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Arts & Entertainment

EHS Dominates with 16 FREDDY Nominations for "Phantom"

Cast and crew snag 16 of the 21 nominations for their outstanding performance in "Phantom of the Opera," the most of any school in the area.

Tension and anticipation filled the air in the Emmaus High School auditorium Thursday as members of the cast and crew from the highly acclaimed “Phantom of the Opera” awaited the news of their impending “FREDDY Award” nominations.

After months of blood, sweat and tears, students and staff had hopes of gaining a little recognition for their hard work, although EHS theatre director Jill Kuebler said they’ve “already won.”

“It was very well received by the community. The kids learned so much about working together and pushing themselves to the limit. So whatever happens, I’m just really happy,” Kuebler said. 

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She added that she hoped they would have an opportunity to perform again at the FREDDY’s.

The FREDDY Awards began in 2003 and are often compared to the “Tony Awards” for Broadway performances.

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According to the FREDDY Web site, “The FREDDY Awards program is designed to recognize and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production and performance of musical theatre in local high schools. The three-hour LIVE broadcast includes a stellar opening number, performances by nominated musicals, actors and actresses, and presentation of the 2011 FREDDY Awards in 21 award categories.”

Interestingly, the event is “the only high school musical awards program in the nation that produces a live television show. The telecast has received numerous broadcast awards, including a 2005 Mid-Atlantic EMMY® for Outstanding Performing Arts Program.”

Since the inception of the FREDDY Awards, schools strive to make their musicals as impressive as possible, generating even more interest from the local community.

“Phantom” was completely sold out despite adding a fifth show.

Twenty-nine area high schools are being considered for awards in categories such as “Best Performance by an Orchestra,” “Outstanding Use of Costuming,” “”Outstanding Achievement in Lighting,” “Outstanding Choreography,” and of course the coveted nomination of “Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical.”

Jennifer Pytlewski, the EHS senior who played the role of “Christine Daae,” was nominated for three FREDDY Awards.

“I can’t believe it! I was really excited to get nominated for one, but now I’m up for three!” Pytlewski exclaimed with a smile from ear-to-ear.

Wesley Clerge, who played the role of the infamous “Phantom,” was nominated for the prestigious award of “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.”

“I feel great right now. It’s an unexplainable feeling. I’m just proud and so excited … it’s an amazing experience I can’t describe it,” Clerge said.

The FREDDY Awards will begin at 7 p.m. on Thurs., May 26 at the State Theatre in Easton. WFMZ Channel 69 will broadcast the event live for viewers at home.

EHS’s “Phantom of the Opera” has been nominated for the following awards:

  • Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
  • Outstanding Use of Costuming
  • Outstanding Performance by a Featured Female Ensemble Member: (Kayleigh Jardine as “Madame Giry”)
  • Outstanding Achievement in Lighting
  • Outstanding Chorus
  • Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance: (Jennifer Pytlewski, Ted Swanson in “All I Ask of You”)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: (Julia Wagner as “Carlotta Guidicelli”)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: (Ted Swanson as “Raoul”)
  • Outstanding Use of Scenery
  • Outstanding Choreography
  • Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance: (Jennifer Pytlewski in “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”)
  • Outstanding Stage Crew (In honor of Captain Christopher Seifert)
  • Outstanding Production Number: (“Masquerade”)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: (Wesly Clerge as “The Phantom”)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: (Jennifer Pytlewski as “Christine Daae”)
  • Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
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