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    And the winners are. . .

    The high school Oscars, Tonys and . . . Super Bowl? The shrieking wonder of theTommy Tunes

    Joel Luks
    Apr 18, 2012 | 5:32 pm
    • Episcopal High School's production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels earned BestMusical and Best Musical Direction.
    • From left: TUTS president and CEO John Breckenridge, First ever Tommy Tune Awardwinner for Best Actress Stephanie Gibson, Best Supporting Actress Morgan Starr,Tommy Tune, Best Leading Actor Billy Cohen, Best Featured Performer CherylCedillo, Best Supporting Actor Mason Patterson, Best Leading Actress CaitlinFinnie and Tommy Tune Award presenter Manuel Santos.
    • Scholarship winners, from left: Alma Acosta (Elsik High School), Tommy Tune,Nathaly Garcia (Elsik High School), Billy Cohen (Episcopal High School), MonicaBrown (Kingwood High School), Kate Court (Pearland High School), Shelby Stark(Klein High School), Eleonore Verkerk (Stafford High School), Haylee Hoelscher(Houston Christian High School), Elisabeth Del Toro (Friendswood High School),Jeremiah James (Cypress Ranch High School) and TUTS' John Breckenridge.
    • Ruth Denney Scholarship winner Billy Cohen with Tommy Tune and TUTS' JohnBreckenridge.
    • The Tommy Tunes Awards celebrates the blood, sweat and tears of everyone whocontributed to an experience that surely changes the lives of those involved.
      Photo by Bruce Bennett

    ABC 13's Don Nelson hit the nail right on the head when he described the tenor of the Theatre Under the Stars' Tommy Tune Awards as a mélange of Dancing with the Stars, the Super Bowl and the Oscars.

    And MIX 96.5' FM's Ayana Mack was right to say that she was in the company of tomorrow's megastars — in addition to today's celebs like Smash cast member Manuel Santos, who graduated from TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, Broadway diva Stephanie Gibson, who took home the first ever Best Leading Actress Tommy Tune in 2002, and of course industry veteran and National Medal of Arts recipient Tommy Tune, sporting hot pink cowboy tap boots.

    In a video message, first Tommy Best Leading Actor-winner Josh Brener (Glee, The Big Bang Theory and House of Lies) joked that "if not for my mentors in high school, I might have a real job today."

    "Every time I step on a stage, Ruth is with me," an emotional Tune told the audience.

    Someone passing by the Hobby Center for Performing Arts Tuesday evening could have confused the throng of impeccably chic high schoolers with Houston's creme-de-la-creme socialites on their way to a typical black-tie extravaganza. But the brigade of school buses parked nearby told a different story.

    More than 2,500 young actors, actresses, designers, directors, stage hands and their teachers, families and friends from 44 schools flocked from all over the nine county region to partake in the 10th anniversary of the ceremony that champions excellence in high school musical theater.

    Though the moment in the spotlight is gratifying, it is one of the coveted scholarships that students wanted. For the Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress, add an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the Jimmy Awards for a chance to garner a four-year scholarship to New York University.

    And the winners are. . .

    Drum roll please.

    Those top two prizes went to Billy Cohen for his hilarious and theatrical take on Freddy Benson in Episcopal High School's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Caitlin Finnie, whose voice was pristine as Belle in John Cooper School's Beauty and the Beast. Cohen also earned the Ruth Denny Award, the highest honor, named after Tune's influential teacher.

    "Every time I step on a stage, Ruth is with me," an emotional Tune told the audience.

    Episcopal High School's production also earned Best Musical and Best Musical Direction. Klein High School's version of Once Upon a Mattress picked up Best Direction, Best Lighting Design and Best Ensemble / Chorus.

    Individual awards for Best Leading Actor and Actress were given to Friendswood High School's Mason Patterson for his role as Vernon Hines in The Pajama Game, and Klein Oak High School's Morgan Starr for her Smitty in How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Best Featured Performer went to Morton Ranch High School's Cheryl Cedillo for Penny Pingleton in Hairspray.

    The Tommy Tune Awards celebrates the blood, sweat and tears of everyone who contributed to an experience that surely changes the lives of those involved.

    St. John's School's Chicago won Best Choreography, Woodlands High School's Singin' In The Rain collected the Best Orchestra award, Clear Springs High School's The Drowsy Chaperone took home Best Crew & Technical Execution, Friendswood High School's The Pajama Game won Best Scenic Design and Stratford High School's Will Rogers Follies scooped the Best Costume Design prize.

    There was no doubt what school was sitting where in the auditorium. High-decibel cheers, thunderous applause and numerous standing ovations deafened the beginning and ending of some of the musical performances and speeches. And the adults weren't shy to join in the mischief including this reporter, who had no stake in the ceremony.

    By the warm embraces and conversations before, at intermission and post performance, it was clear-cut that the Tommy Tune Awards aren't about establishing winner and loser though.

    Rather, it celebrates the blood, sweat and tears of everyone who contributed to an experience that surely changes the lives of those involved.

    KTRK Ch. 13 will air a two-hour special hosted by Don Nelson on June 3 at noon, featuring behind the scenes interviews and performances from Theatre Under the Stars 10th Annual Tommy Tune Awards.

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    Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this Easter weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Apr 1, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    New Edition
    Photo courtesy of New Edition
    New Edition will perform at the Toyota Center this Saturday.

    It’s Easter weekend, which means lots of people will be gathering with their families for a special brunch.

    For those parents who don’t want to take their kids to another dang Easter egg hunt, several Disney-related happenings are going down this weekend, including a chance to see Disney characters get their Alysa Liu on.

    New Edition
    Photo courtesy of New Edition

    New Edition will perform at the Toyota Center this Saturday.

    Houstonians can also attend a “conspiracy theory night,” a musical adaptation of a beloved summer blockbuster, and live music from Ronnie, Bobby, Johnny, Ricky, and Mike (don’t forget about Ralph)!

    Thursday, April 2

    Mid Main Houston presents First Thursday Block Party
    Let’s see what the folks at Mid Main Houston have geared up this month’s First Thursday Block Party. The Orange Show for Visionary Art is this month’s nonprofit partner. Mermaid Junction, Tarot Bingo, Beetle, and Alex Lambert will provide live music, while DJ Boogie Soul spins in the breezeway. Artist Abigail Simpson will be showing her solo exhibition State of Feeling at Mid Main Gallery. Also, traveling Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell's pop-up Philly Jawn will be serving cheesesteaks at Alley Kat Bar & Lounge, with DJ Flash Gordon Parks serving up tunes. 6 pm.

    Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University presents Opening Reception for Moody Project Wall: Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin
    Celebrate the opening of interdisciplinary artists Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin’s collaborative installation at Moody Project Wall, titled I remember this one time. . . Vaughan and Margolin draw on their joint, research-driven practice, which pieces together fragments of LGBTQ+ history to uncover, reanimate, and share stories that might otherwise be lost. The installation includes personal memories, archival histories, images, objects, and ephemera collected from Rice students and the Houston area. Through Saturday, August 15. 6 pm.

    Doc’s Jazz Club presents Doc’s Presents: Veronica Swift
    Doc’s Jazz Club (located in the historic Montrose building that housed the Tower Theatre) celebrates its half-year milestone and Jazz Appreciation Month with a new concert series set to light up the marquee on Thursday nights. The season begins with a performance by jazz sensation Veronica Swift. A couple Thursdays from now, rising star/former The Voice contestant Wyatt Michael will join forces with The Graeme Francis Orchestra to perform the Sinatra at the Sands live album in its entirety. 7 & 9:30 pm.

    Friday, April 3

    CLASS Bookstore Presents: The Tin Foil Kufi Symposium - April 2026 Edition
    Do you have a conspiracy theory that you’ve wanted to discuss with a group of like-minded crackpots thinkers? Thankfully, CLASS Bookstore now has a monthly night for people to present their theories, no matter how weird or unbelievable they may sound. So, whether you think the Illuminati is real, Tupac and Biggie are lounging on a beach somewhere, or Sydney Sweeney is a government decoy set up to lure dudebros into going MAGA (that’s one been on our minds), you now have a place to call home. 7 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Mr Nobody Against Putin
    Pasha Talankin is a beloved Russian primary-school teacher, mentor, and prankster. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Talankin is forced to promote state-sanctioned messages and is horrified by the transformation of his school and community. He soon becomes an international whistleblower, documenting the rise of militarized children’s groups, repressive laws, and fervent nationalism. Winner of multiple film-festival awards, Mr Nobody Against Putin also won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Academy Awards. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Houston Symphony presents Disney’s Fantasia In Concert
    Let’s say you convinced your fam to see Disney’s 1940 masterwork Fantasia back when you were eight. But since the movie’s music is mostly classical, you dipped out during the dancing-hippos section and never finished watching it. Here's the chance to rectify the situation. Stunning animation will fill the giant screen at Jones Hall while the Houston Symphony brings the soundtrack to life, including favorites like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday).

    Theatre Under the Stars presents Back to the Future the Musical
    Back to the Future, the beloved cinematic classic, is now a Broadway musical. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now, he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future. The production features original music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside hit songs from the movie. 8 pm (7:30 pm Thursday; 2 & 8 pm Saturday; 2 & 7:30 pm Sunday).

    Saturday, April 4

    Disney On Ice: Jump In!
    In Disney On Ice: Jump In!, classic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy use the Magical MousePad to journey into the heart of other Disney tales, including Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 — bringing new characters like Anxiety to the ice for the first time. Audiences will also see Stitch from Lilo & Stitch, the bustling metropolis of Zootopia, the icy realms of Frozen, the playful universe of Toy Story, the vibrant world of Encanto, and Disney princesses like Ariel, Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Tiana. 11 am, 3 & 7 pm (7 pm Thursday; 11 am, 3 & 7 pm Friday; 3 pm Sunday).

    Karbach Brewing Co. and Space Center Houston present Space News & Brews
    Karbach Brewing Co. will team up with Space Center Houston for an unforgettable afternoon of craft beer and cosmic conversation. Mingle with fellow space enthusiasts and enjoy an exclusive ask-me-anything session with NASA astronaut Toni Antonelli and space expert Chris Matty. Attendees will be able to immerse themselves in a pub-style discussion with space experts about important space science and exploration news they may have missed, plus what’s coming up that they'll want to learn about. 2 pm.

    Cactus Music presents George Ducas – In-Store Performance
    Galveston-born, Grammy-nominated country singer George Ducas has had multiple Billboard chart hits, including his signature breakout “Lipstick Promises," and has even written hit records for all-timers like George Jones, Garth Brooks, The Chicks, and Trisha Yearwood. After dropping his 2024 effort Long Way From Home, Ducas is now that person moving the sound forward, while always respecting what has come before him. He’ll be performing songs from Home and others during a live performance at Cactus Music this weekend. 3 pm.

    New Edition in concert with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton
    The New Edition Way Tour brings together three of music’s most enduring and influential acts: New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton. The concert celebrates music, legacy, and connection, offering fans an opportunity to experience the legendary artists performing together. New Edition stands as the ultimate supergroup, paving the way for the modern boy band phenomenon that inspired groups like New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, and the K-pop phenomenon. 8 pm.

    Sunday, April 5

    Bunnies on the Bayou 47
    Bunnies on the Bayou returns to Sesquintennial Park in downtown Houston, celebrating its 47th year with a bold affirmation of life, love, and collective power under the 2026 theme, Resistance in Bloom. The park will transform into an outdoor celebration of music, movement, and community. People can expect live DJs on the main stage, dancing, sponsor activations, drinks, food for purchase, and shared moments that remind us why gathering still matters. This is a 21+ event with no exceptions. 1 pm.

    Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown presents Zootopia 2
    Hop on over to Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown for an Easter celebration that’s big on magic and even bigger on fun. Enjoy the springtime atmosphere at the outdoor venue, where kids get to meet the Easter Bunny when the doors open. It all leads up to a rooftop screening of the recent hit sequel Zootopia 2, featuring everyone’s favorite bunny detective, Judy Hopps. Seating is first-come-first-serve, and no outside food or drink allowed. 3 pm.

    Houston Polo Club 2026 Season
    The Houston Polo Club returns with world-class play, champagne moments, and a social scene unlike anywhere else in the city. Its 2026 season features 10 spring matches and 10 fall matches, each of which features a player parade, expert announcing, live music, a champagne divot stomp at halftime, and a special trophy presentation. Things will kick off this weekend with the Spring Cup, where kids can bring their Easter baskets for a candy toss at halftime. 5 pm.

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