tuned in

Cherished Houston theater awards show for young stars twirls to virtual affair

The beloved Tommy Tune Awards is pivoting this year.

Photo by Melissa Taylor

The horrendous year that was 2020 may have passed, but its effects are still being felt. To that end, a cherished local event put on by Theatre Under the Stars celebrating Houston’s talented young performers is pivoting to a virtual offering this year.

Dubbed the TUTS High School Musical Theatre Celebration, this new event replaces the beloved and annual Tommy Tune Awards program and show, which will not take place this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

The livestreamed event will take place on May 16 on the TUTS Spotlight Webcast, according to a press release. To participate, TUTS is inviting students to submit a video highlighting an innovative way they’ve found to create musical theater art throughout the pandemic, per a release.

Songs must be either an original work or, if it is an existing song in the musical theater canon, performed with piano accompaniment, or a capella. Videos must be between 90 seconds and two minutes in length, and must be submitted by Sunday, March 31. Submissions will be featured on the TUTS Facebook page from April to May.

“Since most schools are unable to produce shows right now, we wanted to find a way to continue to celebrate high school musical theatre,” said Israel Jimenez, TUTS’ director of community engagement. “We’re so excited to honor the creativity and resilience of Houston’s talented students.”

Launched in 2002, the Tommy Tune Awards celebrate musical theater productions in Houston-area schools. The annual awards program traditionally sends industry professionals, serving as adjudicators, to attend the participating high school musical theatre productions, per TUTS. Students compete in multiple categories related to performance and production skills.Ceremonies usually are held at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, allowing nominated schools to perform segments of their productions for a packed house of enthusiastic students, arts educators, families, and arts supporters.

Last May, the event was moved online, where more than 2,300 people viewed the show on Facebook and YouTube.

awards theater kids

taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.

tuned in

Cherished Houston theater awards show for young stars twirls to virtual affair

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taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Houston intel delivered daily.