2023 Basie Awards: See the full list of nominees

They're the top!

Nominees for the 2023 Basie Awards, which honor the best of Monmouth County high school theater, were announced Tuesday night by the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

Winners will be announced during a ceremony, sponsored by Bank of America, on Wednesday, May 24, at the Red Bank theater.

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In their 18th year, the Basie Awards program uses a rubric to evaluate musical and drama productions in 25+ categories, recognizing excellence in everything from acting and directing to set and costume design, choreography, lighting and orchestra. This year, 20 plays and 22 musicals were evaluated by the Basie Awards nomination committee.

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Tickets for this year’s Basie Awards are on sale now at theBASIE.org, the box office (99 Monmouth St., Red Bank) or at 732-842-9000.

DRAMAS & COMEDIES

CAROLE MALIK AWARD OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN IN A PLAY

• Emma Freeman, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Christopher Jones Jr, Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

• Kelly Gemellaro, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Clue"

• Susan Tackas, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

• Kathryn Maslak, Ranney School, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN IN A PLAY

• Catherine Calamusa, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Sukhraj Goraya, Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

• Michael W. Wells II, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

• Robert Rutt, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Clue"

• Alex Dohan, Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN IN A PLAY

• Grace Sullivan, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Kyle Santopadre, Raritan High School, "Almost, Maine"

• Robert Rutt, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Clue"

• Tom Smith and Pete Cusick, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Sean Procyk, Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Sophieann Estrella, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

• Ria Karam, Colts Neck High School, "Don’t Tell Mother"

• Lanie Lombardo, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "The Canterville Ghost"

• Kate Morin, Collier High School, "Tartuffe"

• Charles Wieczorek, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Philip Glen, Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

• Connor Ormsby, Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

• Andrew Parisi, Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

• Andrew Poggi, St. John Vianney High School, "Clue"

• Joshua Ricatti, Colts Neck High School, "Don’t Tell Mother"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Jessica Heitmann, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Sienna Hook, Monmouth Regional High School, "Night Of The Living Dead"

• Annie Kissinger, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Nevaeh Vazquez, Monmouth Regional High School, "Night Of The Living Dead"

• Colleen Yucisin, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Ben Amstislavsky, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Cole Bartolotti, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Sealth Grover, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Emily Rae, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Elizabeth Matthews, Monmouth Regional High School, "Night Of The Living Dead"

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Ava Bruno, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "The Canterville Ghost"

• Adriana Ceciliano, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

• Bella Moitoso, Holmdel High School, "Empowered: How One Girl Scout Nearly destroyed The World’s Economy"

• Racheal O'Neill, St. John Vianney High School, "Clue"

• Anya Tumbleson, Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Jay Fielding Middletown High School South, "Then One Foggy Christmas Eve"

• Kirin Patient, Ranney School, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

• Christian Stone, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "The Canterville Ghost"

• Nico Ware, Collier High School, "Tartuffe"

• Noah Zalika, Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Logan Connor, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Rebecca Grodek, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Leah Marchetti, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Fiona O'Brien, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Kendall Thorner, Red Bank Regional High School, "A Christmas Carol"

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Nate Blodgett, Red Bank Regional High School, "A Christmas Carol"

• Sean Busk, Red Bank Regional High School, "A Christmas Carol"

• Jake Fredericks, Red Bank Regional High School, "A Christmas Carol"

• John Martin, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Shane Schuster, Monmouth Regional High School, "Night Of The Living Dead"

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Nim Boudreau, Middletown High School South, "Then One Foggy Christmas Eve"

• Nora Collard, Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

• Esther Fosu, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

• Anastasiya Vasilenko, Colts Neck High School, "Don’t Tell Mother"

• Julia Weiss, Collier High School, "Tartuffe"

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Evan Callas, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "The Canterville Ghost"

• Danny King, St. John Vianney High School, "Clue"

• James Nardiello, Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

• Brandon Stobie, Ranney School, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

• Jack Youncofski, Matawan Regional High School, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Delaney Byrne, Howell High School, "A Murder Is Announced"

• Victoria Dillon, Howell High School, "A Murder Is Announced"

• Giada Garcia, Howell High School, "A Murder Is Announced"

• Ava Giglia, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Bridget Johnston, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DRAMA - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Samuel Cusson, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Tyler Izzo, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Elliot Maher, Howell High School, "A Murder Is Announced"

• Dominick Sena, Red Bank Regional High School, "A Christmas Carol"

• Theodore Vaysberg, Howell High School, "A Murder Is Announced"

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A COMEDY

• Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

• Colts Neck High School, "Don’t Tell Mother"

• Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

• Ranney School, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

• Red Bank Catholic High School, "Clue"

OUTSTANDING COMPANY IN A DRAMA

• Howell High School, "A Murder Is Announced"

• Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Monmouth Regional High School, "Night Of The Living Dead"

• Red Bank Regional High School, "A Christmas Carol"

• Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY

• Amanda Faria, Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Kathryn Maslak, Ranney School, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

• Jeanne Montano, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Clue"

• Ellen Phillips, Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

• Kimberly Givanna and Richards Robinson, Freehold Township High School, "The Gods Of Comedy"

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

• Christian Brothers Academy, "Rumors"

• Middletown High School North, "The Crucible"

• Ranney School, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

• Red Bank Catholic High School, "Clue"

• Trinity Hall, "These Shining Lives"

MUSICALS

CAROLE MALIK AWARD OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN IN A MUSICAL

• Jacquie Revier and Beck Nisenboym, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Catherine Cleary, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Tara Mahoney, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Laura Mazza, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Jacquie Revier, Monmouth Regional High School, "Chicago"

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN IN A MUSICAL

• John Cholowinski, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Kerry McBride, Manasquan High School, "Mamma Mia"

• Izzy Mingino, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Tom Smith, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Carla Valentino, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN IN A MUSICAL

• Georgina Hicks, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Matthew Leddin, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Sean Procyk, Christian Brothers Academy, "Godspell"

• Robert Rutt, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

• Tom Smith, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

OUTSTANDING SMALL MUSIC ENSEMBLE

• Eric Gross, Freehold High School, "Little Shop Of Horrors"

• Dr. Michael Kabash, Trinity Hall, "Ranked"

• Barbara Klemp, Manasquan High School, "Mamma Mia"

• Jose Maunez, Manalapan High School, "Little Shop Of Horrors"

• Christian Lopez and Sam Ferro, Christian Brothers Academy, "Godspell"

OUTSTANDING MIXED STUDENT + ADULT ORCHESTRA

• David Buckle Jr., Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Amanda Gorfain, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Brian Krajcik, Red Bank Regional High School, "Shrek"

• Andrew Macirowski, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

• Chris Sabol, Monmouth Regional High School, "Chicago"

OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA

• Emma Fretz, Colts Neck High School, "Grease"

• Edward Gattsek, Freehold Township High School, "Mean Girls"

• Anthony Limaldi, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Mike Raguseo, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Christie Riso, Holmdel High School, "The Addams Family"

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION

• Christian Lopez, Christian Brothers Academy, "Godspell"

• Joseph Cantaffa and Cassandra Shields, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Amanda Gorfain, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Peter Isherwood, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Madison Schille, Manasquan High School, "Mamma Mia"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP

• The Urchins, Freehold High School, "Little Shop Of Horrors"

• Shakespeare’s Backup Dancers, High Technology High School, "Something Rotten"

• Merry Murderesses, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• FDR’s Cabinet, Raritan High School, "Annie"

• The Stepfamily, St. John Vianney High School, "Cinderella"

OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL

• Christian Brothers Academy, "Godspell"

• Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

• Doinna Battaliga, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Brittany Cohen, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Kelly Gemellaro, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

• Gina Morrello, Christian Brothers Academy, "Godspell"

• Liza Perna, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Jessica Ardolina, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Rebecca Grodek, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Julianna Magarelli, Colts Neck High School, "Grease"

• Alyssa Pray, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Sophia Rivera, Howell High School, "Matilda"

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL – MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Gemma Formisano, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Connor Naspo, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Connor Olsen, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Bryan Reimertz, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Cooper Stahl, Howell High School, "Matilda"

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Hailey Blum, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

• Mads Fernandez, Neptune High School, "Mean Girls"

• Ava Giglia, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Jessica Heitman, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Shain Stanley, Freehold Township High School, "Mean Girls"

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Sealth Grover, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Aedan Liranzo, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Kei Mallano, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Saverio Renda, Colts Neck High School, "Grease"

• Daniel Stefanski, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL - FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Julie Deltuvia, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Caitlyn Picone, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Henriette Pons, Matawan Regional High School, "Sister Act"

• Julia Senna, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Mia Suarez, Howell High School, "Matilda"

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL - MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE

• Samuel Cusson, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Michael Makar, Red Bank catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

• John Martin, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Charlie Patton, High Technology High School, "Something Rotten"

• Jack Sisk, Red Bank Catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

• Rachel Ciani, Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Amanda Faria, Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Alexis Kozak, Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Marcos Orozco, Christian Brothers Academy, "Godspell"

• Kasiann Sweeney, Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

• Howell High School, "Matilda"

• Middletown High School North, "Les Misérables"

• Middletown High School South, "Chicago"

• Red Bank Catholic High School, "Anything Goes"

• Rumson-Fair Haven High School, "Spamalot"

Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. Reach out on Twitter: @ilanakeller; ikeller@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Basie Awards honor best of Monmouth County high school theater