Here are the winners! 2022 Basie Awards return with a bang

RED BANK - Students stepped onstage Wednesday night to the opening chords of "Magic To Do" from "Pippin," and just like that, the Basie Awards were back.

The annual awards, honoring excellence and achievement in Monmouth County high school theater, took place live for the first time since 2019.

“After two years of improvising and working around the pandemic, we were relieved when we realized this year’s ceremony could be live – and that these schools, and these students, would have the opportunity to stage their productions in front of live audiences,” said Samantha Giustiniani, senior director, education, Count Basie Center for the Arts.

In addition to production awards, the Basies presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ann Marie Miller, director of advocacy and public policy at ArtPride, which serves nearly 200 arts institutions throughout New Jersey.

ArtPride was key in advocating for New Jersey arts organizations to be included in COVID-19 relief and aid programs.

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“(The night) was especially poignant knowing that our Lifetime Achievement recipient, Ann Marie Miller, was there to experience it with us, knowing how hard she and ArtPride worked to ensure that the arts and organizations such as our own could continue to serve in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Jeremy Grunin, chair of the Basie, adding that this year's Basie Awards were a showcase of excellence and perseverance.

Miller said she was delighted to be honored, and saluted all of the students.

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“At ArtPride New Jersey, we will continue our hard work to make sure that public support for the arts is not only appropriated, but valued by our elected officials because government funds make the arts and arts education accessible to all," she said.

Here are the winners of the 2022 Basie Awards:

Dramatic presentations

Carole Malik Award Outstanding Costume Design In A Drama: Debbie Bilotta, Kathy Stewart, Anthony Greco, "Decision Height,"  Marlboro High School

Outstanding Set Design In A Drama: Kyle Santopadre, "Noises Off," Raritan High School

Outstanding Lighting Design In A Drama (tie): Jim Lyle and Anthony Greco, "Decision Height," Marlboro High School; Jessica Amorino, "The Curious Savage," Matawan Regional High School

Outstanding Featured Performer In A Drama: Katie Smith, "Puffs,"  Mater Dei Prep

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama: Esther Fosu, "The Curious Savage," Matawan Regional High School

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama: Tyler Izzo, "Puffs," Trinity Hall

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama (Tie): Sofia Ranucci, "Puffs," Trinity Hall; Amanda Paige Philipson, "Puffs," Trinity Hall

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama: Lucas Wilson, "A Streetcar Named Desire," Red Bank Regional High School

Outstanding Direction In A Drama: Anthony Greco, "Decision Height," Marlboro High School

Outstanding Dramatic Production: "Decision Height," Marlboro High School

Musical presentations

Evaluator’s Special Award: Amya Johnson-Ashe, "Little Shop of Horrors," Monmouth Regional High School

Carole Malik Award Outstanding Costume Design In A Musical: Anthony Greco, "Honk!," Marlboro High School

Outstanding Set Design In A Musical: Ken Dwyer and Jim Vail, "Legally Blonde - The Musical," Mater Dei Prep

Outstanding Lighting Design In A Musical (tie): Jim Lyle and Anthony Greco, "Honk!," Marlboro High School; Jessica Amorino, "A Bronx Tale," Matawan Regional High School

Outstanding Choreography: Tara Mahoney, "A Chorus Line," Middletown High School North

Amy Giinther Fredericks Award For Outstanding Musical Direction: Peter Isherwood, "A Chorus Line," Middletown High School North

Outstanding Small Music Ensemble (tie): Christian Lopez & Nicolas Arena, "13: The Musical," Christian Brothers Academy; Mike Raguseo, "Grease," Middletown High School South

Outstanding All Student Orchestra: Patrick Dalton, "Honk!," Marlboro High School

Outstanding Student/Adult Orchestra: Alan Meeker and Pamela Momyer, "A Bronx Tale," Matawan Regional High School

Outstanding Chorus: "Grease," Middletown High School South

Outstanding Featured Female Performer In A Musical: Jenna Dacquel, "Legally Blonde: The Musical," Mater Dei Prep

Outstanding Featured Male Performer In A Musical: Nicholas Lutz, "Honk!," Marlboro High School

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Musical: Samantha Yannarelli, "Legally Blonde: The Musical," Mater Dei Prep

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Musical (tie): Daniel Stefanski, "A Chorus Line," Middletown High School North; John Paul Shimkus, "13: The Musical," Christian Brothers Academy

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Musical: Amanda Paige Philipson, "Twelfth Night: The Musical," Trinity Hall

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Musical: Samuel Cusson, "A Chorus Line," Middletown High School North

Outstanding Direction In A Musical: Amanda Faria, "A Chorus Line," Middletown High School North

Outstanding Musical Production: "Honk!,", Marlboro High School

Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. She highlights arts advocacy and education, theater fundraisers and more through her column, "Sightlines." Reach out on Twitter: @ilanakeller; ikeller@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 2022 Basie Awards honor Monmouth high school theater, return live