said she got to see several really terrific high school musicals this year, so she was especially proud that PRHS was acknowledged in so many areas.

“We are very pleased that so many students from all areas of the musical were recognized,” said Rost.

For information on last year’s nominations/awards, visit: http://www.wpxi.com/entertainment/13237452/detail.html.