Think of the Tommy Tune Awards as an event somewhere in between prom, the Academy Awards and a raucous rock concert thronged by impeccably dressed, rowdy teenagers with absolutely no inhibitions. The yearly affair, hosted by Theatre Under the Stars, recognizes exceptional musical theater at the high school level, and bestows cash scholarships to students that excel in the genre.
Surely many of those present will recall this gathering with fondness as these rising celebs take on the show biz industry. As emcee Sarah Pepper of Hot 95.7 FM noted, "We will say we knew them when . . . "
More than 2,500 parents, youngsters and educators took over the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Tuesday for the 11th annual ceremony, sponsored by The Brown Foundation and ConocoPhillips, which offered tuneful vignettes of the eight shows nominated for best musical, mashups spotlighting the nominees for best supporting and leading actors and actresses, and a delightful rendition of "Applause, Applause" by the evening's namesake, Texas-native and Lamar High School-graduate Tommy Tune.
Call it a coincidence or fate inscribed in stone. When Tune was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994, it was next to and John Huston and Texas Guinan. H(o)uston, Texas? How serendipitous.
There was no mistaking the whereabouts of each of the 45 schools in the theater. Every announcement of their respective alma maters was welcomed with clamor so loud, not even amplification could help the evening's speakers, including host Jim Bernhard, actress Carrie Adamian, KUHT’s Ernie Manouse, KUHT's St. John Flynn, ABC 13's Bob Slovak, Miller Outdoor Theatre's Cissy Segall Davis, Humphreys School of Musical Theatre graduate Michelle DeJean and Scholarship Committee chair Amy Pierce, be heard delivering their thoughtful messages.
Keep an eye out for Kerr High School's Melissa Ramos, whose Kate Monster in Avenue Q - School Edition blew away the audience with vocals as big as the Lone Star State.
G. W. Carver Magnet High School brought the house down with a gospel ensemble number from The Color Purple during which sassy dancing, feathered costumes and mature vocals reached beyond their years. Adding soulful prowess to that performance were leading guy and gal Alric Davis and Delaney Williams.
But ultimately, it was Pearland High School's South Pacific that took home the big kahuna prize of Best Musical.
Klein Oak High School's Ryne Nardecchia, who we first met in the cast of Kissless, let his emotions run wild when he was awarded Best Leading Actor for the title role in Sweeney Todd: School Edition. Alongside Allison Anderson of Pearland High School, he will travel to New York in July to compete in The National High School Musical Theater Awards, with all travel expenses underwritten by TUTS.
Morgan Starr of Klein Oak High School received the Ruth Denny Award scholarship, endowed in honor of Tune's music teacher at Lamar High School. Keep an eye out for Kerr High School's Melissa Ramos, whose Kate Monster in Avenue Q - School Edition blew away the audience with vocals as big as the Lone Star State.
Among the 45 participating schools were Stratford High School (Best Direction for Crazy for You), Klein High School (Into the Woods), Second Baptist School (On the Town), Episcopal High School (Best Lighting Design for Seussical) and Clear Springs High School (Curtains).
A Tommy Tune Awards special is scheduled to air on ABC Ch. 13 on June 9 at noon.
Best Featured Performer, Stephen Louis as Christopher Belling in Clear Springs High School's Curtains, with Tommy Tune, left, TUTS artistic director Bruce Lumpkin and president and CEO John C. Breckenridge
