20th Annual Henry Mancini Arts Musical Theatre Awards Ceremony on May 21

MIDLAND, Pa., May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On May 21, the 20^th Annual Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. These awards recognize individual artistry and honor the dedication and professionalism of students and educators and their schools' commitment to performing arts education. Nominations for awards for outstanding student achievement in musical theatre include 112 students from 26 schools in Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence Counties.

Tickets for the awards ceremony are on sale now for $10 and can be purchased online at www.lppacenter.org. People also may order tickets by calling the box office during the normal business hours of 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday at (724) 576-4644, and choosing option two. Tickets are also available at the box office in Midland during normal business hours.

The awards ceremony will feature invited performances from the productions of Ambridge Area High School, Beaver County Christian School, Beaver Falls Area High School, Central Valley High School, Hopewell Area High School, Riverside High School and Rochester Area High School. Classic Henry Mancini numbers will be showcased by the Mancini Dancers and local recording artist Carla Bianco. Mrs. Ginny Mancini will be in attendance and will make an honoree presentation to those who have greatly influenced the Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards over the years. Founders Lori and Phil Wimer, Tim Smith, and Chris Camp Glover will be honored for creating a program that provides community-wide recognition for the hardworking and talented students involved in high school musical theatre. Glover said, "I speak for all of the founders in saying how happy we are that the Mancini Awards have continued and grown into such a wonderful program today. We wish all the best to those involved with the awards as Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center continues this wonderful tradition."

Additionally, a lifetime achievement award will be presented to Mr. Phil Inman for his outstanding contributions to local musical theatre programs. Inman was the first director in the United States to bring licensed amateur musical theatre to the high school stage with his 1964 production of "My Fair Lady" at Rochester Area High School. He has been a leader in music education in Beaver County and a major advocate for the arts in education. His award will be presented by former student Ray Rotuna, who worked at Steinway & Sons for many years and is very active as a consultant in the music industry today.

Former honorees will serve as awards presenters, including Steve Lowry of Riverside. "The Mancini Awards Ceremony process is arguably the highlight of a high school performer's career. I remember how exciting it was to be a part of such a professional and high energy experience," said Lowry. "With the high levels of excellence the center offers at each and every event, these Mancini Awards are bound to be memorable. I'm completely honored and blessed to have the opportunity to be a small part of this celebration of local talent. I'm grateful for my high school Mancini memories and can't wait to see this next generation of performers experience their Mancini Awards at the Center."

The Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards are also establishing two scholarship opportunities that will be available to students beginning next year. Nominated students who will major in the arts will be able to apply for the Phil Inman Scholarship, with a lead gift from Dr. Emma Rocco, and the Henry Mancini Scholarship. "Keeping Henry Mancini's legacy alive through these awards is so important for our community," said Gavan Pamer, the center's artistic director. "Not only are we proud to carry this great tradition on, but we're excited to add even more great opportunities for students in the years to come."

The nominees for Outstanding Overall Production are Beaver County Christian School, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Laurel High School, "West Side Story;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" and Seneca Valley High School, "The Wizard of Oz."

The nominees for Outstanding Overall Performance are Beaver County Christian School, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" New Brighton Area High School, "Crazy for You;" and Shenango High School, "Bye, Bye Birdie."

The nominees for Outstanding Technical Execution are Beaver County Christian School, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Freeport Area Senior High School, "Anything Goes;" Laurel High School, "West Side Story;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" Portersville Christian School, "The Sound of Music;" Riverside High School, "Annie;" and Western Beaver High School, "Shrek the Musical."

The nominees for Outstanding Choreography Execution are Ambridge Area High School, "Peter Pan;" Beaver County Christian School, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" Butler Senior High School, "Li'l Abner;" Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" New Brighton Area High School, "Crazy for You;" and Shenango High School, "Bye, Bye Birdie."

The nominees for Outstanding Ensemble are Ambridge Area High School, "Peter Pan;" Beaver County Christian School, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" Butler Senior High School, "Li'l Abner;" Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" New Brighton Area High School, "Crazy for You;" and Shenango High School, "Bye, Bye Birdie."

The nominees for Outstanding Vocal Ensemble are Beaver County Christian School, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" Blackhawk High School, "Titanic;" Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Knoch High School, "Once Upon a Mattress;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" New Brighton Area High School, "Crazy for You;" and Riverside High School, "Annie."

The nominees for Outstanding Community Engagement are Central Valley High School, "Shrek the Musical;" Ellwood City Area School District, "The Wizard of Oz;" Freedom Area High School, "The Wizard of Oz;" Laurel High School, "West Side Story;" Neshannock High School, "The Pajama Game;" and Riverside High School, "Annie."

The nominees for Outstanding Student Orchestra are Beaver Area High School, "The Wiz;" Blackhawk High School, "Titanic;" Butler Senior High School, "Li'l Abner;" Knoch High School, "Once Upon a Mattress;" Mars Area High School, "Footloose;" Moniteau High School, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown;" and Portersville Christian School, "The Sound of Music."

The nominees for Outstanding Leading Actor are Patrick Tyson-Tom Sawyer, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," Beaver County Christian School; Nick Wilson-Donkey, "Shrek the Musical," Central Valley High School; Joseph Cortez-Scarecrow, "The Wizard of Oz," Ellwood City Area School District; Robbie Raso-Lion/Zeke, "The Wizard of Oz," Freedom Area High School; Jacob Blank-Tony, "West Side Story," Laurel High School; George Burnet-Pippin, "Pippin," Quigley Catholic High School; Jonathan Baktay-Scarecrow/Hunk, "The Wizard of Oz," Seneca Valley High School; and Christian Davis-Albert Peterson, "Bye, Bye Birdie," Shenango High School.

The nominees for Outstanding Leading Actress are Maddie Genre-Peter Pan, "Peter Pan," Ambridge Area High School; Skylar Ruth-Daisy Mae, "Li'l Abner," Butler Senior High School; Hannah Starcher-Fiona, "Shrek the Musical," Central Valley High School; Kianna Skal-Belle, "Beauty and the Beast," Hopewell Area High School; Abby Shepherd-Anita, "West Side Story," Laurel High School; Carly Edman-Babe Williams, "The Pajama Game," Neshannock High School; Britney Yauger-Maria Rainer, "The Sound of Music," Portersville Christian School; and Rachel Carmella-Dorothy Gale, "The Wizard of Oz," Seneca Valley High School.

The nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor are Chase Uram-Marryin' Sam, "Li'l Abner," Butler Senior High School; Matty Conway-Riff, "West Side Story," Laurel High School; T.J. Pieffer-Willard Hewitt, "Footloose," Mars Area High School; Christian Na-Hines, "The Pajama Game," Neshannock High School; James Mangiapane-Max Detweiler, "The Sound of Music," Portersville Christian School; and Derek Gieraltowski-Archie, "13," Slippery Rock Area High School.

The nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress are Brianna Lubic-Tiger Lily, "Peter Pan," Ambridge Area High School; Cierra Ritzert-Holly, "The Wedding Singer," Karns City High School; Addy Albert-Jester, "Once Upon a Mattress," Knoch High School; Gabriella Giangiuli-Gladys, "The Pajama Game," Neshannock High School; Grace Henderson-Elsa Schraeder, "The Sound of Music," Portersville Christian School; Emily Smith-Catherine, "Pippin," Quigley Catholic High School; and Marisa Taormina-Dragon, "Shrek the Musical," Western Beaver High School.

The nominees for Outstanding Noteworthy Individual are Rachel Tyson-Widow Douglas, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," Beaver County Christian School; Anthony Ballestrino-Evil Eye Fleagle, "Li'l Abner," Butler Senior High School; Julia Aloisi-Young Fiona, "Shrek the Musical," Central Valley High School; Evan Downing-Action, "West Side Story," Laurel High School; Jordann Versaw-Cowgirl Irene, "Footloose," Mars Area High School; Hannah Clifford-Urleen, "Footloose," Mars Area High School; Bailee Smoot-Poopsie, "The Pajama Game," Neshannock High School; Grant Weaver-Prez, "The Pajama Game," Neshannock High School; Adam Arent-Perkins, "Crazy for You," New Brighton Area High School; Elizabeth Coder-Lily St. Regis, "Annie," Riverside High School; Heather Tame-Heather, "Godspell," Rochester High School; Paige Cassela-Ursula Merkle, "Bye, Bye Birdie," Shenango High School; Josh Bonnici-Gabriel's Trumpet, "Anything Goes," Wilmington Area High School.

The nominees for Outstanding Noteworthy Group are Pirates, "Peter Pan," Ambridge Area High School; Dog Patch Wives, "Li'l Abner," Butler Senior High School; Fairytale Characters, "Shrek the Musical," Central Valley High School; Three Blind Mice, "Shrek the Musical," Central Valley High School; Munchkins, "The Wizard of Oz," Ellwood City Area High School; The Crows, "The Wizard of Oz," Freedom Area High School; Table 9 Misfits, "The Wedding Singer," Karns City High School; Male Ensemble, "The Pajama Game," Neshannock High School; Orphans, "Annie," Riverside High School; 'By My Side,' "Godspell," Rochester High School; Shriners, "Bye, Bye Birdie," Shenango High School; and Brett's Boys, "13," Slippery Rock Area High School.

For more information, contact Laura Humbert, Director of Media, at [email protected] Or 724.365.8028

SOURCE Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center