When the multi-talented students at High Tech High School put on their production of the modernized version of “The Wizard of Oz,” simply titled “Oz” last month, they were hopeful that their efforts would receive recognition from the Paper Mill Playhouse’s Rising Star Awards group, which honors the best high school productions in New Jersey.
Knowing that the nominations were about to be announced last week, the students were filled with nervous anticipation.
“They were checking the Paper Mill’s web site every day over the weekend, thinking the nominations would just appear there,” said Alex Perez, the theatrical arts teacher at the school and the director of the production. “They couldn’t wait to hear the news for real.”
Monday morning, Karol Brancato, the principal at High Tech, received the word and was quick to announce the news to the entire school. Not only was “Oz” recognized as one of the six finalists for the 2002 Rising Star Best Musical, but the production received eight nominations – the most the school had ever received.
Only Hoboken’s production of “West Side Story,” which was also nominated for Best Musical, and New Providence’s production of “The Music Man,” received more Rising Star nominations than the group at High Tech.
“Oz” is one of the six finalists for Best Musical, along with Hoboken’s “West Side Story,” Elizabeth High’s “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” Caldwell High’s “My Fair Lady,” Westfield High’s “Children of Eden,” and Shore Regional’s “Wizard of Oz.”
Perez was nominated for best direction by a teacher or an outside director. Barrie Yanowitz was nominated for best costume design. Perez, Yanowitz and Lorelei Prince were nominated for hair and makeup design. Gio Perez was nominated as best supporting actor for his role as “The Cowardly Lion.”
The students were more than excited in receiving the news.
“Just the fact that our name is there, listed among the best musicals in the state, means a lot to us,” said Frank Criscione, who was “The Scarecrow,” in the production. “No one will ever take that away from us. It is a big honor.”
“It feels like everyone got nominated,” said Elizabeth McAdams, a senior who was the assistant director to teacher Perez. “It was a group effort, so getting these nominations makes it a perfect ending. It’s a wonderful feeling to be recognized as one of the six best in the state. There was so much passion, blood, sweat and tears that went into this show. We all worked so hard and it’s great to see that the people at Paper Mill recognized that.”
Perez said that the entire school was excited about the news.
“When the announcement was made Monday, everyone was cheering,” said Perez, who directed “Little Shop of Horrors” to five Rising Star nominations a year ago. “I think it’s important because we built this show from scratch, from practically nothing, building the sets and everything. And it was all done by the students.”
Added Perez, “Just to be recognized is the reward. It’s an overwhelming feeling. Right now, it’s great, but if we receive the award, that will top it off.”
Criscione said that he was also happy that fellow Hudson County school Hoboken was also honored.
“Hudson County is like the underdog county in the state, and we had two schools nominated,” Criscione said. “Hoboken must have done an awesome job as well. They deserve congratulations.”
Criscione said that he is excited that the cast will be performing one of the numbers from “Oz” as part of the Rising Star Awards presentation on Tuesday, June 11 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Summit.
“I was a little sad when we finished the show, because I thought we were done with the show forever,” Criscione said. “Now, we get to perform another number one last time. That’s so fulfilling.”
As will the chance to be named the best high school musical production in New Jersey.