You're going to hear from them

Enthusiatic crowd at Tommy Tune Awards celebrates high school musical theater stars

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 Leading Actor, Ryne Nardecchia as Sweeney Todd in Klein Oak High School's Sweeney Todd: School Edition

Tommy Tune winners April 2013 Best Leading Actor

Photo by © Bruce Bennett Theatre Under the Stars

Best Leading Actor, Ryne Nardecchia as Sweeney Todd in Klein Oak High School's Sweeney Todd: School Edition

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Show business

Federal judge once again strikes down Texas drag show ban

Kristi Waters/ Facebook

San Antonio queen Kristi Waters performs a Selena tribute.

Texas once again cannot enforce its restrictions on some public drag shows after a federal judge declared a 2023 law unconstitutional for the second time.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner initially declared Senate Bill 12 unconstitutional in September 2023 only a few months after it was passed by the Texas Legislature, citing First Amendment violations. More than two years later in November, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unblocked the law and returned the case to Hittner with specific instructions on how to reassess it.

Hittner reaffirmed his ruling Tuesday, August 25, stating in his order that besides removing several plaintiffs and defendants from the lawsuit, the appellate court’s decision “did not disturb” his prior decision declaring SB 12 unconstitutional. The ruling again pauses the law, which had gone into effect in March after the 5th Circuit’s decision.

The ruling described SB 12 as overly broad in its definitions of performance and nudity, stating that provocative cosplay at conventions, swimming athletes, or Dolly Parton and Elvis impersonators could potentially be penalized under the law.

“The vast majority of the law’s numerous applications violate the First Amendment because all the performances that it has an actual impact on are constitutionally protected and are targeted for prohibition based on content and viewpoint,” Hittner wrote.

The suit was originally filed against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, two counties three district attorneys, and one county attorney by two community pride groups, two entertainment groups, and Brigitte Bandit, a drag queen and longtime Texas LGBTQ+ rights activist. After the 5th Circuit’s ruling, the two pride groups were removed as plaintiffs and Paxton was left as the sole defendant, which Hittner said satisfied the higher court’s instructions.

Tiffany Epiphany and Brigitte Bandit Tiffany Epiphany with local celeb and activist Brigitte Bandit at an Austin Pride parade. Photo by Natalie Grigson

“We use our performances to assert liberation, power, and joy with our community,” Bandit said in a statement provided by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, which represented the plaintiffs. “As a lifelong Texan, I’m sick of this state trying to censor art and stoke hatred and violence against drag artists and the LGBTQIA+ community.”

SB 12 as adopted in law contains no language explicitly referencing drag performances, however a previous version while in the Legislature specifically included references to drag. Hittner noted in Tuesday's ruling that opponents of drag performances are not obligated to attend them.

“Finally, for those who find such activities as described in this case offensive, the solution is relatively simple … just don’t go,” he wrote.

Hittner also denied a request from Paxton for a supplemental trial and new discovery in the case. Paxton, in a social media post Tuesday, said his office would seek an appeal to the ruling to protect Texas kids.

“This is a profoundly flawed decision that endangers our children and is an affront to Texas values,” he said.

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This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

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