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."

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.

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.